A look at some key developments in fisheries and agriculture sectors in 2022 |30 December 2022
Consumers buying local produce
The year 2022 has been a very active and fruitful one for the fisheries and agriculture sectors during which efforts have been stepped up to protect different marine species, restart prawn production on Coetivy as well as kick start agriculture on the outer islands with foreign assistance and in order to encourage local poultry productions, new measures to control imports have been announced to take effect during the new year.
Efforts to protect stocks
The shortened lobster fishing season closed in February 2022, whereby a significant decrease in the net catch was recorded. A total catch of 2045 kilograms was recorded compared to 6140 kilograms the previous season. In fact, the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) seized a substantial amount of lobsters from a commercial establishment on La Digue on November 26.
In October a complete ban on the white-teat fish, a sea cucumber species was announced for the 2022-2023 season. However, the SFA announced that the golden sandfish can be exploited for the season.
The SFA commenced the first-ever mud crab assessment in September, in a bid to establish the population and abundance of the species and to look at its potential for aquaculture. The species is highly sought due to its size and dense meat content.
Fisheries agreements
Seychelles and the European Union (EU) concluded renegotiations in June, allowing eight Seychellois-flagged vessels to fish in the territorial waters of Mayotte, an Indian-Ocean French department. The agreement takes effect on January 1, 2023, and is for a six-year timeframe.
A new fisheries agreement with Taiwan is set to come into effect on January 1, 2023, government announced in November. The accord provides for a new licensing framework, license fees which have been revised upwards, and provisions for the vessels to make at least one port call in Seychelles annually.
Mahé Plateau regulations come into force
The Fisheries (Mahé Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations, 2021, under the Fisheries Act (2014) came into full force on October 1.
Among the regulations is a ban on catching and the sale of red snappers and green job fish measuring 32 centimetres in length, as well as a limit to the number of traps allowed per commercial fishing boat, and bag limit on the catch for commercial, recreational, competition sport or sport fishers.
New community facilities for fishermen
Excavation works to open a channel for fishing boats at Anse à la Mouche was completed by March, following concerns of fishers and boat owners in the area about difficulties in loading in unloading their vessels during low-tide. Funded by the EU under the Sectoral Support Fun, the project amounted to R2,285,514.00
The Glacis fish market, funded under the EU-Seychelles sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement was officially opened in May. At a cost of R354,651, the market and parking space was requested by the thirty plus active fishermen who land their fish at the site.
The Cascade community also got their new facility in early October. The project was initiated by the SFA in 2019, with the support of the EU and boasts 12 gear stores, a fish market and fish cleaning area, landing shed, a fish shop, three gear shops and two offices.
Fire destroys seven artisanal boats at Providence fishing port
The year ended on a bad note for the fishing community as seven semi-industrial boats were completely destroyed by fire at the Providence fishing port during the morning of Monday December 5. Panic spread across the port as fishers and staff of the SFA scrambled to safety, amid as the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) battled against intense flames, in a bid to control the fire and stop it from spreading to the facility’s fuel depot.
Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Designated Minister Jean-Francois Ferrari vowed to his ministry’s collaboration with SFA to assist the boat owners with their insurance claims, among other technical help and assistance to boat owners as well as fishermen who are not insured. The SFRSA is yet to come out with an investigative report on the incident.
Retired fishermen recognised
A group of retired and current artisanal fishermen who practiced fishing without the aid of technology, among whom some have passed away, were recognised by President Wavel Ramkalawan for their contribution to the development of the fishing industry. They were presented with tokens of appreciation in a ceremony held at State House on November 25, 2025.
Speaking to the press, the Minister for Fisheries Jean-François Ferrari said his ministry along with the SFA and other partners are working to raise the status of fishermen in the country and also finding ways to make their lives as easy as possible and more comfortable.
IDC restarts prawn farming on Coetivy
The Island Development Company (IDC) has already started its prawn farming pilot project on Coetivy Island with the arrival early December of a first batch of 150,000 white leg shrimp post-larvae, imported by air freight from Singapore.
Once fully operational, the company is expected to produce up to 200 tons of prawns annually for local consumption only.
Agriculture
Agriculture development on the outer islands to get international support
The IDC said it is forging ahead with its plan to develop the agricultural sector on the outer islands and mass-produce vegetables for local consumption. The IDC is seeking Israel’s assistance to develop the agricultural project as their climate is similar to that of Seychelles, albeit warmer and drier. The IDC has held talks with three major companies offering consultancy services as well as suppliers in the agricultural sector. This included Netafim, a company that supplies irrigation equipment such as drippers.
Anse à la Mouche agricultural community gets big boost
Farmers registered with the Local Food Producers Association (LFPA) from the Anse à la Mouche community started benefitting from the free services of an excavator and tractor, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the GEF small grant programme in February.
During World Food Week in October, the community also got its own market, also realised by the LFPA, with the help of the GEF grant fund, the Ridge to Reef, the department of agriculture and AGRISUD.
Seychelles and FAO draft antimicrobial resistance action plan
Seychelles and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) teamed up in September to draft an antimicrobial resistance action plan, towards analysing and detecting antimicrobials in the food and agricultural sectors. The plan sets out the actions to address antimicrobial resistance.
Combating pests
Following numerous complaints about the damage caused by the fall armyworm on sweet corn production, the National Biosecurity Agency (NBA) launched an on-farm research and trial, at Val d’Andorre from March to May. The findings for the successful management of the pest were presented to farmers, during a field day.
Seychelles is gearing up to release some 19.2 million sterile male melon flies in March of 2023, with the aim of reducing the population of the pest, whilst boosting the quality and quantity of production.
The pilot project is to be undertaken at Anse Boileau over 12 weeks, and means farmers will be able to reduce pesticide use.
Measures to curtail poultry imports announced
Government on December 20 announced a series of measures towards curtailing poultry imports and boosting local production and sales. Set to take effect as of January 2023, measures include temporary volume restrictions of the 15 plus importers, the imposition of consumption dates on both locally-produced and imported meat, and stricter documentation for imported products towards improved traceability.
Compiled by Laura Pillay
