Seychelles Fishery Improvement Plan - status of yellow fin tuna in the Indian Ocean considered an urgent issue requiring immediate action
April 18, 2016
The Seychelles Government hosted the second round of meetings for the discussion of the Indian Ocean tuna Fisheries Improvement Project (FIP, from the 5th to the 6th April 2016, at the Savoy Hotel.
The FIP is scheduled for launch at the end of 2016 under the guidelines and supervision of both local and international ENGOs.
The need for FIPs arises from government and stakeholders aiming to achieve Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification for its key fishery. Certification is increasingly seen as a benchmark for sustainability in fisheries.
While the FIP aims to produce measurable fisheries improvements over a 5-year time frame, the status of yellow fin tuna in the Indian Ocean was considered an urgent issue requiring immediate action. In late 2015, the Scientific Committee of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission found that this stock was overfished and subject to overfishing. Therefore, the meeting was an opportunity to discuss proposed conservation and management measures aimed at rebuilding stocks that will considered at the forthcoming meeting of the Commission.
Discussions were mainly focused on finding consensus and agreement on the development of a multi-stakeholder approach for the implementation of the FIP and agreement on the concrete action plans which will form the basis of the FIP.
The forum is expected to deliver a fully approved, functional FIP plan that should be implemented towards the end of the year. The project’s main milestones and goals will be made public once agreement is reached regarding the programme’s governance structure and the necessary funding is secured.
The government of the Seychelles, through its Finance, Trade and Blue Economy Minister, Mr. Jean-Paul Adam, clearly emphasised the importance of maintaining healthy fish stocks, tuna in particular, as it is a foundation for the blue economy having driven much of the countries growth over the three decades.
During the opening session Minister Adam reiterated the government’s commitment to continue to make all necessary efforts to promote initiatives and implement practical measures aimed at ensuring the sustainable exploitation of its fisheries resources.
The participants expressed their appreciation of the Seychelles Government’s facilitation of the meeting.
Present in the meeting were all relevant stakeholders, from representatives of government and Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations to fish processors, boat owners and their agents, both national and international. The meeting was also attended by Mauritius and the European Union, while local representatives included the Fishing Boats Owners Association, CEPs and Seychelles Fishing Authority.