SFA launches new website, showcases successes |29 August 2014

To coincide with its 30th anniversary on August 31, the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) yesterday launched its new revamped website and hosted an exhibition showcasing its achievements.

It was the Minister for Natural Resources Peter Sinon who had the honour of officially launching the website and declaring the exhibition opened in the presence of Vice-President Danny Faure, principal secretary for Natural Resources Michel Nalletamby, chairperson of SFA Philippe Michaud, SFA’s chief executive Finley Racombo, SFA board members and staff and other guests.

The exhibition entitled ‘The Past, Present and Future’, showcases the beginning of SFA and where it is now as well as its plans for the future.

Guests viewed the exhibition with Bernadette Gilles, SFA’s documentation officer, as their guide.

“When it all started 30 years ago very few knew about us. Today, 30 years later, we are not only known but is assuming leadership position in sustainable fisheries practices and for quality of our fisheries products in the region,” said Minister Sinon when addressing the invitees.

Minister Sinon urged the SFA to “strengthen its ties with local fishermen and other local partners and to encourage reporting and the taking of collective responsibilities to safeguard our natural maritime resources leading to more effective and decisive actions to counter Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)”.

Minister Sinon took the opportunity to thank all the people who have helped in one way or another in the development of the fisheries sectors in Seychelles.

Speaking to the press Mr Michaud said: “SFA has made several achievements; the major achievement is the fishing port infrastructure. We are assuring that Port Victoria becomes the most important tuna fishing port in the region.”

“It is important to note that we are working alongside the Maritime Training Centre for fishermen’s training. We have a lot of foreign fishing vessels in our seas and we want these vessels to employ more Seychellois fishermen; and for them to do so we need to have more qualified fishermen,” Mr Michaud added.
Members of the public who wish to get information on the SFA or on the fishing sector in Seychelles can visit the new website at www.sfa.sc

Guests viewing the exhibition