Report studies job potential in fisheries |13 September 2005

Other opportunities lie in the provision of ancillary services such as the sale and maintenance of vessel equipment and fishing gears, stevedoring and net repairs.

Consultant Joel Nageon de Lestang said this at the Seychelles Fishing Authority Monday September 12 when he presented the summary of results of a study he carried out last year, the findings of which will be presented to the Cabinet soon.

Addressing stakeholders from the government and the private sectors, he said there are currently about 1,750 persons who are directly involved in fishing activities on a full time basis, with another 3,930 being involved in processing and that the Indian Ocean Tuna (IOT) canning factory employs 2,500 workers.

He said that the Coetivy prawn farm employs 330 people, of whom only 18 percent are Seychellois, adding that of the 2,500 IOT employees, 63 percent are Seychellois.

The main objective of the study was to identify existing constraints in employment within the sector and make recommendations on how the shortcomings could be overcome.

The stakeholders commended Mr Nageon de Lestang saying that his research was comprehensive and touched on the key areas affecting the sector.

They named shortfalls in training as a major hurdle, saying that not enough is being done to prepare and sensitise fishermen well enough to be inclined to go out to, and stay at sea as long as necessary.

They also said that it is not clear who in the fisheries or related sectors should address specific shortcomings identified.

Making a comparison between Seychelles and Mauritius fisheries, the stakeholders said that private organisations are more deeply and efficiently involved in running the sector there.

Upon the announcement that Heinz might be selling their shares at IOT, there were feelings that the company could be purchased by a Mauritian entity.

They also expressed concern that fish exported from Seychelles is relatively more expensive compared to that coming from Thailand and Philippines.

Kenya and Tanzania were said to be showing great interest in fisheries and the stakeholders said that the two countries could also offer stiff competition to Seychelles.

“The two countries are a challenge. Kenya, in particular is in the process of establishing its fisheries sector,” the secretary general of the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce Nicole Gerhardi Tirant said.

She said that Kenyans have in the past concentrated on agriculture but are now showing more interest in fisheries.

“They are within the fishing grounds, being extremely close to where the bulk of the fishing is carried out in the north eastern corner which is close to Somalia, so Mombasa could turn into an extremely competitive port because it is cheaper and they can offer fuel and other facilities,” she said.

She nevertheless said that Seychelles has an advantage in that ships are generally closer to Port Victoria than to either Mombasa or Dar Es Salaam.

Addressing the stakeholders, the Minister for Environment and Natural Resources Ronny Jumeau said he had requested for the survey and his office will present the report to Cabinet for debate and appropriate action, including allocation of important tasks so as to streamline the management of fisheries.