Stakeholders contribute to new aquaculture policy to address sector challenges |24 August 2022
Workshop participants and guests in a souvenir photograph (Photo: Louis Toussaint)
As the Seychelles National Aquaculture Policy 2018-2022 nears its end point, the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) and the Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy is initiating a review of the policy and accompanying regulations, to make relevant updates in inputs for the implementation of the Aquaculture Sector for the next five years (2023-2027).
Following years of research, Seychelles has decided to adopt an eco-systems based approach, towards the sustainable development of the sector, a key economic pillar in many countries around the region.
The local sector was officially launched in October 2021 by Minister Jean François Ferrari, and has garnered much interest from both local and foreign investors, although there are still some major concerns which need to be addressed by government, in support of the private sector investments and to assist aquaculture farmers to become operational.
Chief executive of the SFA, Nichol Elizabeth, during yesterday’s stakeholder workshop at the Savoy Resort & Spa highlighted the importance of reviewing and updating the sector’s guiding documents, to address the persistent issues and challenges.
“A number of Seychellois are approaching us to obtain a license, and many foreign investors are interested, but they are mainly interested in large-scale projects so we have to ensure that we capture them properly and that we do not fail. We have our challenges such as land, logistics on land and many others, but that is the reason we are here today, to inform other agencies and authorities so they understand that we will need their participation and interest if we are to develop the aquaculture sector,” Mr Elizabeth stated.
Thus far, the department has received nine license applications, including one from the Islands Development Company (IDC).
Among the challenges which the department has been aware of is lack of land, considering high demand for coastal land for residential and commercial developments, as well as access to finance, all of which the authorities are seeking to address through the new policy.
Head of the department of Aquaculture, Aubrey Lesperance, noted that they are intensifying collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Habitat, in a bid to secure clusters of coastal land suited to the requirements of aquaculture ventures.
“We are not giving up and trying our best to help investors. It is one of the most significant sectors in going forward, as we have limited other options in terms of tourism, fisheries, and we will have to turn to our marine resources. To tap into these resources, the land component is essential,” Mr Lesperance said.
“Another issue, not from investors but that we as government have observed is that it is quite difficult to attract labour to the sector. This is why, later during the year, we will have a Human Capital Development Plan which we have been working on for the past twelve months, and we will host a national workshop with all partners, to see where they fit, and where they can assist us to implement this,” Mr Lesperance added.
The new policy is expected to be finalised in two months, taking into account the changes and developments over the past five years.
The accompanying Regulations which were passed in 2020 are to also be reviewed, a process which is scheduled to be completed by early 2023. Regulations are to make provisions for certain aquaculture activities which had not been included before, such as seaweed farming, and extraction of its properties for cosmetic, among other uses.
Yesterday’s workshop was supported by the European Union (EU) through the long-term technical assistance programme to support the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) implementation in Seychelles.
Points and issues brought forward are to be compiled and reviewed by the SFA and Ministry of Fisheries that will subsequently be proposed to the cabinet of ministers for endorsement.
Laura Pillay