Seychelles Defence Forces intercept fishing vessel suspected of IUU fishing |22 April 2023
The suspected Comorian and Malagasy vessels
The Seychelles Defence Forces have intercepted a Madagascar-flagged fishing vessel suspected of conducting illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing within Seychelles’ waters.
The operation was carried out in a joint effort involving the Coast Guard, Air Force, and Special Forces.
On April 16, 2023, at approximately 4.34pm, a local fishing vessel reported to the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) Maritime Operation Centre (MOC) the presence of four unknown vessels suspected to be from Madagascar in the vicinity of Providence Island.
Seychelles Air Force (SAF) aircraft CG011 was tasked to investigate and confirmed the presence of the vessels.
Seychelles Coast Guard patrol ship Zoroaster was diverted to the area of Farquhar and managed to intercept one of the suspected vessels.
The intercepted vessel, with 18 crew members on board, was boarded and inspected and escorted to Farquhar Island.
Information gathered indicated that all the boats observed were from Madagascar and have engaged in illegal sea cucumber fishing.
The Malagasy authorities have been notified, and necessary legal action is expected to be initiated against them.
In a similar case, at least three other suspected fishing boats from the Comoros were also observed around Cosmoledo and Aldabra atolls last week.
Details of the vessels, including registration numbers captured by sensors from the local Dornier aircraft, have been forwarded to the Comorian authorities for follow-up action.
The Seychelles Defence Forces are also working in close collaboration with the Regional Centre for Operation Coordination (RCOC) to ensure proper liaison with concerned countries in the region, and that necessary legal actions are initiated against the culprits.
Additionally, the diplomatic channel is being used to resolve these issues of illegal incursions into Seychelles waters.
Press release from the Seychelles Defence Forces
