Third round of negotiations for a new sustainable EU-Seychelles fisheries partnership agreement |10 October 2019

A third round of negotiations for the European Union-Seychelles sustainable fisheries partnership agreement and its implementing protocol took place this week in Victoria.

Discussions focused on outstanding issues, mainly on financial contribution as well as working conditions of Seychellois seamen working on EU vessels, observer coverage, both human and electronic among other matters.

The Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) is the bilateral framework to be agreed by both parties that will allow European Union fishing vessels opportunities to continue their fishing operations in Seychelles exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This also includes establishing the principles, rules and procedures governing the economic, financial, technical, and scientific aspect of this cooperation, including conditions for EU fishing vessels gaining access to Seychelles’ EEZ, and the management, control and surveillance measures governing their activities.

Fisheries and Agriculture Minister Charles Bastienne led the local delegation comprising representatives from the departments of fisheries, blue economy, environment, the office of the Attorney General and the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA).

To recall the first round of negotiations took place in August 2019 in Seychelles and the second round was held in Brussels, Belgium in September 2019.