‘Stop buying undersized Red Snapper,” says SFA |24 October 2023

An undersized Red Snapper

The Seychelles Fishing Authority is calling on the public to discourage the sale of undersized Red Snapper and is imploring consumers to cease “tolerating” fish sellers who are still putting those undersized fish on the market.

Monitoring control and surveillance manager at the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), Roddy Allisop, underscored the organisation's unwavering commitment to combatting the sale of undersized snappers in a press meet yesterday at the SFA headquarters.

He expressed his disappointment as “SFA has received reports and complaints about undersized red snapper being readily available in the local market, with the majority of these grievances stemming from areas like La Retraite, Anse Aux Pins, and Au Cap. Currently, SFA is actively investigating three separate instances of illegal fishing that contravene the Fisheries (Mahé Plateau Trap and Line Fishery) Regulations of 2021.”

Mr Allisop shared that if the public continues to purchase undersized fish, it will inadvertently encourage fishermen to break the law as they are already adding a small Red Snapper in the fish packet.

Legal advisor, Yannick Roucou, shed light on the existing regulations in place, emphasising the crucial minimum size limit set at 32cm for Emperor Red Snapper and Green Job Fish (Zob Gri) caught on the Mahé Plateau.

Furthermore, these regulations also define bag limits, restricting individuals to catch a maximum of 20 fish per person per day, with not more than five Red Snapper and Green Job Fish allowed. There are also specific limits imposed on traps, allowing recreational fishers to register only two traps and commercial fishers to register up to 25 traps. The regulations also enforce restrictions on spawning sites, permitting no more than six traps per vessel on spawning sites, with a ban on traps during the seven days surrounding a full moon. Additionally, no traps should be left in the water overnight during the spawning season, which spans from September to April.

SFA is reminding all fishers, sellers, buyers, and the general public that violating any of these regulations can lead to a substantial fine of up to R20,000. In cases involving commercial fishers, penalties can go beyond fines and may include the suspension or revocation of a fishing license and the prohibition from operating any fishing vessel in Seychelles.

“These measures are in place to not only safeguard the Red Snapper population but also to ensure the sustainable and legal practice of fishing within the region. The cooperation of the public in adhering to these regulations is crucial for the preservation of marine ecosystems and the well-being of the fishing industry in Seychelles,” concluded Mr Roucou.

SFA noted that the review of this regulation will be done sometime next year.

Text and photos: Vidya Gappy