Designated Minister Ferrari visits fishing facilities, fishing projects |20 November 2020

Designated Minister Jean-François Ferrari has said much effort will be channeled to ensure that the local and international markets get the best quality of fish that come out of our waters.

Mr Ferrari was speaking in his capacity as the Minster for Fisheries and Blue Economy, as he continued with his familiarisation visits yesterday morning and afternoon to the Seychelles Fishing Authority’s fish processing facilities and fisheries related projects at Providence port as well in the districts of Bel Ombre, Glacis and Anse Etoile.

He was accompanied on the visits by SFA chief executive Nichol Elizabeth, deputy chief Calvin Gerry, manager ports and infrastructure Georgie Nicette, SFA board members and other high officials and technicians of SFA.

“Our vision, which is one shared by the Seychellois people, is we get to introduce good plans to exploit our fish in a sustainable manner so that we get the best benefits out of it,” Designated Minister Ferrari said, noting that he sees the Seychelles fishing industry making a lot of progress in the years to come.

He further said that his ministry through the SFA will provide the fishing communities in the country with facilities to ease their doing business.

Questioned on the development of aquaculture in the country, Designated Minister Ferrari said before venturing into it, the sector needs to be well scrutinised to see if the country will rip economic benefit out of it.

Designated Minister Ferrari said he was very satisfied with the visit, especially in the districts, where although a lot of things need to be done and sorted out, the majority of projects to be implemented have already started.

“We have to quickly accelerate those projects so that the fishermen could get access to those facilities, they have been promised for a long time, as quickly as possible,” he said.

Designated Minister Ferrari started his visit at the Providence fishing port where he visited the facilities which include the SFA office, loading and shedding, processing units, ice plants, container bays, gear stores, cold and blast freezers.

From Providence, Designated Minister Ferrari headed to Bel Ombre to visit the processing facilities, ice plants and loading and shedding among others. At Glacis, he was shown where a breakwater will be built to protect fishermen against strong waves, while at La Retraite in the district of Anse Etoile, he visited an ongoing project consisting of a small jetty and a fish market. He also interacted with SFA staff and fishermen during the visit.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of Designated Minister Ferrari’s visit.

Patrick Joubert

Photos: Anel Robert/Madiha Philo