Maldivian HC calls on Designated Minister Ferrari |23 June 2021

The high commissioner of the Republic of Maldives, Omar Abdul Razzak, yesterday morning paid a courtesy call on the Designated Minister and Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy Jean-Francois Ferrari at his office at Maison Collet.

The fisheries sector was one of the main points of discussion between Mr Razzak and Minister Ferrari.

Both HC Razzak and Minister Ferrari agreed that Maldives and Seychelles should strengthen strategic objectives and partnerships in the tuna fishing industry as members of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).

In addition, the issue of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing was another important point of discussion as both countries face this common challenge.

The possibility of establishing a maritime security surveillance memorandum of understanding (MoU) was discussed as a means of addressing IUU fishing and protecting marine resources notably the yellow fin tuna was also discussed.

It was also proposed that the MoU include capacity-building for the Seychelles Coast Guard as well as sharing of maritime security data between Seychelles and Maldives.

Minister Ferrari used this opportunity to brief the newly accredited Maldivian HC about the fisheries national projects that are currently being implemented in Seychelles. This includes the development of the area on Ile Du Port which has been designated as the Fish Processing Zone and is expected to be a major step towards diversifying the local fisheries sector.

Furthermore, Minister Ferrari discussed the possibility of establishing air connections between Seychelles and Maldives to facilitate cargo transportation of fresh/frozen/processed fish in the region.

Press release from the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy