The principle secretary for fisheries, Jude Talma, said that since the beginning of industrial fishing in the region there has always been complaining that purse seiners are landing fish that they are not targeting which are called bycatch.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved ‘Management of Bycatch’ policy aiming to see better use of bycatch arriving in Port Victoria. Bycatch means fish unintentionally caught by the fisherman. Ministry of Fisheries, Seychelles, has observed growing interest from investors.
The principle secretary for fisheries, Jude Talma said that since the beginning of industrial fishing in the region there has always been complaining that purse seiners are landing fish that they are not targeting which are called bycatch.
These are then dumped at the sea and because of this there are some countries in the region interested in these bycatch and said these should be brought to shore for consumption or to be processed.
Talma explained that in the region, there wasn’t a country that could take these bycatch or there wasn’t enough facility for them to process the bycatch.
The ministry has noticed a growing interest coming from individuals and investors, For the past five years or so, regarding processing or sale of these bycatch. Because of this reason the Ministry took up this important concern to make a policy regarding the same.
During the first phase, the focus will be on the bycatch, those that have been caught by purse seiners. All of them has to land their bycatch in Seychelles whosoever lands or tranship their tuna in Port Victoria.
The number of licenses issued by the ministry to the interested investors will be limited.
The policy will ensure the protection of vulnerable and threatened species. In addition to that, it will also guarantee the sustainability of bycatch species stocks.
