Artisanal fishermen worried about the consequences of the government’s ban on red snapper exports
With only 11 Covid-19 cases and recoveries, and no community spread, Seychelles reopened the airport on 1 June to private jets and Seychellois repatriation flights with very strict measures for entering the territory. The resuming of one or two cargo flights per week mid-May allowed the Seychelles semi-industrial long-liners to recommence exporting tuna mostly to Israel, the EU and the US. The Fishermen Boat Owners Association (FBOA) estimates that approximately half of the semi-industrial fleet is currently fishing.
Most artisanal fishermen have also resumed their activities. The total lockdown end of April left many of them without an income and discussions are ongoing with the government for a minimum salary to help them get by. Nevertheless, artisanal fishermen are worried about their core export, the red snapper, a highly prized fish, and with high demand in European markets. In the state of the nation address last February, the Seychelles president announced a ban on exports of red snapper (bourzwa), starting on 15 April, an emblem of the Seychelles, with the aim to make it more affordable for locals. Many believe this ban will not work because if the price goes down as the government intends, fishermen will fish it less and this will adversely impact their revenue.
An update on the rescue plan for fisheries
Two and a half months after the Seychelles government announced a rescue plan for fisheries to ensure food security and to keep the sector running, the distribution of fish to families has been guaranteed by the Seychelles Trading Company. The government has also been covering part of the ice bags and bait cost as initially planned.
However, the fish processors are finding difficulties in accessing the loan promised by the government which was to be routed through the Development Bank. Beatty Hoarau, treasurer of FBOA, explains that the government did not consider a special procedure to access these funds as part of the rescue package and fish processors have to ask it via a normal procedure, one that takes much longer. “This is causing them difficulties in the cash flow and will cause delays in paying the fishermen”.
The rescue plan was temporarily set for three months, expiring at the end of June. Seychelles fisheries stakeholders have still not discussed with the government if the measures will be prolonged.
Banner photo: Fishing boats at port in the Seychelles by Lawrence Hislop, 2010.
Andre Standing, senior consultant at CFFA, discusses with researcher Arınç Onat Kılıç, who has recently published a paper exploring the Seychelles Blue Bond, its impact on local fishing communities and the broader implications of private finance for developing the blue economy.