The Ministry of Fisheries in collaboration with artisanal fishermen and other stakeholders, has launched a rescue plan for fisheries to ensure access to fish for the Seychelles population. The plan helps fishermen go out at sea by guaranteeing them their fish will be bought and by the government’s contribution to the price of bait and ice (up to 2/3 and ½ of the price respectively). The worldwide decrease in fuel prices is also helping the fishermen reduce the cost of their outings.
In parallel, the Fisheries Development Fund will assist fish processors via a loan (up to 1 Million Seychellois Rupees (SCR)) to buy, cut, pack and freeze the fish. The Seychelles Trading Company will distribute the products to retailers to warrant food security to the population. The final cost for a kg of snapper, the most common fish caught by artisanal fishermen in Seychelles, will be approximately SCR 100, which is around 6,8€. The rescue plan is temporarily set up for three months.
Source: CAOPA and Today in Seychelles