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· Seychelles should focus more on a sector it has control over — fisheries — to sustain its economy in view of the current dire economic situation caused by COVID-19 pandemic, minister for fisheries Jean-Francois Ferrari said
· The minister said that fishing is the second top contributor to national income after tourism
· The government is developing the artisanal fisheries facilities which is being done in two phases entailing a cost of approximately US$10 million
Seychelles should focus more on a sector it has control over — fisheries — to sustain its economy in view of the current dire economic situation caused by COVID-19 pandemic,minister for fisheries
Jean-Francois Ferrari said. He was speaking after his familiarization visit at the Providence artisanal fisheries facilities. This project is financed by the government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The minister said that fishing is the second top contributor to national income after tourism. The government is developing the artisanal fisheries facilities which is being done in two phases entailing a cost of approximately US$10 million. It also includes the expansion of 216 metres of quay, ten mooring buoys, a landing shed and a 10-tonne ice-making facility.
The second phase of the project was necessitated by increased catch by artisanal and semi-industrial fishermen. They have no access to an ice plant, ice storage warehouse and other fishing facilities. Foreign-owned vessels have long dominated the industrial longline fishing sector in Seychelles. The local fishermen are mainly involved in artisanal and semi-industrial longline fishing, which did not much impact their income and regular employment.
