Mise en place effective de la fédération des pêcheurs artisans de l’océan Indien

Mise en place effective de la fédération des pêcheurs artisans de l’océan Indien

09-October-2015

La nouvelle organisation des pêcheurs est née, aux Seychelles, de parents indianocéaniques – Comores, Madagascar, Maurice, Seychelles et La Réunion. Son siège est actuellement à la Réunion. Elle bénéficie du soutien financier de l’Europe (FED-FEDER) et du Conseil régional de la Réunion.
Pendant deux jours, du 6 au 8 octobre, au Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa, les représentants des organisations professionnelles de pêche artisanale ont travaillé ardemment à la définition des statuts de la fédération.
Dominique Greboval, représentant du projet SmartFish de la Commission de l’océan Indien (COI), en appui technique, a rappelé que c’est une initiative qui dure depuis 2013. « Plusieurs associations ont exprimé le souhait de s’organiser et de travailler ensemble pour avoir plus de voix au niveau régional », a-t-il souligné.
Il a résumé, également, les cinq objectifs de la ‘Fédération des pêcheurs artisans de l’océan Indien’ (FPAOI). A savoir, défendre les intérêts et représenter les pêcheurs artisans de l’océan Indien au niveau des instances nationales, internationales, gouvernementales et non-gouvernementales ; veiller à une participation accrue des pêcheurs à l’exploitation et la gestion des ressources halieutiques ; garantir aux pêcheurs des retombées économiques de l’exploitation des ressources marines continentales ; agir en faveur du maintien et du développement d’une pêche artisanale durable en océan Indien ; et renforcer les capacités des organisations nationales membres. « Unis pour durer », tel est le slogan, qui a été choisi.
La ‘Confédération Africaine des Organisations de Pêche Artisanale’ et Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations étaient présents et ont partagé leur expérience dans ce processus de création de la fédération.
La FPAOI contribuera, avec l’établissement de ce nouveau cadre régional, à la participation des pêcheurs professionnels dans les processus décisionnels de ce secteur, pilier de l’économie en Indianoceanie.
D’ailleurs, Léon Razaka, représentant du secrétariat de la COI, corrobore ce fait et ajoute que 80% des pêcheurs dans le monde sont des pêcheurs artisanaux. Selon lui, c’est un levier pour le développement socio-économique de l’océan Indien.
En présence de Jean-René Enilorac, préfigurateur désigné du Comite régional des pêches maritimes et des élevages marins (CRPMEM) de la Réunion avec Ludovic Courtois, secrétaire général du CRPMEM, du ministre de la pêche et de l’agriculture Seychelles, Wallace Cosgrow et du conseiller spécial Finley Racombo, les associations de pêcheurs artisans des cinq pays de la zone océan Indien, ont signé les statuts officiels de la nouvelle fédération.
Léon Razaka a souhaité un bon vent et une bonne mer à la nouvelle fédération. « Faites raisonner la voix des pêcheurs dans l’océan Indien », a t-il conclu lors de son intervention.

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Fisheries make great strides despite challenges

31-December-2015
Fisheries, the country’s second economic pillar, made great strides in 2015 despite the many challenges faced.

Algal bloom

In October Seychelles experienced one of its most harmful algal blooms on record whereby large numbers of fish died. The fish kills were observed in several places around Mahé, Praslin and La Digue with the latter two being more severe. At first authorities could not pinpoint the exact cause of the mass fish kill but as the investigations carried on it became apparent that it was a harmful algal bloom.

In view of the potential effects on human health the authorities decided to impose an advisory on the consumption of fish during the investigation and conduct analyses to further confirm the exact nature of the algal bloom. This impacted the artisanal fishing industry significantly because fishermen could not sell their catch, hence loss of revenues. The Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) along with the Ministry of Environment and Energy and Climate Change, the Ministry of Health and the Seychelles Coast Guard teamed up to undertake regular monitoring and investigate the problem.

Daily and weekly aerial surveys and water quality sampling were carried out with the hope of sending water samples overseas for confirmation of the toxicity of the algal bloom and to learn more about the causative species involved. The event has highlighted some shortcomings such as having a standard water quality monitoring plan to improve on monitoring and detecting abnormal levels of harmful algal blooms early enough.

Challenge: export of swordfish to EU market

Over the past years certain areas of the fisheries sector have been facing several threats and challenges which have impacted the seafood quality and trade. In particular, one of the main issues currently affecting our semi-industrial fishery is the barrier to the trade of swordfish mainly to European Union (EU) countries due to mercury contamination. In 2014, being unable to comply with EU mercury standards due to lack of knowledge, expertise and resources, export of swordfish to EU markets was interrupted bringing the semi-industrial fisheries to a halt. This unexpected situation led to a series of socio-economic disruptions, impacting the livelihood of more than 10 boat owners and 70 fishermen. Another significant impact was the ecological threat caused by the switch from targeting pelagic to demersal species.

In order to mitigate the situation, the Seychelles Fishing Authority and the Fishermen and Boat Owners Association (FBOA) initiated several discussions to address this issue. With the help of experts from IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), it became apparent that due to the complexity of mercury contamination further enhanced analysis and research were required. From this two specific projects were initiated, namely CONSWO and SEYFISH, both aimed at further analysing the risk versus benefit of consuming swordfish and the ten main economically important fish in Seychelles.

Seychelles first seafood quality workshop

One of the incentives taken by the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) in order to address the issues encountered with the export of swordfish, a seafood quality workshop was organised. This aimed at bringing together researchers, policy makers, managers, regulators and other stakeholders in the public and private sector from Seychelles, neighboring countries as well as Europe and North America to exchange knowledge and expertise and provide an overview of the marine environment and its fisheries potential, the link between seafood and human health and contaminants that might pose a threat to the fishing industry.

The workshop which was jointly organised by the SFA, IRD, Ministry of Health and the GOS-UNDP-GEF Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) took place on November 18-19, 2015 at the Savoy Resort and Spa.

It also aimed to potentially develop a national framework to support research and promote the optimal use of resources and facilitate the dissemination and utilisation of research findings.

CONSWO Project – Risks vs benefits associated with consumption of swordfish (Xiphiasgladius) in Seychelles

SFA in collaboration with IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement) and FBOA (Fishermen and Boat Owners Association) is also implementing a project aimed to investigate factors which affect the level of metallic and organic composition of large pelagic targeted by the Seychelles semi-industrial longliners, focusing on swordfish. The project started in 2013 and will be looking at variability in contaminant levels within swordfish by comparing different types of tissues such as white muscle, liver and gonads, size, age and sex and whether the effects observed on the level of contaminants within the Indian oceans and other oceans are homogeneous. Sampling activities which were carried out onboard MV Albacore ended in late 2014, the samples are being analysed for metallic and organic contaminants as well as carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes and fatty acids. This will be used to determine whether swordfish consumed is more beneficial to human health despite the level of contamination.

Purchase of direct mercury analyser to help private sector

Due to the limited ability of exporters to test for contaminant levels, particularly mercury, in swordfish samples being exported to the EU, this has resulted in an increase in the level of exports being rejected and processing companies being placed under exportation restrictions to the EU market.

In April 2015, with the aim of reducing this risk and boosting the semi-industrial fishing sector, the Seychelles Fishing Authority in collaboration with the SmartFish project, took the initiative to purchase a Direct Mercury Analyser (DMA-80). Using the most advanced technology, the analyser has the ability to do 80 - 120 samples daily, without any sample preparation. A one-day training on how to operate the device was also organised and this was attended by nine people from SFA, FIQCU, IRD, and the private sector.

The analyser is currently being used by exporters to provide rapid screening tests to detect the mercury levels in swordfish prior to exportation. It is also being used to ease research being conducted by SFA and IRD.

Promoting undervalued fish


Given the continuous rise in the local demand for fish, SFA is currently exploring ways in which to promote consumption of fish species such as swordfish which are not largely consumed and not valued by the local public. One such initiative is to do this through the curriculum of the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) and within tourism catering services.

This will be possible now that the STA and the SFA have signed an agreement committing themselves to further strengthening their partnership in promoting value addition to different fish species considered not so popular among local consumers.

Under the agreement, the SFA will also make available all necessary facilities and resources to STA staff and students whenever required to train and educate them on the biology, fishing techniques, resource management, quality and freshness of fish and other seafood.

Post harvest fish loss in artisanal fisheries

Post harvest fish loss refers to fish that is either discarded or sold at a relatively low price because of quality deterioration or owing to market dynamics. This is mainly due to the lack of basic knowledge by fishermen on good hygiene and handling practices at sea, during transportation and at landing sites.

In order to ensure that the livelihoods of local fishermen are continuously maintained and enhanced, a workshop on post-harvest fish loss was organised in September 2015 with the aim of educating fishermen on the different factors that can aggravate post harvest loss in artisanal fisheries and the preventive methods which can be adopted to tackle these situations. This will ensure that less fish are lost post-harvest and that those being supplied by the fishermen are of good quality which will in turn help to increase profitability.

Challenge of ice plants

Ice production and supply for fishermen has always been a challenge for the SFA in large part due to a continuous increase in demand for the commodity as the fishing industry expands. To help ease the pressure on the provision of ice two new containerised ice plants were recently purchased by the SFA which has brought the national capacity to 47 tonnes per day. With the increase in supply of ice fishermen are expected to go out on-time upon loading which would reduce loss of fishing time to wait for ice.

With the continuous expansion of the fisheries industry the SFA has plans to further develop the Bel Ombre quay with small processing units which will complement the fishing activities that are already going on there and this will mean more ice which will be required by fishermen from the northern region.

All SFA ice plants have recently undergone major repairs and maintenance with some requiring further upgrades over the next years to phase out the use of the now banned R22 gas due to its negative impact on the environment. This will also be done with future expansions in ice production to keep abreast of the needs of the industry.

Signing of agreement to extend Providence Quay

The objective of the project is to extend existing quays and expansion of fisheries facilities in Providence fishing port. This will be done through the installation of mooring quays to increase the berthing capacity of fishing vessels, with the aim to improve port operation and the quality of fish landed in view of the continuous demand thereby contributing to the development of the fishing industry including the growing fish processing sector.

The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has been a strong partner in the development of the fisheries sector in Seychelles and the signing of the memorandum of understanding for the port extension at Providence reinforces the trust and support from Japan.

The port extension will benefit the fishing fleet which uses Providence as a hub to operate and complements the newly built fish processing facilities which were funded by the European Union in 2014.

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