Rodney GOVINDEN
Seychelles Fishing Authority
rgovinden@sfa.sc
Abstract
This presentation provides an overview of Seychelles' artisanal fisheries, emphasizing their socio-economic significance, management strategies, vulnerabilities of coral reef fisheries, and fisher response and adaptation strategies. Artisanal fisheries in Seychelles are important for food security and socio-economic stability. Diverse boat types are used, including outboard vessels (Mini Mahes), schooners, and whalers, and employ various fishing gears such as handlines, traps, nets, diving, and snorkeling. Key target species groups include snappers, groupers, emperors, and trevallies. Additionally, seasonal fisheries for lobsters, octopus, and spanner crabs contribute to the sector, with annual fishery production ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 metric tons and a per capita fish consumption rate of 57 kg. In 2022, 911 males and 46 females were directly engaged in this sector.
Current management strategies, as exemplified by the Mahe Plateau trap and line fishery co-management plan (February 2020) which is being implemented in a phased approach. These include setting minimum landing sizes and bag limits for both recreational and semi-industrial fishers, limiting the number of active traps, and implementing specific measures to protect rabbitfish spawning aggregation sites.
Coral reef ecosystems, which are crucial for diverse artisanal fisheries, are highly susceptible to climate change. Prolonged heat stress leads to coral bleaching and mortality, resulting in habitat loss and reduced fish diversity. A case study examining the long-term impacts on reef fishery catches following the 1998 mass coral bleaching event indicated stable total catches over a 23-year period, with increased productivity of herbivorous fish (siganids) and heightened catch variability.
Fisher adaptation strategies include altering fishing locations, methods, and target species. Initiatives such as the Praslin Fisher Association's temporary closure of Baie Ste Anne Bay demonstrate proactive community management.
In conclusion, small-scale fisheries are vulnerable to climate change, necessitating ongoing assessment of management measures and exploration of livelihood diversification methods such as eco-tourism and aquaculture. Understanding the socio-economic dynamics and resilience of fishers to environmental changes is crucial for sustaining Seychelles' artisanal fisheries.
Presentation Power Point
