Protecting the fishing sector

As Seychelles continues to experience the effects of climate change, the majority of the fishing sector feels its impact.

The Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Jean-François Ferrari, stated that the ongoing increase in ocean temperature and the effects of El Niño and La Niña are causing an imbalance in the ecosystem. He added that phenomena such as El Niño and La Niña have had enormous impacts on sea temperature and ocean current movements, which could have affected the distribution of pelagic fish in the Indian Ocean.

According to Ferrari, the rise in temperatures has impacted tuna fishing. Due to the higher temperatures, fish have been forced to move to other areas where the temperature is cooler. These vessels have observed a decrease in tuna catches in the Indian Ocean region last year. Catches have seen a 10 % drop, from 403,000 tonnes to 373,000 tonnes. In Seychelles waters, the decline is even greater. It has gone from 113,566 tonnes to 69,000 tonnes, representing a decrease of about 40 %.

« This impacts our marine resources and is also a threat to the livelihoods of people who depend on these resources », explained the minister. Fishing is the second sector that contributes to the economy of Seychelles.