Seychelles once again affirmed its leadership in sustainable fisheries governance and equitable fisheries management at the opening of the 29th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), being held this week in La Reunion, France.
Delivering Seychelles’ official statement, the Principal Minister and Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Mr. Jean-François Ferrari, highlighted the central role of science, equity, and transparency, and collaboration in ensuring the long-term sustainability of tuna stock resources that are central to the food security and economy of Seychelles and the broader Indian Ocean region.
The Principal Minister underscored the country’s consistent compliance with IOTC’s Conservation and Management Measures and called on all IOTC members to honour their obligations—particularly the timely submission of fisheries data and active participation in scientific processes. He urged the Commission to acknowledge the unequal burden currently borne by some members, particularly in the rebuilding efforts for yellowfin tuna. The Principal Minister called for a transition toward a more inclusive interim management measure and emphasised that no single country should be left to carry the weight of sustainability alone.
Seychelles proudly announced that it had become the first country globally to be declared compliant with the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI)—a milestone reflecting its commitment to accountability, trust-building, and investor confidence in fisheries management.
Highlighting Seychelles’ use of purse seine gear with drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), the Principal Minister noted that all legal fishing gears have value when properly regulated. Seychelles’ national initiatives, such as the FAD-Watch programme and biodegradable FAD trials, were presented as evidence of innovation and environmental responsibility.
On the margins of the IOTC session, the Principal Minister held a high-level bilateral meeting with EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Mr. Costas Kadis. The meeting reaffirmed the longstanding and strong partnership between Seychelles and the European Union, which is grounded in cooperation in tuna fisheries, trade, and economic development. Both parties reaffirmed their strong partnership in tuna fisheries and agreed to initiate discussions on renewing the European Union-Seychelles Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA), which expires in February 2026. The EU reaffirmed that this SFPA remains their most important tuna access agreement.
The Principal Minister also met with French Minister of Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate and Risk Prevention, Madame Agnès Pannier-Runacher, where both parties engaged in constructive dialogue on regional marine conservation efforts.
Discussions with the French Minister focused on the upcoming United Nation Ocean’s Conference to be hosted by the Government of France in Nice in June, fight against IUU fishing in the region and on the high seas in the context of a proposal on high seas inspection and boarding scheme being discussed at IOTC co-sponsored both by Seychelles and France. Other areas of cooperation such as scientific research and exchanges, protection of marine biodiversity through establishment and management of marine protected areas (MPA), and in capacity building especially for the Seychelles Maritime Academy.
The 29th Session of the IOTC continues this week, and key decisions on stock management, allocation reform, and compliance mechanisms are expected.
The Seychelles delegation is led by Principal Secretary Roy Clarisse, accompanied by senior government officials. Additionally, representatives from the private sector are also participating.
Source : Department of Fisheries – Seychelles
