BGF#1
Type: Small
SeyCCAT Strategic Objective: Empower the fisheries sector with robust science and knowhow to improve governance, sustainability, value and market options
Lead Project Partner: Karine Rassool
Partners: University of York, Seychelles Fishing Authority
Summary: The artisanal fisheries sector is an important contributor to both employment and food security in the Seychelles. In addition to supplying fish for the local population and tourism establishments, an estimated 10% of the total landed catch is exported. This contributes an additional USD 1 million in yearly foreign exchange earnings to the national economy.
Despite the fundamental economic, social and cultural significance of the fisheries, there have been recent concerns about the status of the demersal stocks exploited by artisanal fishers around the Mahe Plateau, particularly due to the open access nature of this multi-species fishery. In response, the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) developed a demersal fisheries management plan in 2015.
Despite this, SFA has yet to develop a harmonized method to capture socio-economic information related to the various fisheries sub-sectors. As a result, the management plan for the demersal fisheries was developed with only a limited understanding of the socio-economic profiles of artisanal fishermen . Thus, it has been widely criticized as placing “the fish before the fisher” and has lacked support from the fishing community, thereby limiting its efficacy.
The central aim of this proposed project is to fill this gap in knowledge by developing an effective and efficient methodology to elicit socio-economic information from local boat owners and fishermen involved in the demersal fisheries sector. Additionally, the project will also seek to gain a better understanding of boat owner’s and fishermen’s behavior and opinions, i.e. what drives their decision-making processes, how they perceive they will be affected by the new proposed management plan and what measures they believe would successfully ensure long term sustainability of the demersal fish stocks of the Mahe Plateau.
SeyCCAT Funds: SCR 100,000
Co-finance: —
Duration: July 2018 – December 2019
Download the project application form
