Addressing Challenges and Crafting Solutions in the Fishing Industry

A recent independent fisheries survey indicates that illegal fishing may cause a decline in the lobster population in the Seychelles.

In an interview with SNA at a workshop, Kettyna Gabriel, a senior scientist at the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), stated that a recent study found an increase in lobster numbers near outer islands like Bird Island and Denis. This rise may be linked to fishing pressure, including illegal fishing during the closed season. Since 2021, the SFA has been working with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to address challenges and develop a sustainable lobster harvesting strategy. In 2019, TNC and the Seychelles government held talks during a scoping mission, opting to use FishPath to identify and address issues in the island’s snow crab and lobster fisheries. The Seychelles has implemented a personalized FishPath approach, involving fishermen in discussions, enhancing their skills, and leveraging FishPath’s technical support.