“Blue Transformation in Action”

It has been a momentous year for SFA. In August, we celebrated our 40^th anniversary, marking the occasion with a number of events, and transforming under a new Establishment Act, a new name and a new brand (which is of course designed on a ‘blue’ theme!). Therefore, the 2024 edition of World Fisheries Day has added poignance for the authority.

For World Fisheries Day 2024, I reflected on the theme ‘Blue Transformation in Action’ and came to the realisation that addressing the theme would benefit from a number of viewpoints and perspectives. On the one hand, the transformation that has underpinned the development of our fisheries sector is clear to see. Seychelles has transformed from a traditional sector catering to the needs of our local population to a modern, thriving fisheries economy where those same traditions coexist, mostly harmoniously, with industrial fisheries supplying global markets. On the other hand, the transformation remains incomplete, especially when viewed in terms of a ‘blue’ transformation. The extensive transformation that has underpinned the development of the fisheries sector does not equate to being ‘blue’ simply by being based in the clear, blue waters that characterise the vast archipelago.

‘Blue’ is now prefixed to a plethora of concepts, initiatives, institutions, financial products and donor agendas. It will likely be applied to many more. To make matters worse, it is often used and becomes part of the lexicon quite some time before its meaning is defined, further complicated by the fact that authors or organisations then define it different ways. For this year’s World Fisheries Day, the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the UN adopted the theme to support their Blue Transformation Roadmap. The Roadmap seeks to address Blue Transformation at a global level through three core actions, namely sustainable aquaculture growth to meet the increasing demand for aquatic foods, effective fisheries management for healthier fishery stocks and equitable livelihoods, and upgrading of aquatic food value chains to guarantee their social, economic and environmental sustainability.

On the occasion of World Fisheries Day, it is therefore informative to consider how Seychelles benchmarks to the three core actions of the FAO Roadmap. At the outset, it is important to note that all three are clearly reflected in policy objectives for Seychelles’ fisheries sector. However, the theme is not concerned with what we plan to do, but what we are actually doing, i.e. the ‘Action’. On sustainable aquaculture, Seychelles has made significant progress in preparing for the development of that emerging sector, with a strong regulatory framework, designed to meet international standards of sustainability, now in place and coupled with significant investment in critical infrastructure and technical staff. A total of 11 local investors now hold aquaculture licenses, while more applications are under review. The sector clearly holds much promise since 2024 marked the first time in history that global aquaculture production eclipsed the production of wild-caught fisheries. Seychelles has some way to go to transform into a major ‘blue’ producer of aquaculture products but has made significant steps on the journey.

Considering fisheries management, I took the opportunity on World Fisheries Day last year to reflect on the progress made and challenges faced. I am pleased to see that over the past year we have continued to work closely with fishers and other stakeholders on a range of fisheries management processes, including our small-scale fisheries for octopus, lobster and spanner crab. Understanding ‘blue’ in the context of fisheries management clearly relies on how effective plans are in meeting the objectives we set. SFA will continue to adopt a co-management approach so that objectives can meet the aspirations and priorities of our stakeholders. In preparing to launch a management plan for tuna fisheries in 2025, we are also buoyed by recent assessments for yellowfin tuna indicating that the stock has recovered to sustainable levels. While some countries objected to the rebuilding plan, and even increased their catches of yellowfin tuna, Seychelles made notable sacrifices in complying with catch limits and contributing to rebuilding.

On the final core action of the FAO Blue Transformation Roadmap, we continue to support efforts aimed at diversifying and expanding our value chains, with progress made in providing opportunities for local investment in value-addition and accessing markets. A highlight of 2024 was Seychelles’ exhibition at the Seafood Global Expo in Barcelona. Recognising that opportunities are defined, not by fishing more, but by better utilisation of the raw material already available, SFA has contributed further awareness of the potential for undervalued species, worked with partners on new products from fish waste and conducted capacity building to promote the health benefits of fish in schools.

From the short perspective presented here, Seychelles is clearly addressing the core actions of FAO and would seem to be on the right course. To ensure we stay on course for the sustainable horizon we are charting, we must constantly take stock and assess our performance. However, the Blue Transformation envisioned by FAO may not meet all our national needs and priorities for the fisheries sector. It is up to us to decide what transformation is needed and how we make it ‘blue’. Happy World Fisheries Day to all!