Victoria, Seychelles | Monday 25th November 2024 – by: Tresa Bastienne
The SWIOFISH team, through the Department of the Blue Economy, handed over a new surveillance vessel, named Surveillance 2, to the Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA). This was during a short ceremony held at the Artisanal Fishing Port on Friday 15th November 2024.
The acquisition of the vessel is part of the implementation of the Third South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Project, known as the SWIOFish3 project, which has been completed successfully.
The Surveillance 2, valued at $920,000, will play a vital role in monitoring and enforcing permissible fishing activities. It has been designated specifically for monitoring, control, and surveillance of the Mahe Plateau.
In his speech, the Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy Mr. Jean Francois Ferrari emphasized the importance of this addition to the surveillance fleet. “The Mahe Plateau, a critical area for biodiversity and fisheries, has been under immense pressure from unsustainable practices. Surveillance 2 will help us identify and apprehend those who exploit our marine resources unlawfully, and it will send a clear message that we are committed to safeguarding our Seychelles Waters.”
Following its commissioning, the Surveillance 2 vessel completed its first five-day sea trial and surveillance patrol from 18th to 22nd November 2024. The mission aimed to evaluate the vessel’s performance while monitoring fishing activities and enforcing regulations in the inner islands.
The crew, including Senior Surveillance Officer Ricky William, Skipper Erol Raguin, and others, patrolled Praslin, La Digue, Ste Anne, and Mahe islands. Ideal weather conditions facilitated the operation.
During the patrol, two sea cucumber vessels were inspected and found compliant with license terms. Minor mechanical issues were quickly resolved with help from the Marine Police and the SFA research vessel L’ Amitie.
Overall, the successful sea trial highlights the effectiveness of Surveillance 2 in advancing Seychelles’ efforts to protect its marine resources.
