The Fisheries Research Department, in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), hosted a validation workshop on Wednesday 29^th October 2025, at the Savoy Resort and Spa to present the findings of the study “Understanding the Lobster Fishery: Socio-Economic, Value Chain and Tagging Feasibility.” The event brought together stakeholders from government, the fishing industry, and conservation partners to discuss the future of the country’s lobster fishery.

Conducted between May and July 2025, the study represents the first comprehensive assessment of Seychelles’ lobster fishery, combining biological, economic and social data. It aimed to evaluate the current status of the fishery, the socio-economic impacts of management closures, and the feasibility of a post-harvest tagging system to improve traceability and address Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Findings from 87 interviews across Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and Denis Island revealed that the fishery has faced sustained pressure over the past eight years, operating for only 11 months since 2017. The Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) for the Mahé Plateau is estimated at 3.5 tonnes, while national consumption exceeds 40–50 tonnes annually. Imports now supply almost 97% of the market, with around 10% of lobsters sold locally believed to originate from illegal or unreported sources.

The study also highlighted socio-economic challenges, with fishers dependent on lobster losing an estimated SCR 180,000 per year and roughly 90 jobs disappearing in traditional fishing communities. Despite these difficulties, there is broad support for stronger management, with more than 75% of surveyed fishers, businesses and members of the public favouring the introduction of a national tagging programme.

Under the proposed system, each legally caught lobster will receive a tamper-proof tag featuring a QR code linked to a central database managed by the Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA). Scanning the code will reveal details such as the fisher’s name, license number and catch location, providing full traceability from sea to plate.

Senior Fisheries Scientist Mrs. Kettyna Gabriel said SFA will roll out the programme in phases, starting with awareness and pilot testing before full national implementation. Dr. Ameer Ebrahim, Fisheries Specialist with FishPath, added that tagging will “rebuild trust, strengthen enforcement and support the long-term sustainability of the fishery.”

Supported by the European Union and the International Climate Initiative (IKI), this initiative forms part of TNC’s regional programme to enhance sustainable fisheries management in the Western Indian Ocean.