“Accelerating action and mobilising all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.”

Today, on World Fisheries Day, we come together to celebrate the natural endowment of our oceans and to reaffirm a shared commitment to use our marine resources responsibly. The theme adopted for this year, “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean,” underscores the urgent need for collective responsibility and proactive measures. At Seychelles Fisheries Authority (SFA), we are proud to be undertaking significant actions in aligning with this theme.

We recognise that sustainable fisheries management requires mobilisation and participation of the full spectrum of stakeholders to enable consideration of diverse perspectives and interests. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Act (2025), passed unanimously by the Assembly earlier in the year, reaffirms our principles for inclusivity and transparency in decision-making. To that end, SFA continues to engage with fishers, industry, scientists and other partners on a range of fisheries management initiatives, while our success in becoming the first country to be assessed as compliant with the standard of the Fisheries Transparency Initiative is testament to our accelerating efforts in adhering to the principles we have adopted.

If those instruments will underpin mobilisation, there are pervasive challenges that actors must address in order to achieve the outcomes identified in the theme. A number of our fisheries have reached or exceeded management targets in terms of exploitation levels and now require measures to limit fishing pressure or rebuild stocks. Those challenges pose difficult choices. However, we remain encouraged that local businesses are investing in projects to add post-harvest value and diversify markets, aimed at making the most of our limited resources.

As limits in capture fisheries are reached, the nascent aquaculture sector remains a primary focus for mobilising private sector investment in a sustainable blue economy. Whether it is land-based production of corals for restoration purposes, ranching and restocking of sea cucumber populations, or commercial production of oysters, all are being guided by a robust regulatory framework and best international practices to manage socioecological impact. To implement our aquaculture policy successfully, we recognise the importance of strengthening our education and awareness activities to ensure that development is underpinned by a broad understanding of this new sector.

Sustainability has several dimensions and Seychelles is increasingly prioritising the social and economic aspects, focusing on providing for a more secure future for our primary stakeholders in launching a pension scheme for fishers earlier in the year. With support from the EU-Seychelles Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, the scheme will support the wellbeing of our fishers as they reach retirement age.

In closing, SFA remains committed to the principles highlighted in this year’s theme. We call on all stakeholders and partners to accelerate action and mobilise to conserve our oceans and sustainably harness its resources.

Together, we can ensure that the ocean remains vibrant and productive for generations to come.

Happy World Fisheries Day!