Fishing Licenses
Licenses are permits that a person shall obtain prior to engaging in a fishing activity or a fishing-related activity.
The License and Permit Section, part of the Monitoring Control and Surveillance Department, is responsible for issuing authorisations, licenses, and permits. The team comprises an Assistant Manager, Senior License Officers, and License Officers who process and issue all relevant documentation.
The table outlines the approval structure for issuing fishing licenses and permits. Depending on the type of fishery, authorisation may be granted at different levels of the hierarchy, from the License and Permit Officer up to the CEO.
- Class 1–3 vessels and most artisanal fisheries (net, lobster, spanner crab, octopus, and sea cucumber fishing) can be approved by the License and Permit Assistant Manager, but may also be escalated to the CEO if required.
- Class 3–4 vessels (tuna and tuna-like species), sea cucumber processing, and industrial fishing require higher-level approval (Deputy CEO or CEO) due to their greater commercial scale and risks.
- Certificates of Authorisation may also be approved by the License and Permit Assistant Manager, but may also be escalated up to the CEO if required.
This system balances efficiency for routine cases with stronger executive oversight for high-value or sensitive fisheries.
The table below shows the authorisation levels:
Type of fishing license | Assistant Manager License and Permit | MCS Manager | MCS Head of Department | Deputy CEO | CEO |
Class 1–3 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Class 4 (Tuna and Tuna Like Species) | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ |
Net | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Lobster | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Spanner Crab | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Octopus | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Sea Cumber Fishing | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Sea Cumber Processing | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ |
Industrial Fishing | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ |
Certificate of Authorization | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
All licenses and authorisations are processed and issued by the License and Permit Officers.
For inquiries, please contact us at license@sfa.sc.
Available Fishing Licenses
Explore the range of fishing licenses available for different types of fishing activities in Seychelles. Each license is tailored to ensure sustainable fishing practices while supporting the diverse needs of local and commercial fishers.
Industrial Fishing Licences
Licenses issued for Seychelles Fishing Vessels, Foreign Fishing Vessels, or Joint Venture Vessels to undertake Industrial harvesting of Tuna and Tuna-like species within the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). License fees vary by flag and license duration (6 months to 1 year). A foreign fishing vessel may not be granted a license to fish within the Seychelles EEZ in the absence of a bilateral agreement with the respective flag state of the concerned vessel, or an agreement with an association representing the foreign fishing vessel owners of which the fishing vessel is a member.
Local Licenses
Licenses issued to participate in the multi-species and multi-gear artisanal fishery. Vessels under this category must be 100% owned by one or more citizens of Seychelles, or a company established under any written laws of which all of the shares are beneficially owned by citizens of Seychelles. Applicable license fees for participating in the Semi-Industrial Fishery are SCR500 per vessel for one year.
Licenses issued to participate in the Seasonal Lobster Fishery. License applicants under this category must be citizens of Seychelles, or, in the case of a vessel, must be 100% owned by one or more citizens of Seychelles or a company established under any written laws of which all of the shares are beneficially owned by citizens of Seychelles. Applicable license fees for participating in the lobster fishery are SCR500 for one year with an inclusive compliance bond of SCR5000.
Gear permits are issued to allow the use of nets for the harvesting of Crevice, Mackerel, and Sardines. License applicants under this category must be citizens of Seychelles, or, in the case of a vessel, must be 100% owned by one or more citizens of Seychelles or a company established under any written laws of which all of the shares are beneficially owned by citizens of Seychelles. The applicable license fee for participating in the Semi-Industrial Fishery is SCR100 for one year.
Class 3 - 4 Semi-Industrial Fishing Licences
Licenses issued for semi-industrial fishing vessels to harvest Tuna and tuna-like species only. Vessels under this category are typically between 12m to less than 23.9m in Length Overall (LOA), and must be 100% owned by one or more citizens of Seychelles, or a company established under any written laws of which all of the shares are beneficially owned by citizens of Seychelles. Applicable license fees for participating in the Semi-Industrial (Tuna and Tuna-like Species) Fishery are SCR500 per vessel for one year.
Licenses are issued for fishing vessels to harvest Sea cucumbers during the harvesting seasons, which are typically between September and May/June the following year. Vessels under this category are typically between 12m to less than 23.9m in Length Overall (LOA), and must be 100% owned by one or more citizens of Seychelles, or a company established under any written laws of which all of the shares are beneficially owned by citizens of Seychelles. Applicable license fees for participating in the Semi-Industrial Fishery (Sea Cucumber) are SCR7000 per vessel for one season.
Licensing Process
Current Criteria for Fishing Licenses;
Category | Class 1–4 (Artisanal & Semi-Industrial) | Industrial Sector |
Application | Prescribed form with required documents and fees | Prescribed form with required documents and fees |
Renewal / Transfer | Licenses are non-renewable and non-transferable; a new application required each season or change of ownership | Same principle applies – new application required |
Required Documents | 1. Completed application form 2. Copy of applicant’s ID/passport 4. For companies: a certified Certificate of Incorporation 5. Sale agreement/receipt for new vessels 6. Payment of license fee | 1. Vessel registration in PRC 2. Proof of seaworthiness 3. Appointment of local agent 4. Vessel tracking device (VMS) and electronic reporting system (ERS) fitted and compatible 5. Equipped for industrial pelagic longline 6. Owner and master in good standing 8. Vessel not listed on any RFMO IUU list 9. Copy of International Tonnage Certificate (for first-time license/authorisation) 10. Payment of prescribed license fees |
Language & Form | Applications must be in English; fully completed, current, accurate, signed by the owner, company director or authorised person | Applications must be in English; fully completed, current, accurate, and signed by the owner or local agent |
Administrative Process | 1. Initial Review – check completeness, return if deficient 2. Vessel Marking –SFA number, set marking standards 3. Pre-License Checks – inspection and photos by Enforcement Officer 4. Payment – fee (e.g., SCR 500 semi-industrial) 5. Approval – by Assistant Manager, License and Permit/MCS Manager/HOD, DCEO, CEO, depending on class 6. Issuance of a license certificate | 1. Initial Review – check completeness, return if deficient 2. Vessel Marking –SFA number, set marking standards 3. Pre-License Checks – inspection and photos by Enforcement Officer, VMS and compliance verifications 4. Payment – prescribed fees for the full period of validity of the license 5. Approval – higher-level approval required (DCEO/CEO) due to scale of operations 6. Issuance of a license certificate |
Fees | Paid by applicant directly to SFA (cash/visa). | Prescribed fees payable by the vessel owner for the full license period. Payment must be made to the designated Seychelles account as provided by the Central Bank of Seychelles. |