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The Seychelles National Report summarizes activities of the Seychelles’ fishing fleet targeting tuna and tuna-like species in the WIO for the year 2017 in comparison with previous years. It also summarizes research, and data collection related activities as well as actions undertaken in 2017 to implement Scientific Committee recommendations and IOTC Conservation and Management Measures.
The Seychelles purse seine fleet increased from 8 vessels in 2012 to 13 vessels in 2017. The number of supply vessels also increased from 4 to 8 during the same period. In 2017 the nominal effort decreased by 821 days (20%) when compared to the previous year to a total of 3,271 days fished, whilst the overall catch increased by 13% from 108,613MT in 2016 to 122,202 MT in 2017. Catches of yellowfin tuna increased by 4% from (40,121 MT to 41,711 MT), whilst catches of skipjack and bigeye tuna also increased by 15% and 33% respectively. Catch rate increased from 26.55 Mt/Fishing days to 37.36 Mt/Fishing days.
Two more fishing vessels joined the Seychelles Industrial longline fleet in 2017 making a total of 48 vessels. The total catch reported by this fleet for 2017 was estimated at 10,243 MT representing a decrease of 32% in catches, as a consequence of a significant decrease (29%) in fishing effort. Catches were dominated by NEI category comprising of mostly ‘oilfish’ (30%). Bigeye tuna and yellowfin tuna, represented 27% and 23% respectively.
In 2017, the semi industrial fishery recorded the highest catch since the beginning of the fishery, with a total of 1,162 Mt, representing an increase of 18% over the previous year. The fishing effort also increased by 66% from 1.23 million hooks set in 2016 to 2.05 million hooks in 2017. However, catch rate decreased from 0.80 MT/1000 hooks to 0.57 MT/1000 hooks. Yellowfin catch increase by 26% from 585 MT to 740 MT for the period under review.
During 2017, SFA continued to implement various actions to improve the quantity and quality of data collected from its fleet targeting tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean. Actions include improved logbook for data capture, review and upgrade of data collection and management system, capacity building for field samplers and implementation of National Scientific Observer Programme. Current coverage level for the observer programme on the purse seine fleet is at 38% of all sets. Electronic Monitoring System are also being tested, particularly for industrial longliners, currently not being covered by human observers.
