The Designated Minister and Minister responsible for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Jean-François Ferrari, attended the launch of ‘Les Assises de la Pêche’ from December 19-21, 2022 in Rodrigues.
He was accompanied by Annie Vidot, a fisheries scientist from the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA).
This was the second Regional and National High-Level Strategic Orientation Multi-Stakeholder Consultative meeting that was held in Rodrigues.
The main aim of the meeting was to develop a sustainable and profitable strategy and action plan for the artisanal fisheries sector in Rodrigues and to learn from best practices.
While on this visit, Minister Ferrari had the opportunity to meet with the chief commissioner of Rodrigues, Johnson Rousetty; the commissioner for agriculture, Louis Ange Perrine; and the representatives of women affairs and culture.
Further to that, the minister had the pleasure of having a tour of the Sea Pearl production farm at the ‘Parc Tortue’ Beach as well as the ‘Maison des Pêcheurs’ where he got to interact with the octopus fisherwomen of Rodrigues and learned from their experience.
During a workshop that was held on December 20, Minister Ferrari spoke about the successes and challenges of the Seychelles’ fisheries sector and noted that there is great potential in regional collaborations and exchanges between Seychelles and Rodrigues moving forward. This is particularly of benefit for octopus fishery in Seychelles given that the SFA is currently implementing a SeyCCAT-funded octopus project for the effective establishment of an Octopus Fishery Management Plan.
Minister Ferrari left Rodrigues on a hopeful note as he aims to see the two countries working closely together moving forward to strengthen their fisheries sector.
The accompanying photos show Minister Ferrari during his visit to the Sea Pearl production farm at the ‘Parc Tortue’ Beach as well as the ‘Maison des Pêcheurs’.
Press release from the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy
Special announcement: The people of Rodrigues wish to send their best regards to Bishop Alain Harel, the Bishop of the Diocese of Port Victoria, the former Vicar Apostolic of Rodrigues.
Source: Seychelles Nation