Delegations from the Seychelles and the European Union met in Victoria on 21 and 22 September 2026 to conclude two key bilateral fisheries meetings under the framework of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements which covers EU vessels fishing in Seychelles waters, and on Seychelles vessels fishing in Mayotte water under the jurisdiction of the EU
The first Joint Committee Meeting under the new Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) Protocol 2026-2030 which was signed by the Parties in July 2026 was co-chaired by Mr. Roy Clarisse (Principal Secretary for Fisheries, Seychelles) and Mr. Luis Molledo (Head of Unit, DG MARE, European Commission), the Parties formally launched operations under the new 4-year SFPA Protocol.
Following the provisional application of the Protocol, Seychelles confirmed a total of 22 fishing authorisations have been issued to EU vessels (18 purse seiners and 4 support vessels) so far. The uptake of fishing authorisations under the new Protocol is expected to be similar as in previous years, at 26 EU purse seine vessels.
During the meeting, the Parties approved the multiannual sectoral support framework for 2026–2030, and its first instalment workplan for the year 2026/2027. Key priorities of the sectoral support focus on artisanal fisheries community benefits and empowerment, including for fishers associations and community infrastructure, the second phase of development for aquaculture development in Seychelles, maritime scientific research, monitoring control and surveillance, capacity building .and support to the Seychelles Maritime Academy and the Fish Inspection Quality Control Unit of the Seychelles Bureau of Standards. The total sectoral support under the new Protocol is Euro 12 million over the four years period and an annual sum of Euro three million has been approved for the for the first workplan for 2026-2027.
The Parties also reviewed the reciprocal access agreement allowing Seychelles-flagged vessels to fish in the waters of Mayotte.
The meetings took place at the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy, Seychelles.
