Seychelles and the European Union (EU) have today signed a new Implementing Protocol to the EU-Seychelles Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) in Brussels. The four-year agreement secures vital economic continuity for Seychelles, directly protecting local maritime jobs, boosting port activities, and injecting millions into the national economy and local fisheries development.
Under the terms of the new protocol, up to 30 EU purse seiner vessels and 8 longliners will be granted access to Seychelles’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with a total EU financial contribution of €23 million approximately SCR 373 million over the four-year period. Of this amount, €3 million per year (€12 million total) is specifically dedicated as sectoral support to enhance and develop Seychelles’ local fisheries industry.
In addition to the financial contribution from the EU, EU vessel owners will pay fishing access fees (€90 per tonne) with an advance payment of €72,000 per purse seiner vessel directly to Seychelles through SFA, alongside dedicated fees reserved for environmental management and marine ecosystem observation.
While maintaining high standards of sustainable ocean governance, the new protocol ensures substantial economic spinoffs for the local economy, keeping Port Victoria at the heart of regional tuna operations.
Port Victoria remains the primary operational and transhipment hub for the EU tuna fleet in the Indian Ocean. This guarantees continued demand for local stevedoring services, bunkering, provisioning, and shore-based support, directly safeguarding livelihoods in the local economy linked to this industry.
The agreement ensures a continuous and reliable supply of tuna to the local canning facility (IOT) as well as the bycatch processing sector, securing local employment and boosting export capacities.
A major portion of the annual €3 million sectoral support fund will be channelled directly toward the artisanal and small-scale fishing sector, providing upgraded infrastructure, improved safety equipment, and modernising facilities for Seychellois fishers.
Targeted funding will go toward supporting the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA) to train the next generation of Seychellois seafarers, skippers, and technicians, equipping them with international qualifications under ILO and IMO standards. The agreement also caters for job opportunities for Seychellois fishers on board the EU vessels.
Minister Cosgrow emphasised on the enduring partnership and cooperation between Seychelles and the European Union in the fisheries sector, highlighting fisheries as a foundational pillar of the Seychelles economy. The Minister reaffirmed the country’s commitment to sustainable ocean governance and expressed enthusiasm for further strengthening bilateral relations to drive local socio-economic growth, stating that beyond securing significant financial returns and environmental safeguards, this agreement protects the backbone of our local onshore economy, from our stevedores and port workers to the workers at our local processing facilities. Most importantly, the dedicated sectoral funds will directly empower our local artisanal fishermen and invest heavily in our youth at the Seychelles Maritime Academy, ensuring that the benefits of our marine resources are felt right here at home.”
The protocol applies provisionally as of 27 July 2026 to ensure no further disruption in port activities and local supply chains while by both parties complete their formal ratification procedures.
