Fisheries Planning and Licensing Division

Fisheries Planning and Licensing Division

1. Fisheries Planning

Services provided :

The Planning Unit is responsible for planning, implementation of fisheries policies, compiling and processing of fisheries information.

It carries out amongst others the following:

• Formulate and develop appropriate policy instruments for the fisheries sector;

• Assist in the planning and formulation of strategies to implement Government policies for the sustainable development and management of the fisheries sector;

• Assessment of fisheries development projects and assistance/advice to fishers and investors in design and write-up of new projects;

• Provide inputs for negotiations under bilateral and multilateral cooperation for Agreements/MOUs for financial and technical assistance for fisheries projects including market access to sustain the development the fisheries sector;

• Provides coordinated inputs for the ministry/other ministries/organizations in preparation of documents with respect to bilateral/multilateral cooperation, Economic Partnership Agreement, Public Sector Investment Programme, etc.

2. Licensing Unit

Services provided:

i. Issue of fishing licences to Mauritian and foreign fishing boats/vessels to operate in the EEZ of Mauritius.

ii. Issue/ renew fishing licences for semi-industrial and banks fishing boats/ vessels.

iii. Appraisal and processing of new fishing projects.

iv. Provide information to potential stakeholders of the fishing industry.

Service Standard:

a) Maintain the highest standard of integrity and probity in dealing with our customers.

b) Deliver a rapid and efficient service.

3. Customer Promise

(a) Licensing of fishing vessels:

i. To provide the necessary information concerning different types of fisheries and give advice for new comers in the Fishing Industry

ii. Assessment of new projects and provide a reply within fifteen (15) days after submission (local vessels)

iii. Renewal of licences for local fishing boats/ vessels effected within seven (7) working days once all the necessary documents are submitted.

iv. In case of foreign fishing boats/vessels, once all the necessary documents are submitted a licence is issued within fourteen working days.

(b) In case of a new project:

A complete project proposal describing the project objectives, the general economic, financial and social benefits, the justification of key elements of the project, project strategy, project components (vessels, ice-plants, equipment etc), project costs and phasing, project structure, organization and management. (A project write-up guideline can be downloaded ).

Once the project is accepted, a Letter of Intent will be issued to the promoter.

The promoter would then be required to submit the documents listed in section 4 (a) below for processing of the fishing licence.

4. Requirements for application of a Mauritian Fishing Licence

(a) Documents required for processing of an application for a new licence or for the renewal of existing local fishing licences:

i. Duly filled application form for fishing licence (available on the Fisheries Website).

ii. Copy of the Certificate of registration of the vessel.

iii. Copy of Hull and Machinery Certificate issued by the Shipping Division for vessels above 24 Metres LOA, or issued by approved surveyors for boats less than 24 Metres LOA.

iv. Copy of Safety Equipment Certificate issued by the Shipping Division for vessels above 24 Metres LOA, or issued by approved surveyors for boats less than 24 Metres LOA.

v. Copy of Insurance Certificates for boat/vessel, crew and fishermen.

vi. Proof of installation of transponder for VMS reporting.

vii. Copy of Ship Station Licence (Issued by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority-ICTA).

viii. Duly filled VMS register form.

ix. Qualifications of Skipper and Chief Mechanic.

x. Proof of payment of communication fee (VMS) to Mauritius Telecom.

xi. Proof of installation of Automatic Identification System (AIS) Class B type for vessels less than 300 Gross registered Tonnage (GRT) and Class A type for vessels more than 300 GRT.

(b) Fishing Licence Fees Charged:

i. For a Mauritian purse seiner US $ 30,000 per annum. US $ 7,500 for 90 days and US $ 2,500 for any additional period of 30 days or part thereof.

ii. For a Mauritian longliner Rs 1,000 per annum.

iii. For a Mauritian handliner Rs 1,000 per annum.

iv. VMS fee US $ 3,600 per annum. US $ 900 for 90 days and US $ 300 for any additional period of 30 days or part thereof.

v. Refundable logbook fee US $ 1,000.

(c) Documents required for processing of an application for a foreign fishing licence

i. Duly filled application form for fishing licence (available on the Fisheries Website).

ii. Certificate of Nationality of the fishing vessel.

iii. Application for VMS register.

iv. Copy of Ship Station Licence.

v. Record of fishing vessel in IOTC active and positive list.

vi. Confirmation from Argos that VMS data will be transmitted to Fisheries Monitoring Centre of the Ministry during fishing campaigns.

vii. Proof of installation of Automatic Identification System (AIS) Class B type for vessels less than 300 Gross registered Tonnage (GRT) and Class A type for vessels more than 300 GRT.

(d) Fishing licence fee for a Foreign Longline:

· A processing fee of Rs 500 should be paid on submission of the application form for a fishing licence.

· The licence fee for vessels of length (LOA) of 24 metres and above is USD12 000 for a minimum licence period of 90 days and USD 4 000 for any additional 30 days or part thereof.

· For boats less than 24 metres in length (LOA) the licence fee is USD 9 000 for a minimum licence period of 90 days and USD 3 000 for any additional 30 days or part thereof.

· A sum of USD 1 000 should be deposited along with each licence fee. This deposit is refundable upon submission of properly filled logbooks.

· Vessels calling at Port Louis should submit their logbooks to the officers of Port State Control Unit of the Ministry of Fisheries who inspect the vessels upon arrival.

· For vessels not calling at Port Louis, logbooks shall be submitted within 90 days after the expiry of the licence.

· The licensee shall, moreover pay a non-refundable sum of USD 900 at the time of payment of the licence fee to cover the costs of all communications, i.e. normal periodic reporting and polling of the vessel/boat under the Vessel Monitoring System for a period of 90 days and USD 300 for any additional 30-day period or part thereof.

(e) Fishing licence fee for a Foreign Purse Seine:

1. The licence fee is USD 7 500 for a minimum licence period of 90 days and USD 2 500 for any additional 30 days or part thereof.

2. The licensee shall, moreover pay a non-refundable sum of USD 900 at the time of

3. Payment of the licence fee to cover the costs of all communications, i.e. normal periodic reporting and polling of the vessel/boat under the Vessel Monitoring System for a period of 90 days and USD 300 for any additional 30-day period or part thereof.

Download Application Form:

----Application for a fishing licence (local boat or vessel)

----Application for a fishing licence (local boat or vessel) (Advanced Coastal Fishery)

----Application for a foreign fishing (foreign boat or vessel)

----Application for registration Vessel Monitoring System(Ammended 2024)

----Guidelines for fisheries development projects

How to contact us:

Address: Divisional Scientific Officer

Fisheries Planning and Licensing Division

Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources,

Fisheries and Shipping ( Fisheries Division)

Head Office, 4th Floor, LICI Building,