Fisheries Planning and Licensing Division
1. Fisheries Planning
Services provided :
The Planning Unit assists the Ministry in providing inputs for formulating fisheries policies and strategies, compiling and processing of fisheries information. The main activities carried out by the Unit include:
- Assist/follow-up matters in evolving of fisheries policies relating to Regional/ Bilateral/ Multilateral Cooperation: with respect to UK, EU, ESA, AU, FTA, AfCFTA, WTO, SADC, COMESA, IORA, SWIOFC, SIOFA,etc.
- Assists in the follow-up of projects under regional, bilateral and international cooperations.
- Providing inputs Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and Agreements signed by this Ministry to the International Trade Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RI and -IT and the Ministry of Finance.
- Drafting and reviewing of MoUs and Fishing Agreements for cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture.
- Follow-up on activities of signed agreements and MoUs.
- Provide inputs to prepare Cabinet/Information Papers, Note for Mention, Parliamentary Questions, briefs and reports on fisheries & speeches for Minister.
- Assist in Budget Preparation and implementation of Government Programme and attending to queries from Internal/External Audit/National Audit Office.
- Liaison and collaboration with local organisations, NGOs and other Ministries on fisheries issues.
- Drafting of Annual Performance Report and compile Achievements of the Fisheries Division.
- Follow-up on issues relating to constraints from fishermen and matters relating to welfare of fishermen.
- Assist in drafting the implementation of Cannotte Scheme and Semi-industrial fishing Scheme for procurement to fishing vessels by fishermen and update status in the EPMIS platform on a monthly basis.
- Monitoring and report on implementation of projects under the Fisheries Sectoral Support Programme of the Fisheries Partnership Agreement.
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)
Contact details:
Divisional Scientific Officer
Fisheries Planning and Licensing Division
Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries
(Blue Economy and Fisheries Division)
4th Floor, LICI Building,
John Kennedy Street, Port Louis
Tel: (230) 211 – 2470-75 (230) 2110604
Fax: (230) 208- 7956 or (230) 208-1929
e-mail: blueconomy@govmu.org
Website http://blueconomy.govmu.org
