Fisheries - 10 Year Fisheries Development Plan
Summary conclusions
for the fisheries sector
The overriding
conclusion is that there is limited potential for the further development of
marine capture fisheries, except perhaps, for off shore highly migratory pelagic
species such as tunas and swordfish, or for aquaculture in Mauritius. Emphasis
must therefore be placed on sustainable resource use and protection of the
marine environment (i.e. management), and on maximising returns from existing
fisheries through value addition. Additionally, the opportunities to increase
production through limited and cautious development of under-utilised resources,
and appropriate aquaculture may be explored.
Recommendations
common to management and development of the marine environment and fisheries
include:
Manage
all fisheries and the environment according to internationally recognised codes
of conduct. Establish adequate monitoring, resource assessment and control
systems, and as more information becomes available develop detailed biological
management plans for each fishery.
Establish a trust
fund from licence and other sources of revenue for financing fisheries research
and management.
Give the Ministry of
Fisheries primary responsibility for management of fishery resources in
Rodrigues with greater involvement of AFRC staff there.
Freeze the current
number of registered fishers and vessels.
Introduce a limited
entry licensing system for ALL vessels and fishers engaged in fishing activities
to replace the registration system.
Introduce/upgrade
licensing system for all middlemen and processing facilities in the post harvest
sector.
Implement a
fisheries information management system to integrate data from common resources
exploited by different categories of vessel. This system should also integrate
licensing and other relevant data.
Involve fishing
community representatives in a co-management consultation process where
practicable, and ensure dissemination of information.
This 10
year development plan outlines a budget for MRs 437 millions to achieve the
proposed management and development recommendations which follow. It must be
stressed that whilst limited potential for further development exists, a budget
of the magnitude proposed is justified. In the absence of environmental and
fishery management both the marine coastal environment and fishery resources
will be severely degraded resulting in not only their loss to the economy, but
also serious damage to the tourist industry.
