The development of the lobster fishery in the Seychelles
Two different groups of lobsters are of commercial importance in the Seychelles: spiny lobsters and slipper lobsters. The spiny lobsters are: Panulirus penicillatus, Panulirus longipes, Panulirus versicolor and Panulirus ornatus. Fishing for spiny lobster in Seychelles is a traditional activity in the shallow waters surrounding the main granitic Islands. Fishing is conducted at night by skin divers operating with lights. Following the development of the tourist industry during the seventies the local demand for lobsters increased to several tonnes a year. After being open for many years, the fishery was closed from 1983 to 1989. The fishery was reopen from December 1989 to May 1990, during which time an estimated 10 tonnes of spiny lobsters were supplied to the local market. The regulations for lobster fishing included: a closed season from the 1st May to 30th of September; a minimal size of 7,5 cm cephalothoracic length; a ban on the catching of berried females; no fishing was allowed in marine parks and reserves; and all lobsters had to be sold alive to one company (SMB). Subsequently, the fishery was closed again due to abuse of the regulations. Since the closure, 15 tonnes of frozen lobsters per year were imported from Singapore, representing an expenditure of 225.000 US$. The imported lobsters are of the same species as the local one. In September 1991, a lobster survey began, to better assess the resource on the granitic areas of the Mahe plateau. It is anticipated that if limited to the granitic areas a well managed artisanal fishery will not supply 15 tonnes a year to the local market. It is therefore recommended that the lobster artisanal fishery be developed in the outer Islands. One of the main constraints of that development is a problem of quality control. It is felt that this constraint could be overcome by using the right preservation methods and by organizing training course. A research survey in the Amirantes is proposed in order to better assess the resource and assess the development possibilities.
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| Format: | Report biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
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Seychelles Fishing Authority
1991
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| Subjects: | Panulirus, Thenus orientalis, Fishery industry, Fishery development, Fishery data, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/5120 |
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