LocationsThe training aims to provide fishers with knowledge that will enhance their technical capacity to go beyond over-fished lagoons for more profitable and sustainable catches.
The Mauritius E€OFISH Project supports longline fishing training for artisanal fishers.
March 1, 2023
The event was attended by the UNDP Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles, the Honorable Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, the Ambassador of the European Union, officers of the Ministry of Blue Economy and the Commission for Fisheries in Rodrigues, members of the UNDP E€OFISH Project team and representatives of the fisher community.
UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles/ Jean-Yan Norbert
A launching ceremony for longline fishing training targeting artisanal fishers across Mauritius and Rodrigues was held at Fisheries Training and Extension Centre (FITEC) on 27 February 2023. The event was attended by Ms. Amanda Serumaga, the UNDP Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles, the Honorable Mr. Sudheer Maudhoo, Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, and His Excellency Mr. Vincent Degert, Ambassador of the European Union. Officers of the Ministry of Blue Economy and the Commission for Fisheries in Rodrigues, members of the UNDP E€OFISH Project team and representatives of the fisher community were also present during the launch.
Longline fishing is a technique that enables fishers to target high commercial value demersal fish and pelagic species such as tuna, dorado, and wahoo fish. The training, which is being proposed under the EU-funded UNDP E€OFISH project in collaboration with the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, aims to provide fishers with knowledge that will enhance their technical capacity to go beyond over-fished lagoons for more profitable and sustainable catches. The training, which will be delivered over a period of 30 days, will benefit 60 artisanal fishers and 6 fisheries officers (2 from Rodrigues) and will be supported by Mr. Keith Andre, a Master-fisherman/Longline Expert from the Seychelles, and the officers of the Fisheries Training and Extension Centre.
Building capacity of the artisanal fishers for more sustainable fishing
During the ceremony, Ms. Amanda Serumaga, the UNDP Resident Representative for Mauritius and Seychelles, emphasized how the long line training and other facilities provided under the E€OFISH project address the financial, social, and educational needs of the fisher community. She acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Blue Economy and the European Union for the project and reiterated the UNDP's commitment to South-South Cooperation, as demonstrated by the participation of Mr. Keith Andre from the Seychelles.
His Excellency, Mr. Vincent Degert, Ambassador of the European Union, acknowledged the contribution of the artisanal fishing community to food security, particularly in the context of the triple planetary crisis and other ongoing global crises. Mr. Degert stated that capacity building amongst the fishing community is essential as fishers need to adapt to new realities at sea to sustain the supply of fish and other sea products to local and international markets.
The Honorable Mr. Sudheer Maudhoo, Minister of Blue Economy, also emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing and the integration of the youth in the fishing community to ensure the future of the fisheries sector in the country. He expressed the Government’s vision to extend the training to more fishers in the future, developing a local longline fishing workforce.