‘Highly damaging measure’ threatens 20,000 job in Mauritius seafood sector

Under pressure from the International Pole and Line Foundation, a London- based NGO, and with Indonesia at the forefront, a meeting of representatives of the member states of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission has reportedly adopted a “highly damaging measure” for the Mauritian seafood sector, under the guise of protecting the yellowfin tuna stock in the Indian Ocean.

With the decision to phase out the use of drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), Europêche has warned that canneries in Mauritius and the Seychelles may not survive, as these businesses depend on the purse seine fleet for their supply of raw material.

The purse seine fishery contributes 20,000 jobs and guarantees the access to the EU market, which brings good opportunities to Mauritius, to enhance its economy.

The Princes Tuna Mauritius Group, one of the main operators in the tuna canning industry, has expressed serious concerns on the application of this ban.

The seafood hub contributes 13% to the GDP of Mauritius, almost similar to the Global Business Sector. Local authorities have 120 days to appeal against the ban.

Source: Le Mauricien