Export of Fish from Seychelles Challenges and lessons learnt

SEYCHELLES

• Archipelago of 115 granite and coral islands

• lie between 480km and 1,600km from the east coast of Africa in the western Indian Ocean.

• The republic of Seychelles occupies a land area of 455 km² and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.4 million km².

Fishing sector

• Marine fisheries are a key contributor to the social, economic and cultural fabric of Seychelles.

• The fishing industry is made up of three main sub-sector:

1) Artisanal fishery (Whalers and schooners with in board engines)2) Semi-industrial fishery ( Longliners between 19-23 meters)3) Industrial fishery(Purse seiners)

Production of Fish Product

Volume and Value of fish export

1.Products and export countries

PRODUCTS FROM INDUSTRIAL TUNA

FISHERY

Product and export countriesCanned tuna exported to Europe

Private standards

Whole frozen tuna by Seychelles Registered Vessels

Product and export countries

Product and export countriesFishmeal mainly exported to :

• Sri Lanka, • Australia, • Ghana• Madagascar• Taiwan

Product and export countriesTuna oil by OPS :

Products from Artisanal and Semi-industrial

fishery

Product and export countriesExport of Fresh fish :

• In 2013 total of 134 Tonnes of fresh fish were exported by the two main processors(Oceana Fisheries and Sea Harvest)

• Main species exported include:

• Red snapper and other groupers• Job fish• Sword fish• Yellow fin• King fish

Non-commercial export 2009 - 2010

Product and export countries

2. Advantages underpining the business Industrial fishing• Seychelles is located close to the tuna fishing ground of South West

Indian Ocean. • Most of the catch by international fishing vessels use Seychelles as their

base. This ensures a constant supply of good quality raw material for canning.

• The Tuna cannery has been benefiting from government exclusivity in tuna processing for several year.

• Availability of labour from neighboring countries• Tuna fishery has been managed by IOTC (Indian Ocean Tuna Commission)

and SFA (Seychelles Fishing Authority) for decades• Seychelles has been obtaining help from IFREMER (Institut français de

recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer) and IRD (Institut de Recherche et Developpement)

• Obtained substantial expertise in stevedoring, landing , sorting of tuna

2. Advantages underpining the business Artisanal fishing• Seychelles fish is free from ciguatera fish poisoning due to its

geographical location• Second largest EEZ in the western Indian Ocean (1.5m km sq) after

south Africa.• The vaste Mahe plateau (size) produce an abundance of demersal

species free from chemical and micro biological contamination.• Fisheries being the second pillar of the Seychelles economy is given

adequate priority by government. • SFA has been managing the fisheries resources since its existence 30

years ago. • The Fisheries industry has continuously been benefitting from EU ,

Japan and Korean assistance.

3. Export assurance system

a. Ownership structure• Competent Authority for Fish export is the FIQCU (Fish Inspection and

Quality Control Unit) which falls under the Seychelles Bureau of Standards.

b. Government involvement• The government has a central involvement as it falls under the Ministry of

Industry• Export of Fishery Products Act is based on the EU and Codex requirements

c. Type of Quality Assurance system • All processors and freezer vessels have the HACCP program and pre-

requisite program (SOP and SSOP) • The larger company has been approved for the ISO 9001: 2008 Quality

Management System and is also BRC , IFS, ISO and 22,000 approved

d. Involvement of independent verification

• The Competent Authority (CA) audits the approved establishments, approved vessel and landing sites.

• Sampling and analysis based on EU sanitary regulations are also done for:• Official Sampling and Analysis for Histamine• Heavy metals• Microbial parameters• Water samples• Hygiene on food contact surfaces

• SBS is the reference laboratory for fish and fishery products for export.

• Companies having private standards such as ASDA, TESCO, etc also perform their own audits namely of the producer and exporter of can tuna.

3. Export assurance system

3. Export assurance system e. Degree and frequency of foreign audit

• The CA receives audit from the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) of DG SANCO every 3 or 4 year to evaluate the public health conditions for the production of fishery products for export to the EU.

• Companies manufacturing for private standards and certified by BRC and IFS have annual audits.

• Physical inspection and sampling for laboratory analysis are done at the Border Inspection Point in the EU in particular.

f. Importance of supply chain integration

• Supply for tuna is almost entirely produced locally. For trade reason/customers specifications, small quantity is imported

• Tuna vessels also provide an important amount of pelagic by-catch which can be used for human consumption and pet food.

• Demersal species for local consumption and export is 100% locally produced

• Small amount of seafood/fish are imported for local consumption/ tourism industry

3. Export assurance system

g. Role of partnerships

• Seychelles CA has been trying to develop partnership and collaboration with other CA in the region to share experience and expertise in this field but this has not so far proven to be successful.

• The EU, Japan and Korea are major partner in assisting the development of the fisheries sector in Seychelles.

• Seychelles also benefit from regional projects in partnership regional funding organization such as IOTC, NEPAD, COMESA, IFAD

3. Export assurance system

4. Challenges and lessons learnt Complying to the EU sanitary requirement • Standards for Freezer vessels • Processing establishments • HACCP auditing• Food safety condition, e,g heavy metals testing, dioxins, PAH, Etc,

Mercury in swordfish is a very serious issue• Laboratory accreditation for all parameters tested in products for EU

export • Staff turnover is very high, limited number of highly trained

personnel e,g microbiologist, laboratory technologist

• No stand alone cold store to accommodate industrial fishing

• Overcrowding at the industrial port during good fishing season

• No proper collection centre and organised market for artisanal catch

• No direct air link to important market such as Japan and the USA for export of fresh fish on ice

4. Challenges and lessons learnt

5. Recommendations

• Obtain assistance for the development and implementation of EU/International fishery legislation

• A good level of training for inspectors and laboratory personnel should be identified with required funding.

• Reliable and credible laboratory facilities and services• Position the Competent authority in such that it receives maximum

governmental support• Government must allocate sufficient resources for the Competent

Authority to operate effectively. • Involve all relevant stakeholders in the process of consultation and

decision making.• Try to establish partnership and MOU with other CA in the region for

exchange of experience and expertise.

6. 5 Core principles for credible export assurance System

1. A strong Competent Authority with sufficient and well trained and motivated personnel 2. Use modern set of legislations and standards based on Codex and EU requirements

3. Setting up an accredited testing laboratory with good equipment, facilities and maintenance programs

4. A very good working relationship with the stakeholders, be it processors, boat owners, fishers, etc.

5. Quality assurance and management systems based on HACCP requirements in place