The Seychelles Mariculture Master Plan.

This Seychelles Mariculture Master Plan, based on Ecosystems Approach to Aquaculture (EAA) and international best practices (FAO Code of Conduct), develops a sustainable, environmentally responsible aquaculture and mariculture industry in the country, in order to: contribute to food security, generate economic growth and employment, align with the Blue Economy strategy. This Master Plan aims to achieve the following specific objectives: promoting investment and sustainable growth in the aquaculture sector; realising the economic potential of the aquaculture sector; maximising the socio-economic benefits of the aquaculture sector for society; promoting aquaculture at the large and small and medium scale enterprises (SME) scale; developing an enabling institutional environment for the development of the aquaculture sector; strengthening appropriate aquaculture technology through research and development; developing the necessary industry support services for the sector; building the necessary human capacity for development of the sector; enhancing the perception of aquaculture in the country and its many benefits; promoting aquaculture as an important component of integrated coastal management; establishing aquaculture as a supplementary source of fish for domestic markets; promoting aquaculture as a pivotal component of the Blue Economy; developing an aquaculture industry compatible with responsible stewardship of the marine environment and its resources.
This Master Plan comprises several chapters covering: the fisheries and the opportunities presented by the Blue Economy, including industrial tuna fisheries, artisanal fisheries targeting demersal and semi-pelagic fish and invertebrate species, and the recreational and sport fishery; fish supply and demand; the Mariculture Master Plan frameworks, covering: strategic framework, legislative and regulatory framework, administrative framework and creation of enabling environment for investors, biophysical and oceanographic framework, based on the precautionary principle, bio-economic and production framework, defining farming opportunities on the inner and specific outer islands and detailing the most promising candidate species for farming in the Seychelles; Seychelles aquaculture standards, concerning: effluent and waste management, aquaculture in sustainable use areas, biosecurity protocols for hatcheries, responsible sea cucumber farming, ranching and stock enhancement on the outer islands, responsible prawn farming in ponds, fish health management; environmental impact of fish cage aquaculture; ecological carrying capacity.