December 1, 2006

FISHERMEN COMPLAIN ABOUT GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO REMOVE THEIR FISHING BOATS

Boats to be removed

The fishermen who ordinarily moor their fishing boats at Roche Caiman next to the Angel Fish business premises have complained that they have been forced to stop mooring their boats in the area since the land has been transferred to Angel Fish by Government. Angel Fish intends to expand their business and requested that the fisherman move their boats elsewhere. The fishermen have complained that although they do not object to moving, the government has failed to provide alternative site where they can safely moor their boats.

They have thus refused to move until the government allocates them alternative mooring facilities for their boats. The police and the Seychelles Ports Authority even got involved to force the fishermen off their current mooring spots. The fishermen have complained that they were not given any notice and they were surprised when the police and the Seychelles Ports Authority’s representatives unexpectedly came on the site and requested them to move their boats elsewhere.

The fishermen, who claim that they have to come back from fishing trips at 3.00am or 4.00am in the morning and therefore needed the facilities, begged for a reprieve until such time that an alternative site and facilities have been identified for them to moor their fishing boats. At the time of going to press it is not known whether the situation has been resolved. 

Copyright 2006: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles