The European Union and the Republic of Seychelles officially renewed their sustainable fisheries partnership agreement on 27 July 2026. Valid for 4 years, the new protocol authorises up to 38 European vessels to operate within the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), in exchange for an EU financial contribution of €23 million.
55,000 tonnes of tuna per year, 38 European vessels
The authorised catch quota is set at 55,000 tonnes per year of tuna and associated migratory species. The authorised fleet includes up to 30 purse seiners and 8 longliners — primarily Spanish, French and Portuguese. Shipowners contribute €90 per tonne caught, with additional fees covering environmental management and marine ecosystem monitoring.
Of the €23 million paid by the EU, €3 million is directed towards supporting the sustainable fisheries sector in Seychelles — funding fisheries resource monitoring, strengthening inspection capacity and training local officers.
A strategic agreement for the Indian Ocean
The Seychelles EEZ is one of the richest tuna fishing grounds in the Indian Ocean. This agreement positions Seychelles as a key actor in regional fisheries resource governance, alongside the IOC (Indian Ocean Commission) and regional fisheries management bodies such as the IOTC.
The backdrop is a global tuna industry under pressure: EU demand stands at 2.68 kg of tuna per person per year, and tuna accounts for 11% of the EU's total fisheries import volume. Seychelles captures a significant share of this supply chain, making the agreement mutually vital.
Why it matters
For Seychelles, this agreement is far more than a fishing protocol: it is a source of predictable sovereign revenues and a tool for developing the local fisheries sector. By directing €3 million towards sustainability, the deal acknowledges that stock preservation is a prerequisite for long-term prosperity — a message the entire Indian Ocean region should incorporate into its marine resource governance.
Source: European Commission, Le Journal des Archipels, July 2026.