On July 27, 2026, the European Union and the Republic of Seychelles signed a new fisheries access protocol, ending five months of suspension. Since February 23, 2026, European vessels had been operating without a formal agreement in Seychellois waters. The renewed protocol runs for four years and governs access to one of the Indian Ocean's most productive tuna fishing zones.
55,000-tonne quota and 38 vessels authorised
The new protocol authorises up to 38 European vessels — 30 purse seine vessels and 8 longliners — to operate in Seychelles' exclusive economic zone. The annual quota is set at 55,000 tonnes of tuna and migratory species. European shipowners pay a fee of €90 per tonne caught.
The EU's total financial contribution amounts to €23 million over four years. Of this, €3 million is earmarked for support to Seychelles' sustainable fisheries sector, notably through its participation in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).
A strategic deal for both sides
For the EU, the agreement is critical: tuna accounted for 11% of total EU fish and aquaculture imports in 2024. "Today's renewal demonstrates the values on which the EU is founded: reliable cooperation, sustainable fishing, and a stronger economy," said EU Commissioner Costas Kadis.
For Seychelles, the deal provides a stable revenue stream for an archipelago whose economy rests on two complementary pillars: tourism — with the highest GDP per capita in Africa — and industrial fisheries.
Why it matters
In the Indian Ocean, fishery resources are a strategic asset under growing pressure. The renewal of this agreement, after five months of legal uncertainty, is a reminder that bilateral accords are fragile and that any delay weighs on local processing and export industries. For Mauritius, Madagascar, and the Comoros — which also manage their exclusive economic zones and negotiate similar agreements — the Seychelles model remains an essential reference point.
Sources: EUNews, July 27, 2026; Direction générale du Trésor, Indian Ocean Economic Briefs, August 2026