The Aquatic Business
Activities Bill
1.
World Review
Fish as food for the world

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142 million tonnes in 2005
94 million tonnes – capture
fisheries
48 million tonnes –
aquaculture
Source: FAO
Marine fisheries - overall status
• Maximum capture potential has been reached
• More effective
management
needed
Source: FAO
OUTLOOK
Projections & developments: 2010 and beyond
• Total world production on target
• Marine capture fisheries steady (oscillates 80 – 90 million
tonnes)
• Inland fisheries landings increasing
• Aquaculture production growing (53 million tonnes in 2010;
74 million tonnes in 2015)
Source: FAO
Development of Aquaculture

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Worldwide practice
Floating cage culture of fish carried out in:
-Some Mediterranean
countries
-Japan
-France
-UK (Scotland)
-Ireland
-Canada
-USA
-Australia

Marine capture fisheries is stagnating

Annual increase in aquaculture production is 8%
-Hong Kong
-Philippines
-Norway
-Cyprus
-New Zealand
-Chile
-Other countries
2.
Aquaculture Master Plan

The study was commissioned by the Ministry of Finance
and ED. Consultant met all stakeholders.

Was discussed in depth at a workshop held on 12 -13
April 2007
3.
Recommendations of the Master Plan
•
The lagoon area of Mahébourg to be considered in the
first instance;
•
The projects of “Ferme Marine de Mahébourg Ltd” to be
replicated by other promoters in other identified areas;
•
Requests for projects in other sites identified off-lagoon
to be entertained;
•
Drafting of an appropriate legislation for the grant
of sea concession for aquaculture.
Potential sites for aquaculture
• 7 sites in lagoon
• 8 on the coast
• 6 off-lagoon
Opportunities for aquaculture development in
Mauritius
21 potential sites identified
Annual production estimates
 29,000 t in the medium term
 39, 000 t in the long term
Types of Culture/Systems
 Lagoon cage culture: 300/500 tonnes per
production unit
 Offshore lagoon cage culture: 2000 tonnes
per production unit
 Recirculation production facility
 Tuna ranching /fattening in cages
Investment
Projection for Mauritius
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Investment
– Rs. 5 billion
Direct employment
– 5,000
Production (medium – to long term)
– 29,000 to
39,000 t
No marketing problem foreseeable
4.
What is The Aquatic Business Activities Bill?

A legal framework to regulate the activities in or around
the sea, particularly:
•
•
•
5.
aquaculture,
setting up of marinas,
and pumping sea water for use on land (land based
oceanic industry)
Provisions
(a) Licences
o
o
o
Holder of a licence for an aquatic business activity
Issued by Minister subject to the payment of prescribed
fee and conditions
May be revoked or suspended
5. Provisions (Cont.)
(b) Leases
o
o
o
Minister may grant lease over a portion
of the coastal waters and adjacent land
Publication in the Gazette and 2 daily
newspapers
Lease not more than 30 years for welldemarcated areas of the sea and
payment of a rent
5. Provisions (Cont.)
 Advisory Committee
o To advise Minister on matters relating to aquatic business
activities
o
The representatives will comprise of:
•
•
•
•
Ministry
Ministry
Ministry
Ministry
of
of
of
of
Finance and Economic Development
Tourism, Leisure & External Communications
Health & Quality of Life
Environment & National Development Unit
Comments were invited from:
Board of Investment
Prime Minister’s Office
Ministry of Tourism, Leisure & External Communications
Ministry of Housing & Lands
Ministry of Local Government
Ministry of Environment & National Development Unit
Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Land Transport & Shipping
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
Ministry of Health & Quality of Life
Ministry of Public Utilities
Mauritius Ports Authority
Division of Veterinary Services
One-Stop-Shop (Seafood Hub)
Mauritius Export Association (MEXA)
Comments were invited from (cont.)
Fishermen’s Associations
Mauritius Oceanography Institute
Mauritius Research Council
Ferme Marine de Mahebourg Ltee
Livestock Feed Factory
Val Farms Ltd.
Ocean Fresh
ESPA Co. Ltd
SODIA Medine Sugar Estate
Food & Allied Industries
Compagnie de Beau Vallon Ltd (Riche en Eau Sugar Estate)
Mauritius Marine Conservation Society
The general public via Internet (http://fisheries.gov.mu)
+Other stakeholders
Comments received (to date)
Syndicat des Pecheurs
Livestock Feed Ltd
Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Land Transport & Shipping
Ministry of Local Government
Mauritius Ports Authority
Board of Investment
Police Department
Mauritius Research Council
Mauritius Oceanography Institute
Val Farms Ltd
Association des Hoteliers et Restaurateurs – Ile Maurice (AHRIM)
Ministry of Public Utilities
Mauritius Export Association
Ministry of Health and Quality of Life
The Financial Secretary
Ministry of Environment & National Development Unit
Food & Allied Industries Ltd. (FAIL)
Ministry of Tourism, Leisure & External Communication
Ministry of Housing & Lands
Mauritius Scuba Diving Association
Association of Campement Owners and Users (ACOU)
Mauritius Marine Conservation Society
6. Queries by the fishers’ community and our comments
a) Not in the interest of fishermen as there will be
conflicting use of resources

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Provisions made for public comments on applications
Fishermen given opportunity to express their opinions
b) The “domaine public” is not leasable according to
the Code Civil

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Right of Government to propose projects in part of any land
or sea for the benefit for the country.
The Bill has been drafted by Attorney General’s Office
Comments and suggestions being sought from different
stakeholders
The bill provides an orderly and sustainable development of
aquatic activities
c) The whole lagoon or any part thereof might
be leased
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Not all parts of the lagoon are suitable for aquatic
activities
Only twenty one potential sites have been
identified
For the development of 10 farms the occupancy
will be less than 0.7 % of the whole lagoon area;
sea cucumber ranching will only occupy the
bottom of the sea.
Not all projects will be carried out in the lagoon
d) Lack of study with regard to impact on fish resources

Studies carried out under the Aquaculture Master Plan prior to the
recommendations

Lagoon resources overexploited; aquaculture will increase productivity,
stabilise employment opportunities of fishermen and coastal communities
e) Exclusive rights to the Minister to lease parts of the
sea

Consultation with all parties concerned including public will be carried out

Project proposals will be published in the Government Gazette and two
daily newspapers

Advisory Committee could be strengthened to make final technical
recommendation
f) Aquaculture project is not affordable to fishers

Can take advantage of Empowerment Fund for the development of
projects

Fishermen Investment Trust can invest in projects or promote
joint ventures between fishermen and other operators
g) Acquired rights of fishermen are being reduced

Fishermen will still be able to fish in the lagoon and off-lagoon as
only very small parts of these areas will be used

Registered artisanal fishermen are being trained to fish off-lagoon
and around FAD’s set up by the Ministry

No new fisherman is being registered as lagoon fisherman.
h)

Opportunities for Professional fishermen
Fishermen have greater chances to be employed being
given their experience at sea
i) Aquaculture is a polluting activity

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Detailed environmental impact assessments will be carried
out for all projects
Activities will be carried out under strict environmental
guidelines to avoid pollution

The environmental and ecological parameters of
aquaculture activities are being monitored by the AFRC

Coastal Water Quality Guidelines have to strictly observed
7.
Case 1: Cyprus Island (Mediterranean) (Tourism as
main economic activity)
Only 296 km of coastline under the jurisdiction of Cyprus
Govt.
Presently:
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Three commercial hatcheries
Eight private commercial marine fish cage farms
Average annual production of 150 t each
Intensive farming in offshore marine cages located at 1-2 km
from the shore
18-35 metres water depths
Marine aquaculture production was valued at about USD 7.6
million
Represented about 25 % total fish production and more than 60%
of the high quality fresh fish in the local market.
8.
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Case 2: Norway
The Governing Regulations: The Aquaculture Act 1985, as
amended in 2003, is the main piece of legislation regulating
the management, control and development of fish farming
in fresh water, brackish water and marine water.
The act establishes a licensing system governing the setting
up and operation of fish farms.
• Aquaculture is now a major industry along the western
and northern coasts of Norway.
• More than 9 000 man-years are worked directly in the
sector and about the same number is estimated in
supporting activities.
• Production of aquaculture in 2005 was above 600 000
tonnes
9.
Case 3: New Zealand

Marine farming sector: USD 250 million/year

1,200 marine farms
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Legal framework governed by Marine Farming Act 1971
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Aquaculture Reform Act 2004 – provides for lease or
licences known as “coastal permits”
10.
Case 4: Malta ( tourism as main economic
activity)
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Aquaculture primarily marine-based
Culture species include seabreams, seabasse, fattening of
Atlantic bluefin tuna)
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Culture in floating cages
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Production: 4000 tonnes (in 2005)