Seychellois aquaculture technicians undergoing training at Limassol fish farm

Limassol’s Kimagro Fishfarming location, associated with Levantina Fish, is until the end of May hosting 12 Seychellois for specialised training in the sector.

The six aquaculture technicians from the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) and six private sector candidates began their training in February.

The head of the aquaculture department of the SFA, Aubrey Lesperance, recently told Seychelles News Agency that the training aims to help create an aquaculture labour force that is driven by Seychellois, reducing foreign labour in the sector.

“To be more profitable, Seychelles would need to adopt a mid-road scenario which aspires to create an aquaculture industry that can generate 60,000 tonnes per year with an estimated value of $400 million by 2040. The HCDP [Human Capital Development Plan] reports indicate that in order to achieve such numbers, the industry will have to have over 1,800 direct staff. These will be at various levels, with varying qualifications,” Lesperance told the news agency.

Kimargo farm has over 40 cages spread in two different locations, producing mainly European seabass and seabream.

According to the Seychelles News Agency report, Kimagro is providing the training to SFA free of charge, while other associated costs are being catered for by the authority through the SWIOFish3 programme, a long-term regional programme of the World Bank for sustainable marine fisheries.

Lesperance said that Seychelles and Cyprus form part of the same Commonwealth Blue Charter group called Sustainable Aquaculture Action Group. Cyprus chairs the committee and hosted members at the beginning of 2020 for the Action Group's first meeting.

Levantina Fish produces multi awarded seabass and seabream among other varieties for the local and overseas market.