Caught on camera! Giant blue marlin breaks free from hook, but brings Seychelles closer to joining World Grander Club

The battle of more than five hours between huge blue marlin and captain Ken Adcock and his crew was recorded off the south east coast of Mahe, the most populated island of the archipelago. (SSFC) (Photo License: CC-BY)

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(Seychelles News Agency) - A blue marlin thought to be a Grander, a fish weighing more than one thousand pounds or about 454 kilograms, was nearly caught in Seychelles waters on Christmas Eve.

The Seychelles Sports Fishing Club shared evidence of the Grander this week in a video of a blue marlin majestically jumping above the sea struggling to dangle free of an 80lb fishing rod with three men, scarcely able to contain their joy, laboriously trying to haul the giant fish in.

Posted on the Seychelles Sports Fishing Club YouTube page and on its Facebook page, the video has created a buzz amongst big game fishing enthusiasts of the Indian Ocean islands and across the world, estimating that the fish could have weighed more than one thousand pounds.

Speaking to SNA, the secretary of the SSFC, Grant Heyer, says ‘it is very likely this fish was in the 1000lb category based on review of the video footage and how high it jumped above water…’

Unfortunately, after more than five hours of battling the monster was able to break free from the reigns of Ken Adcock and his crew, and swim free off the south east coast of Mahe, the most populated island of the archipelago.

Seychelles Sports Fishing Club - Seychelles First Grander sighted (SSFC ) All Rights Reserved

Had they been lucky to pull the fish onboard, the catch would have very likely placed the Indian Ocean Island in the World Grander Club that recognizes efforts of crews around the world in catching one of the largest catches in big game fishing ; such as a marlin over one thousand pounds in weight. 

Already blue marlins weighing more than one thousand pounds have been recorded on the website from countries such as Australia, Hawaii, Kenya, amongst others. 

“Multiple boats in Seychelles have had many fish like this hooked up before,” says Heyer, “But this is the first time we’ve had seen a fish this size..…[they are being caught] all around us including in Mauritius. We know they are here, but it’s just that this is the first time we have been able to see one up-close and caught it on camera.”

Amongst many comments on the club’s Facebook page, is that fish of that size have been caught before in the Seychelles archipelago but never recorded and the club is urging fishermen and fishing enthusiasts to ‘ bring [the fish] in…weigh it and then it is physically confirmed.’

However debatable the size is, the close-call of the blue marlin has been registered in the world wide group of blue marlin weighing 500lbs and more on the website of the World Grander Club. 

This is Seychelles 2nd entry into this notable club in the month of December alone, with a 550lb black marlin caught by Francois Jackson of Tango 2 at the beginning of the month and weighed in the capital of Victoria.

“Catching this size of blue marlin is exciting because SSFC will be encouraging teams to enter the Blue Marlin World Cup which is a worldwide event held on July 4, 2015 requiring a catch of a blue marlin over 500lbs to qualify a team to be declared the worldwide champion,” Heyer added. 

The World Cup has already been won in ten blue marlin hot spots including Bermuda, Cape Verde Islands, Azores, North Carolina's Outer Banks, Madeira, Costa Rica, Texas, Bahamas and St. Thomas in the Atlantic. In the Pacific, only Kona, Hawaii has produced World Cup winners.

- See more at: http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/2066/Caught+on+camera+Giant+blue+marlin+breaks+free+from+hook%2C+but+brings+Seychelles+closer+to+joining+World+Grander+Club#sthash.njsnA9dW.dpuf

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Anti-piracy fight gains momentum as Japan and Seychelles sign exchange agreement

Victoria, Seychelles | December 19, 2014, Friday @ 08:22 in National » DIPLOMACY | By: John Lablache and Wanjohi Kabukuru | Views: 722

Seychelles police arrest 5 suspected pirates transferred by the French Naval ship Siroco on January 30, 2014 (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles Nation) 

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(Seychelles News Agency) - A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Japan and Seychelles covering the conditions of transfer of suspected pirates and seized property, was signed on Thursday in Indian Ocean island nation’s Port of Victoria.

The agreement was signed on board "Takanami" one of two Japanese naval ship docked in Port Victoria.

Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands with a population of some 90,000 people has placed itself at the forefront of the fight against piracy.

The MoU with Japan is the 13th such bilateral agreement on the conditions of transfer of suspected pirates that Seychelles has signed having previously done so with countries like France, Britain, Denmark, amongst others.

The latest agreement covers issues such as pirates capture by the Japanese Navy, trial, possible conviction and repatriation to Somalia. 

Japanese Ambassador to Seychelles Tatsushi Terada (left) and Seychelles' Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Joel Morgan signed the MoU. (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

The Japanese Ambassador to Seychelles Tatsushi Terada said after the signing that piracy off the coast of Somalia posed a clear and present threat to the maritime shipping routes linking Asia, Africa and Europe.

"It goes without saying that the safety of navigation is vital for the prosperity of the international community as a whole, an in particular, island states which depend heavily on maritime trade,” said Terada.

“Therefore, it is natural for Japan and Seychelles to operate in their efforts to tackle piracy.”

The Seychelles Minister for Home Affairs and Transport, Joel Morgan said the MoU was “another step in the joint efforts of both countries in their fight against piracy."

He noted that Seychelles' economy is heavily dependent on the maritime sector as fisheries, trade and tourism are its key pillars.

"Peace in the western Indian Ocean, which is an important sea route is vital for world trade," said Morgan.

He also noted that the MoU which builds on Japan’s new legislation which allows greater collaboration between the two island nations on human trafficking, international crimes and drug smuggling alongside piracy.

Recently Japan’s parliament enacted legislation that allowed the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) vessels to protect any ship from pirates regardless of its flag and criminalised piracy.

According to Terada, two JMSDF destroyers based in Djibouti in the horn of Africa region off the Gulf of Aden have been engaged in escort operations, protecting more than 3,600ships in 600 escort missions since 2009. Each destroyer has a crew of 200 and 20 officers.  Complementing these destroyers are two maritime patrol aircraft’s based in Djibouti which have so far have clocked more than 1,200 mission flights.

The two Japanese destroyers "Takanami" and "Ohmani" docked in the Seychelles Port of Victoria on Thursday.   (Patrick Joubert, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

Since 2009 Seychelles has been in the forefront combating piracy and has deployed the Seychelles Defence Forces (SPDF), coastguards, police, prison department and the judiciary to contain crime at sea.

Working in collaboration with international partners to apprehend and prosecute suspected Somali pirates has seen the island nation prosecute the largest number of Somali pirates between 2009 to 2013.

Seychelles Prisons Superintendent Maxime Tirant, who witnessed the signing, told SNA that the number of convicted Somali pirates at the main prison of Montagne Posee, now stands at 38 from a record peak of 120 in 2012.

16 are still on remand awaiting trial while the remaining number have already been sentenced and are awaiting transfer to either the Garowe (Puntland) and Hargeysa (Somaliland) prisons, two detention facilities built by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), as part of its Piracy Prisoner Transfer Programme.either of the two prisons in Puntland and Somaliland.

Piracy off the Somalia coast and the Gulf of Aden rose to an all-time high in 2009 when 117 ships were attacked. In 2010 there were 53 ship attacks and piracy incidents have continued to dwindle due to increased naval patrols and deterrence by ships'  employing  self-protection measures.

Piracy has contributed to a rise in shipping costs and shipping insurance premiums as well as impeding the delivery of food aid shipments which has in turn increased the general cost of living in the region.

Diplomacy- See more at: http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/2007/Anti-piracy+fight+gains+momentum+as+Japan+and+Seychelles+sign+exchange+agreement#sthash.axuwtgAS.dpuf

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President Michel congratulates Sir Anerood Jugnauth on election victory

President Michel congratulates Sir Anerood Jugnauth on election victory

Fri, 12 December 2014

Following the victory of the Alliance Lepep, led by Sir Anerood Jugnauth, in the general election, President James Michel has extended his congratulations to the newly-elected Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius on behalf of the Government and the people of Seychelles.

In President Michel’s congratulatory message he affirmed that the Mauritian people had placed their trust in newly elected Prime Minister Jugnauth’s vision.

“Your election is one which symbolises the further strengthening of the Mauritian institutions and provides greater prosperity for your people whilst ensuring that Mauritius maintains its position as a beacon of freedom, stability and success in the region,” said the President.

In the same vein, President Michel emphasized that Sir Anerood will play a pivotal role in maintaining the historic and singular ties shared between Mauritius and Seychelles which are based on shared values and aspirations for a more integrated, peaceful and dynamic Indian Ocean.

President Michel noted that “the strategic partnership which our two countries share continues to provide a solid platform to unlock the potential that the Indian Ocean carries especially in terms of our marine resources while also addressing the unprecedented challenges of a globalised world.”

President Michel stressed that both Seychelles and Mauritius have shared destinies and he expressed his desire that the two nations forge ahead in their common aspirations to make the Mauritius-Seychelles partnership one that is exemplary.

President Michel also thanked former Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam for the excellent relations he helped foster throughout his tenure as Prime Minister, between the two island nations, and also the personal friendship that they share, which have contributed to the development of the ties between the two countries, serving as an example of South-South and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) cooperation to the rest of the world.

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22 year old Indian man killed by shards of broken glass, says Seychelles police

Providence, Seychelles | December 4, 2014, Thursday @ 16:37 in National » GENERAL | By: Sharon Uranie | Views: 1127

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(Seychelles News Agency) - A spokesperson from the Seychelles police has confirmed that 22 year old Indian national Ravin Ramji Hirani, who worked for the Shreeji Construction Company, died this morning after sustaining injuries while unloading a container of glass window panes.

In a telephone interview this morning, the police spokesperson Jean Toussaint told SNA that according to reports the deceased along with other colleagues "were unloading the window panes from the back of the container to the company’s warehouse and during the process some of the glass shattered and they were injured."

The incident occurred at the company’s premises at Providence, an industrial zone on the outskirts of the Seychelles capital of Victoria.

Hirani was killed by shards of the broken glass while three of his colleagues were injured.

The incident was reported to the police and other emergency services at around 9 am local time.

In a press statement issued this afternoon the police say the incident was initially reported to the emergency services as an explosion.

"Taking to the scene it was however established that there was no explosion," reads the statement.

It was soon established that the loud noise had been caused by large panes of glass which had been dropped. The glass panes were being removed from a container to be placed in a warehouse. 

According to the statement, two of the three migrant workers who had been transported to the Seychelles Hospital and treated for injuries were later released. A third worker has been admitted to a hospital ward but his condition has been described as stable. 

An investigation is being conducted to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.

- See more at: http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/1893/+year+old+Indian+man+killed+by+shards+of+broken+glass%2C+says+Seychelles+police#sthash.2LlRpTsq.dpuf

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The world’s new economic frontier is the oceans

The world’s new economic frontier is the oceans

10.12.2014

President James Michel opened the National Stakeholder Consultation Forum on the Blue Economy at the International Conference Centre this morning,  saying the Blue Economy is not just a space for the creation of socio-economic opportunities but also a powerful means to further foster the nation’s unity, in all of its diversity, through its spin-offs, its activities and benefits.

“The world’s new economic frontier is the oceans….This dialogue on the Blue Economy is not just for one generation. It concerns us all. It concerns our parents and grandparents. It concerns our children. The sea has always been a source of livelihood for the Seychellois. The Blue Economy, we are all convinced, can increase substantially the opportunities from it. The Blue Economy we are aiming for is about participation, the creation of new opportunities and social justice. Every Seychellois has a stake in it,” said the President in his keynote address.

The President called for a more integrated fishing industry where the value chain is reinforced and where shore-based activities are developed with local participation.  He welcomed the SAPMER development for the construction of a fishing quay, as an example of public-private partnership that also creates opportunities for local companies.

“It is important that nothing is wasted from the sea, that the by-catch is fully utilised, that value addition is increased and that more Seychellois work on industrial tuna vessels.  The industry must be fully integrated to enable more sharing of the wealth by both local and foreign investors,” he added.

President Michel said that the country’s first priority must be sustainability as the management of maritime safety spaces is so important, with Seychelles planning various initiatives to create new marine-protected areas and also to better manage stocks at the same time.

The President said that further investment is needed in the Blue Economy and called on Seychellois banks to play their part to make affordable credit readily available to Seychelles’ Blue Economy entrepreneurs.He noted that the Government has already invested heavily in creating new opportunities in fisheries and the related maritime sector activities.

“We have created a new fishing port in Providence and, in so doing, we have offered opportunities for Seychellois fishermen to add value to their catch. We are now finalising a new phase for the development of Providence. We have also built a new fishing port on Ile du Port.We have created new opportunities for the involvement of Seychellois companies in semi-industrial and industrial fishing.We have strengthened the Maritime Training Centre through a partnership with Sri Lanka for the training of young people in this field."

Mr. Michel acknowledged that the Blue Economy also has many challenges ahead, such as the concerns about diminishing fish stocks, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) and piracy, which has been contained but still remains a menace on the high seas.He added that Seychellois exporters of swordfish face unfair barriers to the European market because of unjust phytosanitary regulations, which is one of the many challenges that the National Stakeholders Consultation Forum needs to address.

President Michel also paid tribute to the Seychellois fishermen who joined together in associations and brought better services to their respective communities, as well as the investments of their enterprises as well as the owners of fishing vessels who, in spite of numerous challenges, have not hesitated to create a Seychelles fishing fleet, based on quality and sustainable fishing.

“I also pay tribute to the Seychellois entrepreneur who, in spite of the difficulties in raising funds for their project, perseveres, knowing that our future depends on our ability to maximise the potential of our resources from the ocean in order to bring more benefits for us all.”

The two-day conference will encourage pragmatic approaches, identify possible conflicts and propose resolutions by promoting dialogue between the various stakeholders in key thematic fields pertaining to the Blue Economy. Those are primarily in: fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, sustainable marine resource exploitation and marine spatial planning, as to find common ground and tangible ways in which the Blue Economy can benefit Seychelles.

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Government of Seychelles mourns passing of Honorary Consul General in Hamburg, Mr Hans-Joachim Worms

Government of Seychelles mourns passing of Honorary Consul General in Hamburg, Mr Hans-Joachim Worms

10.12.2014

It is with profound sadness that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has learnt of the passing of long-time Honorary Consul General  and friend of Seychelles in Hamburg, Germany, Mr. Hans-Joachim Worms. Mr. Worms was first appointed to the post on 31^st January 1984.

He is one of the longest serving honorary Consuls of Seychelles who has selflessly contributed and upheld the diplomatic image of Seychelles and was instrumental in ensuring the good rapport shared between Seychelles and the Federal Republic of Germany. The devotion and sense of duty that Mr. Worms held towards the people of Seychelles will be sorely missed. The Government of Seychelles extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and those closest to him.

The Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Maurice Loustau-Lalanne noted ‘Seychelles has lost a dear friend and a colleague that has throughout the years been a champion and worked tirelessly for Seychelles. Mr Worms’ contribution to the diplomatic landscape of Seychelles has been an invaluable asset.

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New Philippines ambassador accredited to Seychelles aiming to further develop cooperation in tourism, fisheries and climate change

Victoria, Seychelles | December 9, 2014, Tuesday @ 20:50 in National » DIPLOMACY | By: Sharon Meriton-Jean and Sharon Uranie | Views: 313

The newly accredited ambassador of the Philippines to Seychelles, Bayani V. Mangibin. (Mervyn Marie, Seychelles News Agency)  

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(Seychelles News Agency) - Tourism including medical tourism, fisheries, the blue economy concept and climate change are some of the areas of cooperation which the newly accredited ambassador of Philippines to Seychelles Bayani  V. Mangibin says can be further developed between the two countries.

Mangibin said this in an interview with the local press at State House this morning after he had presented his credentials to the Seychelles President James Michel.

He told journalists that these are some of the sectors of mutual interest to the two countries which was largely discussed during his meeting Michel which he said was also an opportunity to follow up on cooperation that was already discussed at the first Seychelles-Philippines joint committee meeting.

This was held in the Indian Ocean archipelago’s capital of Victoria in October last year.

“This is our agenda for strategic partnership and because the similarity of our geography, we have a very close interest in tourism and fisheries…… We are also looking at ways on how to promote our industrial cooperation between small and medium enterprises, because that’s one area in the Philippines that has helped us in our development…….so we would like to share our experiences in such a way that both of us can really develop a greener economy,” said Mangibin.

Ambassador Bayani  V. Mangibin after he had presented his credentials to President James Michel, at State House.  (Mervyn Marie, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

On the issue of climate change the newly accredited ambassador said his discussions with Michel centred on how the two countries can cooperate to “alleviate the adverse effects of the negative development of climate change.”

In a press statement issued this afternoon, State House said Michel also took the opportunity to extend his sympathy to the government and people of Philippines following the destruction caused by the recent natural disaster that affected the country.

Typhoon Hagupit that hit the asian nation over the weekend was accompanied by strong winds and heavy rains. According to AFP tens of thousands of people especially those living close to the coast have been affected and at least 27 people have been confirmed dead so far.

The Seychelles president has expressed hope that “those affected would be able to recover and rebuild their lives.”

Bayani  V. Mangibin who is the sixth ambassador of Philippines to be accredited to Seychelles is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

- See more at: http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/articles/1930#sthash.eNsfhut2.dpuf

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The world’s new economic frontier is the oceans

The world’s new economic frontier is the oceans

Tue, 09 December 2014

President James Michel opened the National Stakeholder Consultation Forum on the Blue Economy at the International Conference Centre this morning,  saying the Blue Economy is not just a space for the creation of socio-economic opportunities but also a powerful means to further foster the nation’s unity, in all of its diversity, through its spin-offs, its activities and benefits.

“The world’s new economic frontier is the oceans….This dialogue on the Blue Economy is not just for one generation. It concerns us all. It concerns our parents and grandparents. It concerns our children. The sea has always been a source of livelihood for the Seychellois. The Blue Economy, we are all convinced, can increase substantially the opportunities from it. The Blue Economy we are aiming for is about participation, the creation of new opportunities and social justice. Every Seychellois has a stake in it,” said the President in his keynote address.

The President called for a more integrated fishing industry where the value chain is reinforced and where shore-based activities are developed with local participation.  He welcomed the SAPMER development for the construction of a fishing quay, as an example of public-private partnership that also creates opportunities for local companies.

“It is important that nothing is wasted from the sea, that the by-catch is fully utilised, that value addition is increased and that more Seychellois work on industrial tuna vessels.  The industry must be fully integrated to enable more sharing of the wealth by both local and foreign investors,” he added.

President Michel said that the country’s first priority must be sustainability as the management of maritime safety spaces is so important, with Seychelles planning various initiatives to create new marine-protected areas and also to better manage stocks at the same time.

The President said that further investment is needed in the Blue Economy and called on Seychellois banks to play their part to make affordable credit readily available to Seychelles’ Blue Economy entrepreneurs.He noted that the Government has already invested heavily in creating new opportunities in fisheries and the related maritime sector activities.

“We have created a new fishing port in Providence and, in so doing, we have offered opportunities for Seychellois fishermen to add value to their catch. We are now finalising a new phase for the development of Providence. We have also built a new fishing port on Ile du Port.We have created new opportunities for the involvement of Seychellois companies in semi-industrial and industrial fishing.We have strengthened the Maritime Training Centre through a partnership with Sri Lanka for the training of young people in this field."

Mr. Michel acknowledged that the Blue Economy also has many challenges ahead, such as the concerns about diminishing fish stocks, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) and piracy, which has been contained but still remains a menace on the high seas.He added that Seychellois exporters of swordfish face unfair barriers to the European market because of unjust phytosanitary regulations, which is one of the many challenges that the National Stakeholders Consultation Forum needs to address.

President Michel also paid tribute to the Seychellois fishermen who joined together in associations and brought better services to their respective communities, as well as the investments of their enterprises as well as the owners of fishing vessels who, in spite of numerous challenges, have not hesitated to create a Seychelles fishing fleet, based on quality and sustainable fishing.

“I also pay tribute to the Seychellois entrepreneur who, in spite of the difficulties in raising funds for their project, perseveres, knowing that our future depends on our ability to maximise the potential of our resources from the ocean in order to bring more benefits for us all.”

The two-day conference will encourage pragmatic approaches, identify possible conflicts and propose resolutions by promoting dialogue between the various stakeholders in key thematic fields pertaining to the Blue Economy. Those are primarily in: fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, sustainable marine resource exploitation and marine spatial planning, as to find common ground and tangible ways in which the Blue Economy can benefit Seychelles.

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Climate change at the centre of discussions between Seychelles and Philippines as new Ambassador is accredited

Climate change at the centre of discussions between Seychelles and Philippines as new Ambassador is accredited

Tue, 09 December 2014

The sixth Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines to Seychelles, Mr. Bayani  V. Mangibin presented his credentials to President James Michel at State House this morning.

The President congratulated and wished Ambassador every success during his new tenure. He took the opportunity to extend his sympathy to the government and people of the Philippines following the devastation caused by  Typhoon Hagupit this week and hoped that those affected would be able to recover and rebuild their lives soon.

After the accreditation ceremony Ambassador Mangibin told the national media that his discussion with the President centred on cooperation that will further develop the different sectors which are of mutual interest to both countries such as the Blue Economy concept, climate change, tourism, fisheries, and medical tourism.

“We followed up on cooperation that was already discussed at the first Seychelles-Philippines Joint Committee meeting that was held here in Victoria last October 2013. This is our agenda for strategic partnership and because the similarity of our geography, we have a very close interest in tourism and fisheries. We have also discussed cooperation in the area of climate change, as we are hoping that we can alleviate the adverse effects of the negative development of climate change. We are also looking at ways on how to promote our industrial cooperation between small and medium enterprises, because that’s one area in the Philippines that has helped us in our development… so we would like to share our experiences in such a way that both of us can really develop a greener economy,” said Mr. Mangibin.

Also present during the meeting were the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Loustau Lalanne and the President's Diplomatic Adviser, Ambassador Callixte D'Offay.

Ambassador Bayani Mangibin is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

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