Rodrigues: Don Rs 300,000 Fuel to Owners of the Fishing Fleet

In order to help owners of five boats to start their first engagement in the deep sea fishing with a highly reduced cost of operation, the government decided to give them a stamp of Rs 300,000 for the purchase of fuel . 

" We want these pioneers of deep-sea fishing enjoy maximum support to put all chances on their side , "said Nicolas Von Mally, Minister of Pêche et de Rodrigues. 

Thanks to a fund financial assistance that the International Fund for Agricultural Development has made ??available to the central government, the project to give the island its first fleet of fishing vessels is initiated. 

" 75% of the cost of a boat is a gift. Owners must reimburse only 25% of the actual ship. They have three-year moratorium before starting the first repayment. They will then have seven years to pay a debt that is between Rs 2.5 million to Rs 3 million. We procrastinated too in the past before starting such a project. It was high time that the island to make its entry on one floor in the deep sea fishing , "said the minister. 

" This project was implemented according to the principle of association as a cooperative. After its establishment, we have served requests from fishermen to launch a similar initiative , "said he.

The fishermen involved in this project will benefit fisheries specific training focused on fishing techniques high seas and management of this type of boat. 

These vessels are each 45 feet long and 15 feet wide. They are all equipped with the latest tools for remote communication ie radar, sonar, as well as a radio communication system according to the principles of the Global Positioning System (GPS). They each hold can hold four tons of seafood and have a range of 2,500 nautical miles. They can carry a crew of five individual fishermen.

The establishment of this fleet completes a series of initiatives aimed at giving the island a real area of deep sea fishing a necessary orientation because of a decline considerable fish catch in the lagoon. 

So far, nearly 300 fishermen have completed a training program and hold a document that certifies their ability to fish on the high seas Nearly twenty rafts are already operation around the island.