On Tuesday 26th September 2023, the International Affairs Committee led by the Chairperson Hon. Waven William met with a delegation from the Ministry of Transport and the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA) to discuss the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems (AFS) on Ships. Other members of the committee present were the Vice-Chairperson Hon. Wavel Woodcock, Hon. Egbert Aglae and Hon. Philip Monthy, with assistance by Committee Secretary Ms. Emma Didon and Assistant Committee Secretary Mr. Darel Atala. Also present was the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly Ms. Alexandria Faure. The delegation from the Transport Ministry was led by Principal Secretary Alan Renaud, accompanied by the Director of Policy and Strategy Mr. Bertrad Loze, Head of Legal Mr. Kenny Elisabeth, and Policy Analyst Ms. Nathanielle Soomery. The SMSA delegation comprised of the Chief Executive Officer Captain Daniel Adam, and Legal Officer Ms. Jessica Dogley.
The Convention is soon upcoming and as part of its oversight role, the IAC organised a sit-down session with the sponsors to review the instrument. PS Renaud and Captain Adam launched the meeting with a presentation on the Convention, detailing its purpose and scope including the Convention’s local implications. Harmful AFS is detrimental to the marine environment especially in the long term and SMSA plans to domesticate the provisions into Seychelles’ laws. As champion of the concept of Blue Economy development and environment protection, the authorities deemed this suitable for the country and local economy. The enquiries and discussions that took place were mostly focused on the local implications for local fishermen and boat owners especially, as they are the demographic most likely impacted by these changes.
The enquiries revealed some challenges for many boat owners, as Seychelles does not currently have the necessary dry dock infrastructures to facilitate and better manage the removal of harmful anti-fouling material and apply the new anti-fouling paints. SMSA revealed that the national implementation of the law would be a long-term process which would most likely begin with the building of a foundation that enables a better understanding of the purpose and processes involved with being compliant to the AFS. Registration of vessels, sensitisation and education, timeframe of the domestication and entrepreneurial opportunities were also addressed during the meeting.
Additionally, the IAC unanimously stressed on the need to implement a multi-stakeholder approach in sensitizing the public of the long-term consequences of not acting responsibly in safeguarding the health of our marine life. The meeting concluded with strong commitments exchanged between the parties, where PS Renaud reassured the committee of conveying the domestication action plan. The IAC affirmed its support for the Convention and SMSA as the implementing agency.
