FISH CONSUMPTION SURVEY SEMINAR

Half Day Seminar at Albion Fisheries Research Centre

The Fishermen Investment Trust (FIT) organised a half day seminar this Friday 28th of February 2014 at the Conference Room of the Albion Fisheries Research Centre (AFRC). In order to consolidate and review the work of the IOC FAO SmartFish Programme in collaboration with the FIT in Mauritius, the seminar was organised to:

• Present the key findings of the Fish Consumption Survey that was undertaken in December 2013 by the FIT in collaboration with the IOC FAO SmartFish Programme and the University of Mauritius
• Create a platform for fishermen and stakeholders present to discuss about the findings of the study and about any other related fisheries/ aquaculture issues

The seminar was attended by the following stakeholders:

• Mr. Satish Hanoomanjee - CEO of the FIT
• Mr. Gilbert Shu - Chairperson of the FIT
• Hon. Mr. C. Leopold - Parliamentary Private Secretary 
• Mr. D. Norungee - Assistant Director of Fisheries 
• Mr. Davide Signa - Key Expert Food Security; FAO SmartFish Project
• Mr. Ansen Ward - FAO Consultant; FAO SmartFish Project
• Mr. Banysing Unwar - Senior Statistician Statistics Mauritius
• Representatives of the Fishermen Communities in Mauritius
• Staff of Albion Fisheries Research Centre
• University students
• Local press

Official opening by Mr. S. Hanoomanjee, CEO of FIT

Following the official opening by Mr. Satish Hanoomanjee, Mr. Davide Signa addressed the audience and gave an overview of the IOC FAO SmartFish Project in Mauritius. He pointed out that the fish consumption survey carried out last year will surely serve as a reference tool for future interventions to promote fish consumption in Mauritius. The PPS, Hon. Leopold read the message of the Minister of Fisheries who could not turn up for the seminar on that day. He laid particular emphasis on the need to further increase fish consumption in Mauritius, owing to the vast unexplored Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Address by Davide Signa, Key Expert Food Security
FAO SmartFish Project

A video film on 'Supporting small- scale aquaculture in Mauritius' was presented. The video gave an overview of the cage culture project implemented in Mauritius at Poste de Flacq and at Quatre Soeurs and also provided an insight of how the cultured fish (Rabbit Fish; Common name: Cordonnier) under the current aquaculture project could be further processed into pre cooked fillets vacuum packed Cordonnier. (The video will be posted once available)

The seminar was followed by a presentation to outline the key findings if the Fish Consumption Survey. The study had of main aims to: 1. Estimate the current levels of fish consumption, 2. Obtain related information on supply, demand and availability of fish, and 3. Evaluate the way Mauritians prefer to eat fish. The key findings were presented by Mrs. Roshini Gopaul Brijmohun, Lecturer at the University of Mauritius and Zainal Kareemun. (The report will be posted once published)

Presentation of key findings of report by Zainal Kareemun (myself)
Assistant Project Officer FAO SmartFish Programme (Mauritius)

An open discussion shed light on several issues and suggestions by the fishermen and other stakeholders present about the fisheries/ aquaculture sector in Mauritius. Some fishermen suggested that there should be closure of some fishing sites just like in Rodrigues and fishermen must be encouraged to move from traditional to high tech fishing. But of course, they should inevitable be provided with the required financial and technical support. Mr. Davide Signa pointed out that the promotion of the consumption of freshwater fish by adding value to those types of fish. 

The seminar ended with a degustation of the Cordonnier fish. So much emphasis is being made on the culture of this fish, but the major task is to find/ create a market for that.