Importation de Seychelles vers Maurice

28/11/2022 - Maurice

Issue 2 : Importation of Bourgeois Seychelles (Lutjanus sebae) We are importers of Bourgeois (Lutjanus sebae) from Seychelles since several years. We refer to Government Notice No. 73 of 2022, the Fisheries and Marine Resources (Toxic Fish) Amendment Regulations 2022 which states that the sale of bourgeois fish from Seychelles would now be extended to the general public; previously sale was strictly limited to hotels. However, in a letter sent to us via email on 30 June 2022, the Ministry of Fisheries listed new conditions that shall apply for the importation of Bourgeois from Seychelles: a) the fish shall be gilled, gutted and scaled; b) lot number of the fish caught should be clearly mentioned c) the fish shall be headed, if less than 5 kgs and headless if more than 5 kgs; d) the frozen and chilled fish shall be packed and labelled appropriately to indicate, amongst others- i. scientific name of the product ii. origin of the fish; iii. date of fishing and packaging iv. weight of the fish; and v. the percentage of glazing shall be indicated on the label and should not exceed 5 percent of the weight of the fish. e) The fish shall be packed in Seychelles for retail sales in Mauritius Our concerns are as follows: 1. Under Section (a), it is stated that the fish shall be gilled, gutted and scaled. This is a very major concern. In view of its huge negative impact on quality, freshness and shelf-life, sanitary risk, impossibility to display chilled Bourgeois on buffet and impossibility to prepare Poisson Gros Sel [a seafood delicacy], we have accordingly informed our main clients who are high rated hotels and they normally require chilled Bourgeois and/or fish and at times, we have to show them the fish freshness prior to preparation. It is a known fact that when fresh fish is scaled, its shelf life is reduced, and this can be an issue for the client. Scaling a fresh fish will lead the product to become more perishable. 2. Under Section (e), wherein it is stated that the fish shall be packed in Seychelles for retail sales in Mauritius. We understand that the scaled fish has to be packed in plastic bags, which are a petroleum product and may be harmful to the fish; toxic for consumers’ health. Fresh/chilled fish carry fresh blood and if packed in plastic bags, the fish will lose its freshness, color and will impact on its shelf-life. Fresh/chilled fish are stored in trays/polystyrene boxes containing layers of flaked ice. High end hotels have responded to the ministry’s decision to allow import of scaled Bourgeois fish from Seychelles and they suggest that importation of scaled chilled Bourgeois fish Seychelles be discontinued and that the interest of public health, the Hospitality Industry and visitors should prevail. 3. Under section d (v), it is to be noted that glazing is not applicable to fresh/chilled Bourgeois imported from Seychelles by air cargo. In light of the above concerns, we would request the Ministry to discontinue with the policy of importation of gilled, gutted and scaled fresh/chilled Bourgeois fish. Given the peak season of tourist arrival, this will impact on supplying high quality fish. It should be noted that we are importers of fish and fish products since several years and has always abide by the law. These new conditions will act as a serious barrier to trade with regard to the importation of fresh/chilled Bourgeois fish from Seychelles.

Non

• Il y a un règlement ou une procédure obligatoire dont les exigences sont trop rigoureuses ou auxquels il est difficile de se conformer

Un règlement national

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS FOR IMPORT OF BOURGEOIS FROM SEYCHELLES

• Produits frais et produits agro-alimentaires bruts

IMPORT OF CHILL BOURGEOIS FISH FROM SEYCHELLES

TO DISCONTINUE WITH NEW CONDITIONS- (a),d(v),(e)