Thank you very much, hon. Member. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to the first part of the question, the total revenue obtained by the government in respect of the tuna fishing industry for the period 2019-2024 amounts to Rs537,516,875. The revenue derived is from payment of the following – • Licence fees of Rs382 million by 780 registered fishing vessels, and • Tonnage fee of Rs156 million by foreign-owned Mauritian flag fishing vessels exporting tuna and tuna-like fish species. I am informed that the 780 licences were issued to the following categories of fishing vessels – (i) 294 licences to fishing vessels under the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the European Union; (ii) 105 licences to fishing vessels under the Mauritius-Seychelles Reciprocal Fishing Agreement; (iii) 311 licences to fishing vessels not under any fishing agreement, and (iv) 70 licences to Mauritians semi-industrial fishing vessels. The tonnage fee was paid by foreign-owned Mauritian flag vessels operating in industrial tuna fishery, exporting tuna and tuna-like fish species. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am tabling detailed information on the 780 fishing licences issued to fishing vessels and revenue derived therefrom as well as the applicable tonnage fee for the period 2019-2024.

58 Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to the second part of the question, the form in which the revenue was obtained in respect of the tuna fishing industry is mostly through bank transfer.

The hon. First Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue! MINOR B.C.G.A.L. – INVALID BASIC PENSION – DISCONTINUATION CAUSE