Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed that there has never been any record on “by-catch fish” turnover generated from sales. However, I am informed that the turnover generated for period July 2024 to June 2025 for the removal of 18 Part 15 turn of “by-catch fish” fish from licensed foreign tuna long liners amounted to Rs140,200 in terms of commission for the Agricultural Marketing Board. Madam Speaker, I would like to highlight that prior to 08 August 2025, non-licenced foreign tuna longliners were not under any obligation to declare or sell the “by-catch fish” fish to the AMB. With regard to part (b) (i) of the question, I am informed by the Agricultural Marketing Board that buying agents are appointed in line with section 11(h) of the Mauritius

94 Agricultural Marketing Board Act 1963 under the conditions and responsibilities associated with the appointment, include of tension of all applicable permits and licences having the capacity to bear all operational costs associated with the removal of “by-catch fish”, purchasing, procuring, selling or otherwise disposing of “by-catch fish” on behalf of AMB and operating strictly within the commission structure approved by AMB. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (b) (ii) of the question, I am informed by the Agricultural Marketing Board, that the eligibility criteria for an entity to be appointed as buying agent by the AMB are as follows – 1. Holder of a valid Food Handler Certificate; 2. Fishmongers’ licence, and 3. An import permit for fish and fish products. It is worth noting that prior to finalising the eligibility criteria, the issue was discussed and approved by Cabinet. Moreover, a buying agent must also be financially sound and should have access to suitable storage facilities in line with regulation 4(2) of the Mauritius Agricultural Marketing (Controlled Products) Regulations 2025 and be fit and proper. With regards to part (b) (iii) of the question, I am informed by the AMB that currently there are two buying agents namely Ecotropik and Aquarius Company Ltd. Madam Speaker, the AMB received an application from Ecotropik Company Ltd on 15 May 2025 and for Aquarius Company Ltd on 18 August 2025. The appointment as buying agent was effected on 09 June 2025 and 03 September 2025 respectively. The application of the Mauritius Fishermen Cooperative Federation Ltd will be entertained favourably once its new executive has been appointed. Madam Speaker, I wish to point out that no tender exercise has ever been carried out for the appointment of any buying agent. However, in a spirit of transparency, accountability and good governance and contrary to previous practices, this government has now come up with criteria for the appointment of buying agents through the promulgation of Mauritius Agricultural Marketing (Controlled Products) Regulations 2025.

Madam Speaker, I understand that the former authorised agent, the Mauritius Fishermen Cooperative Federation Ltd which has been the authorised agent for 20 or 30 years, had in fact, in 2022, in part of a discussion at his Ministry – he was not yet there – and it was decided then that it would not be in the interest of the MCFC to remove them as

95 authorised agent as it would lead to loss of jobs. There are minutes for that and it would create a financial burden …

(Interruptions)

Every time, you are not asking questions.

Madam Speaker, I have listened to the Chief Whip earlier; you have said nothing.

I know! I am going to tell her as well.

So, may I be extended the same leniency?

Okay. For today, I am going to let you.

Thank you.

It is true that the Chief Whip did the same thing.

Yes! The question, therefore, is…

Come with your question!

The question, therefore, is what financial support, if any, or what arrangements will be made for the MFCF now that it has seen itself, after 30 years, deprived of exploitation of by-catch?

Dimann marsan pwason!

In fact, if the hon. Member has paid heed…

(Interruptions)

Chut!

…to what I have said, I have said the application of Mauritius Fishermen Cooperative Federation will be entertained favourably once its new executive has been appointed. I can tell you, in relation to what we are doing to bring onboard the federation, it will serve the interests of the federation and fishmonger co-operative society contrary to past practice when one person had monopoly over the sale of fish.

Madam Speaker, with regard to the...

Question! Question!

96

Yes, question. Figures are available. For 2019, the federation had registered a turnover of Rs6.6 million. For 2022, Rs4.7 million paid to them.

Question!

In commission for the sale. Therefore, there are figures. It is a lucrative business. An hon. Member: Kestion!

Now, that this has created a serious impediment to their revenues which, by the way, is used to be distributed amongst their members. They say a thousand fishermen benefits from these.

(Interruptions)

What is going to be made with regard to the fishermen who might now have been left…

In limbo.

Sur le banc de touche.

Madam Speaker, ...

…ti nome par MSM.

(Interruptions)

Chut!

Let me impress upon the Member that at long last, there is transparency and accountability. We expect the federation to be transparent, and it has been given the opportunity to be transparent, and it will be taken onboard. Contrary to the past practice when Mr Seetaram was member of the Agricultural Marketing Board! Member of the Agricultural Marketing Board! An hon. Member: Ala li la!

The Agricultural Marketing Board was the body issuing the permit. He was sitting on the board and he had total control over those who were entitled to remove fish from the non-licensing fishing vessel. Today, we are widening the circle and giving opportunity to one and all because we are bundling the non-licensed fishing vessels, which means that the quantum will be much

97 bigger. Therefore, the shares acquired will be to one and all. We have said priority is first to fishmonger co-operative society. They all have obligations to serve first and foremost the fishmonger cooperative society. We are waiting, and I have said it, once they have set up their executive, the federation will be taken onboard. We are going to entertain their application favourably.

Madam Speaker, please!

Question! Question!

Yes. The hon. Minister must be clear. There are now only two private companies acting as authorised agents. This is not transparency. Nonetheless, Madam Speaker, let me ask the hon. Minister if he is aware that prices of fish, since the new framework in August, has increased substantially because of increased commissioning being made now by those two authorised agents? Can he confirm whether the commission that is supposed to be set up at the level of the AMB for deciding on the prices of fish has been set up, and who sits on it?

The information being relayed by our friend is wrong! He has been fed with the wrong information.

Okay.

Let me impress upon him that the committee is doing its work in all transparency, and there is no reason to spread or to fuel rumours. Contrary to past practices when there was opacity in relation to activities being carried out by Mr Seetaram and his acolytes! An hon. Member: Lerla li pa ti trouv nanye!

Yes, hon. Babajee!

Yes, Madam Speaker. May I ask the hon. Minister, as he just said, in regards to Mr Seetaram… An hon. Member: Bassoo!

…where everyone was saying misie pwason of the MSM regime. Will he start an enquiry on the same person? Was there conflict of interest between the AMB and the by-catch? If there were irregularities, will actions be taken?

98

I thank the hon. Member. There was blatant conflict of interest! Aan inquiry will be conducted.

The question was: can you start an investigation?

Yes!

It is a new question. He asked for members of the commission.

(Interruptions)

The information will be circulated.

Yes, exactly. Easy! I have finished with hon. A. Duval. Hon. Baboolall, First Member for Montagne Blanche and Grand River South East! MEDINE, CAMP DE MASQUE – MULTIPURPOSE COMPLEX CONSTRUCTION