Lifting of ban on storage of bunker fuel in fish holds

The storage of bunker fuel in fish holds on board foreign licensed and non-licensed fishing vessels (longliners) calling at Port Louis will be permitted following Government's decision to lift the existing ban.

As a consequence of the prohibition on the storage of bunker fuel in fish holds, several foreign fishing vessels have shifted their operations from Port Louis to competing regional ports where such storage is possible. This has led to a substantial reduction in the number of applications and fishing licences issued by the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries.

To manage potential associated risks, foreign fishing vessels calling at Port Louis will have to strictly comply with the following enhanced controls:

The vessel should hold valid statutory seaworthiness and safety certificates issued by its flag State. Documents from licensed foreign fishing vessels will be verified by the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries; Prior to the issuance of a fishing licence, the vessel should undergo inspection by officers of the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries for the verification of its compliance with applicable safety and sanitary requirements;The vessel should have a valid Protection and Indemnity Insurance with a minimum cover of USD5 million, including a sub-limit of not less than USD2 million covering wreck removal, oil pollution and fire liabilities;The vessel should comply with all applicable national legislation and international Conventions relating to marine pollution prevention, maritime safety and fisheries management; andThe fish holds would have to be emptied and thoroughly cleaned prior to storage of fish.

Any vessel operator found to have breached the above conditions or to have caused pollution through negligence will have its fishing licence cancelled and will be denied future access to Mauritius fisheries and the port.

A Memorandum of Understanding is proposed to be signed by the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Mauritius Ports Authority to ensure enforcement.

09 September 2026

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Topics: Cabinet Decisions, Maritime

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