Victoria, Seychelles – A group of children from both public and private primary schools in the Victoria region marched through town yesterday to show their support for the protection of tuna species, with the aim of ensuring sustainability so that they and future generations can continue to enjoy it.
The march was organised by the Seychelles Fisheries Authority in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy, as part of activities to commemorate World Tuna Day, celebrated on May 2.
Children from Bel Eau, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance and Independence schools, accompanied by their teachers and a group of children of SFA staff, dressed in colourful costumes and carried placards made from recycled materials symbolising tuna. They marched from the National Library to the Clock Tower, down Independence Avenue, past the Bicentennial Monument roundabout, and finished at the SFA car park at the fishing port, chanting and singing for the protection of tuna in the ocean.
Official support. Principal Minister and Minister for Fisheries, Agriculture and Blue Economy Wallace Cosgrow, Secretary of State for Fisheries and Blue Economy Alain De Comarmond, SFA Deputy CEO Aubrey Lesperance, board members and other officials joined the march to show their support.
“I came because tuna is really important for us. It’s good. I love eating tuna. We need to protect it. I want people to stop polluting our ocean so tuna can live well,” said Abriella Benoit from Mont Fleuri primary school.
“As our banners say, ‘The ocean is our life, protect our tuna’. We don’t fish the small ones. We fish those that are reasonable to consume, because if we catch the small ones, we won’t have tuna in our waters. At the same time, we are saying protect our ocean because tuna lives there and supports our economy. That’s the message we wanted to share today. The children were really enthusiastic to make their voices heard,” said teacher Claudia Don from Plaisance primary school.
Before the march, Minister Cosgrow highlighted the importance of protecting tuna and its benefits for the economy. He thanked the children for raising awareness, noting that the vibrant activities at Victoria port are largely thanks to tuna, which provides jobs and significant revenue for Seychelles, enabling other national programmes.
“Often, the importance of tuna for Seychelles is underestimated. Today, with this march and other activities during the week, we are raising awareness about tuna. I believe we can place more emphasis on this species and encourage Seychellois to appreciate its contribution,” Minister Cosgrow said.
After the march, children took part in leisure activities related to tuna organised at the SFA. Whether the event will translate into meaningful policy shifts around tuna stock management, illegal fishing enforcement or marine protection remains to be seen. For now, it was a march, a message, and a reminder that even children understand what adults sometimes prefer to ignore: that the ocean’s resources are finite, and protection requires more than slogans.
