§ Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to help the Governments of Mauritius and the Seychelles, respectively, to exploit the rich tuna fishing banks of the Western Indian Ocean.
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§ Mrs. HartAn 85 ft. fisheries research vessel is under construction in Mauritius financed from the capital budget to conduct trials with long line for tuna and with all types of gear for white fish on the banks between Mauritius and Seychelles. It should be in commission next year. Since 1963 the Mauritius Government has had the services of a fisheries adviser under the technical assistance programme of the Canadian Government.
The Ministry of Overseas Development sent a fisheries expert to Seychelles towards the end of 1965 under the technical assistance programme to undertake a survey of the fishing industry. His report, which includes recommendations relating to tuna fishing, is being studied by the Seychelles Government. There has so far been no request from the Governments of either Mauritius or Seychelles for further assistance from Her Majesty's Government to develop tuna fishing.