In November, dozens of traditional fishing boats were barred from leaving the port of Mamoudzou in Mayotte after maritime authorities declared them non-compliant with European Union safety and equipment standards.
The vessels, known locally as dhows or jahazis, are used by artisanal fishers for lagoon and coastal fishing around the Indian Ocean island, which has been an overseas department of France since 2011 and thus subject to EU regulations.
Officials from the Direction de la Mer, part of Mayotte’s prefecture, conducted inspections and found widespread deficiencies, including missing life jackets, inadequate fire extinguishers, expired distress flares, and non-functional navigation lights. According to a prefectural decree issued on November 8, 2024, the boats could not resume operations until brought into compliance.
Fishers say the cost of upgrades — estimated at between €1,500 and €3,000 per vessel — is prohibitive given declining catches and rising fuel prices. Many operate on thin margins, relying on daily sales at local markets to support extended families.
Representatives of the Mayotte Fishermen’s Union met with prefectural officials on November 15 to request a grace period and financial assistance. The union argued that sudden enforcement jeopardizes livelihoods without offering a transition pathway, particularly for older fishers who may not afford or manage the technical upgrades.
Prefectural authorities responded that compliance is mandatory under EU maritime safety directives, which France is obligated to enforce in its overseas territories. They noted that similar rules apply to all French-flagged vessels, regardless of size or purpose, and that exemptions would create unequal treatment under EU law.
As of early December, no financial aid package has been announced by the French government or the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund specifically for Mayotte’s small-scale fishing fleet. The prefecture has not scheduled further meetings with union representatives, and inspections continue at the port.
The boats remain moored at the quayside in Mamoudzou, their owners unable to fish, while officials maintain that safety standards cannot be compromised regardless of economic impact.
