The results of a census of fishing boats on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue are presented. In total 437 boats were counted of which 278 were outboards with engine, 48 were open whaler, 35 were pirogues, 25 were lekonomi, 22 were schooners, 11 were semi-industrial so were lavenir, 12 were 'others', 8 were whaler with deck, 4 were nouvo lavenir and 3 were wooden boats without engines. The details are discussed to understand the characteristics of the artisanal fishing boats. An analysis of the historical data follows. The number of pirogues and schooners decreased from 1985 to 1995, whilst the numbers of whalers have increased. Outboards on the other hand had remained relatively stable. The changes in the number of boats are a result of interaction between the available near shore and offshore fishery resource and the development of commercial opportunities, social and economic constrains and the effects of the fisheries policies. Published