Marine Conservation in the Seychelles

Tropical shallow water marine environments are under increasing pressure from human activity around the globe. In recent years evidence of coral reef degradation, mangrove deforestation and overfishing has fueled concern throughout the many communities associated with these habitats. From artisanal fishermen with dwindling catches to whole nations with reef related economies. In response to these concerns a variety of initiatives have emerged with an aim to conserve, sustainably utilise, monitor, catalogue and quantify marine biodiversity.

The Republic of Seychelles

The Seychelles consists of 41 granitic (pre-Cambrian) and 74 coralline islands rising from the Seychelles Bank, a shallow water area of some 31,000 km2. This bank is believed to have formed as a separation from the Indian plate. Today, as a nation, the Seychelles has a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to land ratio. The total land area of 455 km2 is scattered within a 1, 374 000 km2. The islands are divided into two main groups, the outer and the inner islands. The Inner Seychelles are principally granitic and are home to 97% of the total population of approximately 75,000. Mahe is the largest island and the location of the capital Victoria and the Government.

Look here for a map of Mahe adapted from REEFBASE showing coral reefs.

Protected natural areas constitute a total land area of 19, 760 km2, i.e. 43% of Seychelles land, as well as approximately 27,000 ha of marine areas including coral reefs. Currently the Seychelles has 5 officially declared Marine National Parks, 2 Special Reserves which include marine habitats, 4 shell reserves and several other marine protected areas. Although some of these areas have been designated for nearly 30 years, not all areas are actively managed and for some areas very little is known about the marine habitats. A recent paper by Nirmal Jivan Shah, a Seychellois biologist, gives a good overview of the state of conservation in the Seychelles (Managing Coastal Areas in the Seychelles, Natural Resources 31 (4), UNESCO, 1995).

Recently the Seychellois government have rekindled plans for achieving sustainable development with the comprehensive Environmental Management Plan of the Seychelles (EMPS) 1990-2000(downloadable sections Word v.6). Projects include programmes for Coastal and Marine Environmental Baseline Studies, Marine Resources Management Plans and Improve the National Parks. Collaboration with various international organisations have promoted the exchange of information and have often included the training of Seychelles nationals.

The Seychelles Marine Conservation Expedition

In 1995, a pilot study took place to respond to some of the recommendations outlined in the EMPS, 1990-2000. This study was based on objectives and specific targets agreed with the Seychelles Division of the Environment. The location for the first Seychelles Marine Conservation Expedition was Baie Ternay Marine National Park with additional work undertaken in the nearby popular tourist destination of Baie Beau Vallon. A small team of experienced and dedicated volunteers were assembled to undertake the work as part of the Western Indian Ocean Programme of the Tropical Marine Research Unit at the University of York. The team was led by Les Holliday FRGS and assisted by John Feetenby, an experienced marine surveyor and specialist in management training. The scientific programme was directed and implemented by Simon Pittman, a recent postgraduate and experienced marine biologist. Additional assistance was offered by the Seychelles Fishing Authority, the DOE, the Seychelles Underwater Centre at Beau Vallon and the Commission of the Indian Ocean.

Our main objectives were:
1. To provide an inventory of the biodiversity in the study area
2. To describe and map key marine habitats using a hybrid REEFWATCH methodology
3. To undertake impact assessments and highlight potential threats
4. To offer management recommendations and suggest monitoring sites

Survey methodology was based upon an extended REEFWATCH technique. The approach is described in the expedition reports along with baseline quantitative data and discussions of key species distributions. This information offers a characteristic "signature" with which environmental managers may assess the state of an area and apply suitable management strategies. Further information on methodology is available from the Tropical Marine Research Unit, University of York, who have recently produced a survey protocol for reef fish census, The REEFWATCH II Protocol for Reef Fish Visual Census, v2.1, 1997.

An outline of the Reefwatch II activities can be found on the Indian Ocean Reef Fish Monitor page. Following the success of the pilot study, a second expedition took place to survey the marine habitats of Curieuse Marine National Park, in late 1996. The reports include fisheries catch data and species lists compiled during the survey.

Look here for a map of Curieuse and Praslin adapted from REEFBASE showing coral reefs.


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