Nature Seychelles CEO, Dr Nirmal Shah has been named Indian Ocean Hero in the latest issue of New African Magazine. In the article titled “Africa’s Indian Ocean heroes and climate change” the writer highlights that Africa is especially affected by climate change and specific issues need to be addressed in the ongoing climate talks in Paris, the Conference of Parties (COP21). Shah together with Dr. David Obura and Mohammed Ali Baddi of Kenya, are named Indian Ocean heroes for their passion and years of work in conservation in the region. This issue of the magazine is a special issue focusing on COP21. Shah, in his capacity as a special envoy is in fact part of the delegation representing Seychelles at COP21.

Recent emotive statements by politicians vying for the post of President in both the United States and Seychelles made me realize that no matter how different the Presidential races may be between these two countries, there are indeed some important similarities. At least one topic has produced similar pronouncements from several candidates in both countries. Economic inequality or the personal earning gap has spawned a blame game, but no realistic economic solution. I believe this is because economic inequality is not only a fact in both countries but is also a complex phenomenon which is not very well understood.

Nature Seychelles’ Eric Blais recently returned from the 6th session of the CSO/Private sector forum on sustainable Tuna Fisheries management in the South West Indian Ocean held in Mombasa, Kenya. The meeting was hosted by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Tuna Fisheries Alliance of Kenya (TuFAK). Such meetings have been held annually since 2010. This is the third such meeting attended by a Nature Seychelles representative.