Author: NatureSeyBE
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The Ocean’s Unsung Engineers: Why Sea Cucumbers are in Deep Trouble
By Dr Nirmal Shah They may be the “ugly ducklings” of the sea, but sea cucumbers are the unsung heroes of our marine world. Far from being mere lumps on the ocean floor, these fascinating creatures are essential ecosystem engineers. Much like earthworms on land, they tirelessly recycle nutrients, clean sediments, and process organic matter.…
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The Promise of a Sustainable BLUE Economy
At dawn, he pushes his boat past the surf, where the sea smells of diesel, salt, and yesterday’s rain. His phone is wrapped in plastic, yet it still flashes a weather alert: warmer water, stronger storms. On shore, officials call it “the blue economy.” For him, it comes down to whether his net rises heavy…
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As the World Shifts, Small Islands Build New Partnerships.
In a world marked by geopolitical tension, paucity of Western aid, climate change, and emerging centres of influence, small island states are not passive observers. They are actively forging partnerships that enhance resilience, security, and opportunity. The evolving relationship between Seychelles and larger states illustrates how strategic diplomacy can position small states effectively in a…
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From Flame to Framework: Tackling IUU Fishing in the Western Indian Ocean
On the horizon of the Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in early 2026, the sky was blackened not by a storm, but by the thick plumes of a burning trawler. The intentional destruction of the “Eshini Duwa”—a Sri Lankan vessel intercepted by the Seychelles Coast Guard with an illegal haul of sharks—sent a visceral message…
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Smart, Resilient Investments Key to Jobs and Growth in Seychelles, New World Bank Group Report Finds
WASHINGTON, March 27, 2026— Seychelles has built one of Africa’s strongest economic success stories, and a new report outlines how decisive, resilient, and smart investments and reforms, particularly in tourism, fisheries, energy, infrastructure, and skill building can sustain these gains, unlock new growth engines, create thousands of new quality jobs, and safeguard livelihoods across the…
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Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan now available as a digital flip book
The Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan (SMSP) Atlas (SMSP Atlas – Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan Initiative) is now available online as a digital flip book. The link to the flip book can be found on the SMSP homepage: www.seymsp.com The Seychelles MSP Atlas was initiated in 2014 to support the Marine Spatial Plan process, particularly the…
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Study: Only One Percent of Important Shark and Ray Areas in the WIO Are Fully Protected From Fishing Pressure
Only about 1% of Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) in the Western Indian Ocean are protected from fishing pressure and 98% of that is in Seychelles, says a new paper. Globally, sharks and rays are in serious trouble. About one in every three species is now at risk of extinction. That puts them among…
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Seychelles has one of the world’s highest rate of stranded dFADs
A recent global study on drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) (The global footprint of drifting fish aggregating devices | Science Advances) has uncovered a concerning truth: Seychelles is one of the hardest-hit areas on the planet by dFADs, which have serious implications for its delicate marine ecosystems. dFADs are floating devices that industrial tuna fleets…
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Seychelles becomes sitting member of WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism Steering Committee
Seychelles officially took its seat on the steering committee of the World Trade Organisation’s Fisheries Funding Mechanism on Monday. As the first African World Trade Organisation (WTO) member to ratify the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in March 2023, Seychelles joins the committee with a continued commitment to ensuring that the Fish Fund delivers the necessary…
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The Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan Signed into Law
In 2012, at the Rio+20 Summit, the Government of Seychelles announced its ambitious goal to protect 30% of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), positioning the country as a global leader in marine conservation. To turn this vision into a reality, the Government of Seychelles entered into extensive negotiations with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), culminating in…