Author: NatureSeyBE
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Great Blue Wall report showcases five years of impact on ocean regeneration across the Western Indian Ocean
Mombasa, Kenya, 17 June 2026 — At the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC11) today, the Great Blue Wall unveiled its first Impact Report (2021–2025). The release comes five years after the launch of an ambitious vision to regenerate ocean ecosystems and strengthen coastal livelihoods across the Western Indian Ocean, and it offers compelling evidence that large-scale…
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State ofCoastal and MarineNature-Based Tourismin the Western IndianOcean (WIO) Region
This a pioneering regional report on nature-based tourism in the Western Indian Ocean led by the African Leadership University School of Wildlife Conservation with funding from WIOMSA SCALABLE project grant. Despite coastal and marine tourism acting as a cornerstone of the region’s Blue Economy, it has historically been understudied. The report bridges this gap by…
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Mauritius criminalises ecocide
Source: Ecocide International Mauritius has become the latest country to introduce a domestic crime of ecocide. Classified by the United Nations as a Small Island Developing State, it faces significant environmental risks, including sea level rise and pressure on marine ecosystems that underpin key sectors of its economy such as tourism and fisheries. The provision,…
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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…