Special Audit reveals issues with Seychelles’ coastal management
An in depth audit into the effectiveness of national polices and plans to ensure healthy coastlines in Seychelles was released by the auditor general on Thursday 21st March 2019. According to a newspaper report by Today in Seychelles (23 march 2019) the new audit has revealed numerous problems with the management of Seychelles extensive coastlines and seas. This is threatening the valuable ecosystems sustained by these environments and ultimately the long term economic sustainability of the country.
The audit evaluates and makes recommendations for five critical areas that impact om coastal management: overall coastal management, climate change, overfishing, pollution and degradation, and coastal monitoring and evaluation.
Due to its topography, Seychelles in its entirety is considered as coastal zones, with 90% of its inhabitants residing along the narrow coastal plateau of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. It is there also that 95% of socio-economic activities take place with significant pressure exerted on the area leading to pollution, overexploitation of fish stocks and coastal degradation.
The key finding of the audit related to Seychelles not having an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan. Without an overarching plan that brings together all stockholders under a unified goal, the country has no tangible target to work towards to improve coastal management. Other findings included illegal dumping and waste water discharge polluting the waters especially around the port areas a lack of records for illegal fishing. These findings along many others will help Seychelles attain the coastal management goals set out in the SDGs.
This special review was part of a project initiated by the African Organization of English Speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E), an organization that regroups all English Speaking Supreme Audit Institution on the African Continent. The aim of the project was to identify and bring forth the risk and challenges faced by coastal African nations to effectively manage their coastal areas. A total of six countries participated including the Seychelles and the end product is expected to be a joint report that will highlight the issues identified by these coastal nations.
A copy of the audit report which has been submitted to the national assembly and cabinet is attached.