Bio-diversity

The Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles (MCSS) is the only national Non-Governmental Organisation dedicated exclusively to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity. MCSS works closely with local partners in public, private and NGO sectors and has a long track record of successful implementation of conservation projects which address conservation on strategic, national and local levels. Seychelles has long been conservation oriented but there is a lack of knowledge of local marine biodiversity and associated threats, particularly among civil society and it is acknowledged that there are still a number of barriers to effective biodiversity conservation which this project aims to address. The Seychelles Sustainable Development Strategy (SSDS) 2010-2020 has identified strengthening of PA management as a priority, while the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) recognizes the goal of increasing in-situ conservation and ensuring that threats to biodiversity from climate change are considered; this proposed project will address both of these areas. The Republic of the Seychelles was instrumental in the setting up of the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary and within their territorial waters all marine mammals are protected in relation to harvesting. Although 26 species of marine mammals are listed in Seychelles waters, little work has been focused on marine mammals in this area since the Sanctuary s inception. However, threats to marine mammals are increasing, the effects of climate change on their ecology and conservation is largely unknown and submarine exploration for petroleum has already started in this area, which has been proven to have severe impacts on marine mammals. Similarly, the impact of demersal and industrial fisheries is largely unknown but demersal fisheries have become affected by significant losses due to depredation by marine mammals removing line-caught fish. The cause for the increase in this type of behaviour by marine mammals is unknown but has been linked to various stimuli or stresses. This project will be implemented by MCSS in association with Islands Conservation Society (ICS) and with cooperation of several NGO/CBO and governmental bodies. The project aims to train a corps of individuals to monitor marine mammals by visual and acoustic methods to capture data on the diversity, distribution and associated behaviour around the inner islands and Amirantes. The methods used will include the use of binoculars and photography to visually identify species along side sea-bed mounted acoustic recording and detection devices that allow the recognition of marine mammals while under water / out of sight over prolonged periods. These methods will be supplemented by high resolution acoustic hydrophone arrays deployed from vessels to ascertain marine mammal presence and behaviour during fishing and seismic activities. This information and the skills learned will help to mitigate impacts from seismic submarine exploration for oil and provide information on marine mammal behaviour in relation to demersal long-line fishery operations, thereby assist efforts to minimise the effects of marine mammal depredation. The project will make effective use of the built-up capacity of local NGOs for replication of successful technologies and approaches and thereby strengthen and sustain the replication of the project to other sites and the up-scaling of techniques learned. Further, the successful implementation will create greater impacts and closer links between local efforts by mainstreaming these issues and global environmental benefits by supporting a more extensive geographic coverage for policy improvement through better information supply to policy makers. The broad pool of trained individuals in the different organisations will ensure the sustainability of the project outcomes after the completion of the project ensuring the continued monitoring of these species and appropriate evaluation. The project addresses a number of the SGP indicators in the Biodiversity Focal Area: Protection of at least 4 globally significant species; 2 National Policies informed (SSDS and NBSAP); 1 new technology (for this area) applied in this project; and Local communities / sectors are better equipped to become involved in local policy making forums (Fishery strategy and quota discussions, Development and PA discussions) under the SGP Empowerment Indicators. With respect to the Country Programme Strategy, the project falls primarily under the CPS Objective 1: To reduce local threats to biodiversity through Outcome 1.4 increase local scientific knowledge of local biodiversity and threats . The project results will also address CPS Objective 2: Improve local efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change through CPS Outcome 2.2 Reduce Seychelles vulnerability to climate change impacts by means of Output 1 improve food security by enhancing production . The project will also support the CPS goals on empowerment by improving the roles played by NGO s and civil society / CBOs in national environmental management. Similarly, the project will also support the CPS goals of Gender equality through the training programmes offered which will also provide alternative livelihood opportunities within the context of employment of trained marine mammal observers in fisheries and petroleum exploration fields.

Seychelles