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Feature Destination

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SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup & Coral Restoration Events in Marine Protected Areas

In July 2023, SEVENSEAS Media conducted two impactful events in Krabi, Thailand. The Monthly Beach Cleanup Event at Ao Sew Beach saw enthusiastic volunteers remove a staggering 150.6 kilograms of trash, underscoring the pressing issue of marine pollution and the significance of sustainable practices like reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. The organization stressed the importance of proper waste management to protect coastal ecosystems.

Meanwhile, in the face of an unexpected storm, SEVENSEAS Media’s Coral Nursery & Restoration team demonstrated unwavering dedication, rescuing and relocating 75 corals to safer locations, bolstering their chances of survival and growth. The team outlined a comprehensive plan for continued coral recovery missions and data collection efforts throughout the year. The recent storm served as a stark reminder of the urgency to safeguard coral reefs from climate change impacts. We would like to express our gratitude for the support received from individuals and communities in this conservation community. We would not be able to do it without your support. You can make a tax-deductible donation here to keep our publications and Thailand Cleanup Project afloat.

You can either make a direct financial contribution to SEVENSEAS Media through The Ocean Foundation website or connect us with potential donors by sending an email to  Giacomo Abrusci, our Editor-in-Chief.

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The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.

To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here. 

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here. 

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By Giacomo Abrusci

Photo Banner Caption: A school of fish swims over a seagrass meadow (Thalassodendron ciliatum), now known locally as gomon zerb levantay.
Photo Banner Credit: Seagrass Mapping and Carbon Assessment Project/The Pew Charitable Trusts

Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, is leading a groundbreaking initiative to protect its seagrass meadows, a crucial ecosystem in the battle against climate change. Recognizing the vital role these underwater grasslands play in capturing and storing carbon, supporting marine life, and buffering storm surges, the nation has committed to safeguarding all of its seagrass by 2030 as part of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement. This commitment positions Seychelles at the forefront of ocean conservation and blue economy initiatives.

The importance of seagrass cannot be overstated. Coastal wetlands, which include seagrasses, mangroves, and saltmarshes, have the potential to sequester and store up to five times more carbon per hectare than terrestrial forests. This remarkable capacity for carbon storage makes seagrasses invaluable in mitigating climate change. However, these ecosystems face threats from coastal development and erosion. Protecting seagrass meadows is not only crucial for climate change mitigation but also for preserving the rich biodiversity and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

In Seychelles, the Seagrass Mapping and Carbon Assessment Project, led by the University of Oxford in partnership with local organizations like Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT) and Island Conservation Society, has been instrumental in these efforts. Supported by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the project developed a field-validated map for seagrass meadows and estimated their carbon storage capacity. This mapping initiative, a first of its kind, allows for more precise management and protection of these vital ecosystems.

SeyCCAT has played a pivotal role in raising public awareness about the benefits of seagrass. A notable achievement of their campaign was the development of words in Seychellois Creole for “seagrass,” which reflects the integration of environmental conservation into the nation’s culture and language. This initiative included community engagement, ensuring that the new terminology resonated with the public and became a part of the updated Creole dictionary. By involving the community in this process, the campaign fostered a deeper understanding and appreciation of seagrass ecosystems among Seychellois.

SeyCCAT’s efforts extend beyond mapping and public awareness. They are actively working on developing a blue carbon policy for Seychelles, which will guide sustainable management of blue carbon ecosystems and explore financial opportunities derived from them. Moreover, they are also focused on seagrass restoration, employing measures to prevent certain economic activities that could damage these ecosystems.

Seychelles’ commitment to protecting its seagrass meadows is part of a broader environmental strategy. The nation has already achieved its target of protecting 30% of its exclusive economic zone, a feat accomplished through the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan Initiative. This success was made possible by effective partnerships, scientific research, and strong leadership.

In terms of climate change, Seychelles stands out as a small island developing state that is acutely aware of its vulnerability to environmental changes. By focusing on protecting its seagrass meadows, Seychelles is not only contributing significantly to global carbon sequestration efforts but also demonstrating a sustainable model for other nations to follow. The country’s endeavors highlight the importance of nature-based solutions in combating climate change and underscore the need for continued research and policy development in this area.

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, the efforts of Seychelles serve as a beacon of hope and a testament to what can be achieved through commitment, collaboration, and an understanding of the integral role nature plays in our survival. The preservation of seagrass meadows in Seychelles not only benefits the local environment and communities but also contributes significantly to global efforts to combat climate change, making it a vital endeavor for the health of our planet.

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In a world increasingly impacted by human stressors, a recent study published in Marine Biology sheds light on the vital need for long-term data to understand and protect marine species like sea turtles. Conducted over 40 years (1981-2021) at Aldabra Atoll, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Seychelles, researchers focused on the growth patterns of immature green and hawksbill turtles. This research is crucial as it informs population models that are essential for the management and conservation of these species, particularly in changing marine environments.

The study analyzed extensive capture-mark-recapture data, revealing significant findings about the turtles’ growth. Green turtles showed a curved carapace length (CCL) range of 34.3-110.9 cm, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2 cm. Hawksbill turtles, on the other hand, exhibited a CCL range of 28.7-89.4 cm, growing at an average rate of 2.8 cm per year. Interestingly, the hawksbill turtles’ growth rate was not constant, showing fluctuations as they grew larger, while no specific growth-size relationship was observed for green turtles. This highlights the varied growth patterns within these species and underscores the influence of environmental factors on their development.

The longevity of this study is significant because long-lived, migratory marine vertebrates like sea turtles are particularly susceptible to environmental changes. Factors like growth in body size, influenced by environmental processes, play a crucial role in population growth and survival. Therefore, understanding these life-history parameters is key to developing robust conservation strategies.

Human-induced changes in marine ecosystems, such as increasing temperatures, are altering the living conditions for many marine species. This makes long-term monitoring data more valuable than ever for assessing changes in populations and devising mitigation strategies. In the case of sea turtles, their growth rates can provide insights into their overall health and the health of the ecosystems they inhabit. Studies have demonstrated regional variations in growth rates, influenced by environmental factors and habitat quality.

One crucial aspect highlighted is the impact of environmental conditions on the growth and reproduction of ectothermic turtles. This variation in growth rates among individuals and locations emphasizes the need for a comprehensive understanding of turtle demographics across different sites and regions. The study from Aldabra Atoll contributes to this understanding, offering valuable data on two internationally important turtle populations in the Western Indian Ocean.

The findings from Aldabra Atoll are particularly relevant as they provide a rare glimpse into the life history of sea turtles in an environment with limited direct human impact. This sets a baseline for comparing these populations with others in more human-modified environments. Understanding these differences is crucial for developing effective conservation strategies.

The study sheds light on the potential duration of the immature phase of these turtles at Aldabra. For instance, green turtles and hawksbill turtles may spend more than 8 and 18 years, respectively, using the Seychelles as a foraging ground. This insight is valuable for conservation management, as it underscores the importance of protecting these foraging grounds over extended periods to support the turtles’ development.

The conclusions from Aldabra Atoll serve as a critical contribution to our understanding of sea turtle biology and conservation. It highlights the importance of long-term data in uncovering the nuances of marine vertebrate life histories, which is essential for effective conservation planning. As marine ecosystems continue to change under human influence, such comprehensive studies become increasingly vital for the preservation of species like the green and hawksbill turtles.

Read the full paper in Marine Biology here. DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-023-04197-1

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