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The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

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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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The 115 islands of the Seychelles Archipelago lie scattered across their secret corner of the western Indian Ocean like precious gemstones set in a universe of azure water – stepping stones to the east coast of Africa, some thousand miles away, and natural gateway to the many treasures of the continent.

These islands were first discovered by the brave Arab mariners of the 9^th century B.C. who first began to chart the unknown waters of an ocean they called the ‘bahr al zanj’’ or ‘sea of the blacks’, leaving traces of their presence in the names they gave to certain of the islands such as Aldabra which is sometimes appropriately translated from Arabic as ‘the rock.’

With nothing in the way of historical records to fall back on, we are left with little more than conjecture to fathom the precise history of these spectacularly beautiful islands which may also have received visits from the Phoenicians; from a people who once sailed from the other side of the planet to eventually settle the island of Madagascar and from the famous 1472 Chinese treasure fleet of Admiral Zheng. Whatever their past, the waves have long since washed away all trace of those early settlers and explorers. 

After having served as a hideout for the pirates of the 17^th and 18^th century, one of whom, Olivier Le Vasseur, also known as La Buse, is believed to have buried a massive and as yet undiscovered treasure hoard on the main island, Mahé, the islands were finally settled by the French in 1756. They remained a French colony until they passed to the English after the defeat of Napoleon in 1814 and it was they who administrated the islands until their independence as a sovereign republic within the Commonwealth in 1976.

The islands’ legendary loveliness has long acted as a magnet to travellers in search of the Holy Grail of pristine tropical beauty and many famous travellers have beaten a path to its shores including the likes of Ian Fleming, author of James Bond, who visited the islands to receive inspiration for one of his Bond books.

The islands finally emerged from their slumber of ages in 1972 when they became connected to the rest of the world via a new international airport which saw the birth of the islands’ tourism industry.

Seychelles, straddling the western Indian Ocean between 6 and 10 degrees south of the equator, is divided into 6 island groups with the Inner Islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue together with their neighbouring isles forming the hub of the islands’ tourism industry, the economic life of the nation and its political and social infrastructure.

Measuring 27km long and 8km wide, Mahé, the principal island is a mountainous, granitic island that boasts no less than 65 beaches. It is home to the capital, Victoria, and also to the international airport and to the vast majority of the 90,000, mainly Roman Catholic population. Commanding spectacular views of the surrounding ocean, Mahé contains the lion’s share of the archipelago’s hotels, tourism amenities and retail outlets. The charming capital, Victoria, has many fascinating nooks & crannies and points of historical interest including its bustling market that supplies much of the island’s fresh produce: fresh fish; vegetables; fruits; condiments and spices. Mahé also showcases a surprising variety of flora & fauna including many indigenous species, discoverable at the Botanical Gardens or on organised excursions along popular walks and trails. The fascinating underwater treasure houses of the Ste. Anne and Cap Ternay Marine National Parks, meanwhile, can be visited on snorkelling expeditions and a variety of excursions.  

Seychelles’ second largest island, Praslin, lies 45 kilometers (24 miles) north-east of Mahé and is accessible by Air Seychelles domestic flights in 15 minutes or by fast catamaran ferry in 45 minutes. It is home to the legendary Vallée de Mai in which grows the fabulous Coco-de-mer and possesses some of the most striking beaches of the archipelago such as Anse Lazio, widely acclaimed to be the most beautiful beach on earth.

Praslin stands at the forefront of the country’s tourism industry with a rich assortment of hotels and guesthouses whose strong tradition of Seychelles’ hospitality over a period of many years has proved a favourite with visitors.

The island is ideally situated for holidaymakers wishing to island hop to a handful of nearby exotic destinations such as Chauve Souris, Cousin, Curieuse, St. Pierre, La Digue and the Aride bird reserve.  It is also a haven for nature lovers seeking rare endemic species such as the black parrot for which Praslin is the last habitat or wishing to explore the island’s network of footpaths.

La Digue, known as ‘the island where Time stands still’, is situated forty kilometres (25 miles) from Mahé and 7 km (3.5 miles) from Praslin and is the fourth largest island in the Seychelles after Silhouette. This granite island, with its unique, languid pace of life, receives its visitors mainly by boat at the quaint jetty at La Passe and is a popular destination for holidaymakers wishing for a taste of the traditional.Here is a place where the bicycle and ox cart still hold sway on shady island pathways and where a distinct sense of antiquity pervades the island’s customs, architecture and general way of life. 

Anse la Source d’Argent is among the island’s most famous beaches, celebrated for its granite boulders that seem to have been sculpted by a divine hand to adorn a beach of breath-taking beauty while at the Union Estate, visitors will have the chance to view some of the traditional local industries of times past.  Nature lovers will have the opportunity to seek out the rare Black Paradise Flycatcher, once thought to be extinct but now protected in the La Digue Vev Special Reserve which is also home to two extremely rare species of terrapin. The woodlands of La Digue are especially attractive and nurture several species of delicate orchids. The island is also an ideal stepping-stone for the nearby island attractions of Grande and Petit Soeur, Félicité, Coco and Marianne.

The remaining five groups of Outer Islands represent the far frontier of the Seychelles holiday experience. Here, shimmering atolls and reef islands, thread like pearls on strings of surf and unaltered since the days of their origin, offer the summit of island-style living. Currently, only three such islands offer accommodation: the islands of Denis and Bird located 100 miles to the north of Mahé and Desroches Island in the Amirantes, 140 miles to the south-east. Here the fishing, diving and sailing are superb in places where the only sail on the ocean and the only tracks on any beach will be your own.

Overall, all the islands have been blessed with many natural assets and attributes including possessing a near-perfect and disease-free climate; an endless list of world-beating beaches; a sanctuary for some of the world’s rarest species of flora & fauna and an enviable conservation record whereby almost half of the 455 sq.km landmass has been set aside as natural parks and reserves.  There are also no less than two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the extraordinary Vallée de Mai where the legendary, double-lobed coconut, the Coco-de-Mer grows high on ancient palms in a setting so surreal it was once thought to be the original site of the Garden of Eden, and Aldabra atoll, the planet’s largest raised coral atoll.

Nowhere else on earth will you find the mysterious Jellyfish Tree of which only 8 specimens remain; the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher; the world’s smallest frog; heaviest land tortoise; largest population of giant land tortoises (150,000) living in the wild and the Indian Ocean’s only flightless bird. Between them, the islands also boast some of the most spectacular seabird colonies on earth as well as 13 species and 17 sub-species of birdlife that occur in Seychelles and nowhere else, making the islands a true birdwatcher’s paradise.

The surrounding waters, meanwhile, are a natural aquarium boasting a dizzying array of coral reef fish, turtle, ray, shark, dolphin, marlin and sailfish as well as colourful coral growth and a host of other marine organisms. The world’s largest fish migrates to these waters: that gentle giant of the seas, the 40 ft. whale shark – one of Seychelles’ many protected species.

Also on offer is an amazing degree of diversity which takes in the contrast between 41 towering granite isles and the 74 shimmering sand cays, reef islands and atolls of the Outer Islands while the multi-ethnic roots of its relatively young society lend themselves to a varied and vibrant culture with all its people and major religions living beside one another in perfect harmony. The diversity also extends to contrasting styles of architecture and beyond to the delicious, Seychellois Creole cuisine with its magical blend of European, Indian and Chinese culinary influences.

And when it comes to things to do, there is a wide choice of world-class fishing, sailing and diving as well as spa & wellness holidays, honeymoons & romance, trekking, island-hopping & golf. All of these can be enjoyed from an equally diverse array of accommodation options that includes the ultimate in pampering at exclusive 5-star resorts and island hideaways, the Creole intimacy of the smaller hotel and guesthouse and the flexibility of any number of self-caterings. These are the stepping stones to your unique experience of Paradise, where the innate tranquility of the islands forms the ideal backdrop against which to recalibrate mind, body and soul and enjoy the vacation of a lifetime.

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No account of Seychelles’ riches can be considered complete without mention of its reputation as ‘The Islands of Love’ and it is little wonder that that lovers are inspired to take their vows and wed in this gentle and romantic atmosphere. Sensual Seychelles creates the idyllic ambience for an unforgettable wedding day, honeymoon or anniversary upon the silver-soft sands and beneath the swaying palms of discreet island hideaways. 

Transportation, both in between and around the islands, makes the visitor’s dream of island-hopping a reality and besides Air Seychelles’ domestic flights, fast ferry transfers or passages on traditional, sail-assisted schooners all bring the principal islands and their satellites within easy reach. 

A varied choice of excursions, both land and marine, is available through local ground handlers that will introduce you to the very best that Seychelles has to offer while hire and chauffeur driven cars and taxis are also available for you to enjoy your personal voyage of discovery around the main islands of Mahé and Praslin. A wide network of bus routes on Mahé and Praslin caters for most itineraries for those who wish to sample an aspect of the typical Creole lifestyle.Further memorable experiences can be had via Seychelles’ suite of events that includes February’s increasingly popular Eco-friendly Marathon; August’s Feast of La Digue; September’s Tourism Ball and the perennial FetAfrik and Festival Kreol. 

The islands have been made accessible as never before thanks to the arrival on the aviation scene of major players such as Emirates Airlines, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Condor, Sri Lankan Airline, Turkish Airways, British Airways, Air France and Etihad which is now in a dynamic partnership with the national carrier, Air Seychelles, offering daily frequencies to make Seychelles virtually one stop away from anywhere on the planet with the added advantage of zero visa requirements for any nationality. 

Meditation techniques invite us to close our eyes and imagine Shangrila, a mythical place of ultimate harmony where tired spirits can be refreshed and worries washed away. Somewhere with the space to breathe the purest air and ample room to stroll the trackless, powder-soft sands of breathtaking beaches. A place for the senses to feast on the endless delight of fresh experiences.

Creation has blessed Seychelles with all of this and more. Against the backdrop of its unique island beauty, it is a place where harmony, tranquillity and Nature at its very best will conspire to leave you with the memories of a lifetime.

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More than 250 Million tons of plastic are estimated to make its way into our oceans by 2025 painting a worrying image of the future. The impact of plastic on the world’s oceans has shocked many and with the worrying statistic that there will be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050, its but a wonder as to when and how this statistic can be reversed. Scenes of a hawksbill turtle getting a straw pulled out of its nose, the sea birds feeding their chicks plastic or a washed up whale with over 50 plastic bags found in its stomach, are impossible to unsee. As Governments and international organizations seek new policies and discuss these very issues at Ocean Conferences on the environmental impact of plastic, small Non-Governmental Organisations of the paradisaic small island state of Seychelles are combating the scourge of plastic in community building and innovative ways.

The Ocean Project, the SIDS Youth Aims Hub and the Seychelles Islands Foundation, are three of the many non-governmental organisations at the center of pioneering projects combating the catastrophic impact of plastics in the indian ocean, whilst implementing new ways for the population to live sustainably. In 2017, the result of fervent campaigns by numerous NGOs, saw Seychelles ban plastic bags, cutlery and take away boxes and in 2019 a ban on plastic straws will soon come into place. The monumental efforts for policy change and outreach to encourage sustainable consumer habits have also encouraged actions on the outer islands, of which are out of reach and largely unpopulated but are negatively impacted with coast line plastic pollution. The Island Conservation Society (ICS) and the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) are two environmental organisations that manage several of Seychelles’ outer islands and have been carrying out beach clean ups in the areas under their remit. But the work doesn’t stop there! 

These efforts, concentrated on changes of consumption on Seychelles’ main islands have also encouraged actions on the outer islands, which are largely inaccessible and unpopulated, but also have plastic accumulating. The Island Conservation Society (ICS) and the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) are two environmental organisations that manage several of Seychelles’ outer islands and have been conducting small scale beach cleans on the areas they manage.

The Ocean Project Seychelles (TOP) 

In response to the global issues of marine plastic pollution affecting Seychelles, two young women, Zara Pardiwalla and Karine Rassool co-founded The Ocean Project Seychelles (TOP) in November 2016 with a mission to tackle the problem through education, action and research. 

Since its establishment the Ocean Project have hosted 41 coastal clean ups, engaged 1200 volunteers and have collected over 8+ tons of rubbish consisting of plastics. This passionate group combine education and action on the plastic pollution issue, of which another goal is to spark positive and lasting changes in consumer habits.

Biggest Beach Clean Up 

On the 15th September 2018, to commemorate World CleanUp Day, TOP in collaboration with LWMA and the Seychelles Sustainable Tourism Foundation (SSTF) hosted the “Seychelles’ Biggest Beach Clean Up”, which was the biggest NGO and private sector collaboration in Seychelles and saw the participation of over 700 people, cleaning 27 beaches across 7 islands and collected 3.5+ tons of rubbish (supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme and the Environment Trust Fund). 

Beach Clean Ups with an Educational touch

The TOP team carry out clean ups that also promote citizen science, by working with volunteers to sort the rubbish collected into various categories and data is recorded on the type and amount of rubbish collected. The data has already proved useful in informing other TOP projects and has also been shared, with the Department of Environment and the Land Waste Management Agency (LWMA). TOP is looking to focus more on research in the coming years and to undertake a marine littering monitoring programme at fixed locations across Mahe.

The Last Straw Campaign

TOP is also the NGO behind The Last Straw Seychelles; an innovative campaign to reduce the use of plastic straws in Seychelles and the amount of plastic straws ending up in the oceans, through commitments from individuals and venues to stop serving plastic straws. As a result of this campaign many hotel chains in Seychelles have made the switch and are using alternatives such as pasta straws, paper straws and aluminum straws for their clients. 

TOP recently purchased the screening rights of the documentary, A Plastic Ocean. Two school screenings have been held in 2018 and at least four screenings are scheduled over the next few months, including a screening at the Seychelles Ocean Festival (also supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme). Also in the pipeline is TOP’s Plastic Arts project. TOP has previously collaborated with The Meraki Foundation to create plastic art pieces and will be launching a new project which aims to build and exhibit aesthetically powerful, large-scale, art installations out of plastic debris to educate a national audience about marine plastic pollution and to engage action on the issue (supported by the GEF Small Grants Programme).

For more information, see the TOP website: www.theoceanprojectseychelles.com or
Facebook/Instagram: @theoceanproject.sey & @thelaststrawseychelles

SIDS Youth AIMS Hub-Seychelles (SYAH Seychelles)

SIDS Youth  AIMS Hub- Seychelles is the Seychelles Chapter of a regional network of young people on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS) is a youth led NGO. SYAH Seychelles was founded in 2014 with the aims of promoting and advancing youth-led sustainable development projects, as well as increasing youth participation in decision-making at both national and international level. The overall objective involves a network os regional small island states engaging young people to play an active role in the sustainable development of their countries, on a national, regional and global level. There are many initiatives and projects relating to the 4 Sustainable Development Goals such as, Clean Energy (SDG 7), Climate Change (SDG 13), Life below Water (SDG 14) and Life on Land (SDG 15). 

A Seychelles Free Plastic Bags Campaign

A Seychelles Free from Plastic Bags was a campaign launched by the SIDS Youth AIMS Hub – Seychelles in July 2015 to commemorate International Day free from plastic bags. After it was announced, late 2015, by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change that there would be a ban on plastic bags, SYAH chose multi tasked approach – online and offline education, action orientated policy and research. They coined their campaign with the hashtag – #SayYesToThePlasticBan of which 12 clean ups over 12 months took place mobilising small groups and large groups to take action against coastal littering and raise awareness on the negative impact of plastic. SYAH also aw the collaboration with prison inmates at the Seychelles prison to produce alternatives to plastic bags where the inmates produced bags that can be reused of which were then sold and reinvested into the campaign.

Blue Economy Internship Programme

The Blue Economy is a developing world initiative pioneered by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) aimed at changing mindsets and behaviour of using the ocean as a means of free resource and waste dumping – a mechanism for a more sustainable use of the ocean. As well as endorsing the importance of the ocean towards a country’s prosperity, it also encourages sustainable development of conducting ocean based economic activity. 

With youth unemployment rising across the world, SYAH Seychelles is driving for young people to use new opportunities such as the Blue Economy to promote sustainable development opportunities by exposing them to existing frameworks and organisations that fall under the Blue Economy remit. The internship includes a 2 week placement in different organisation followed by a fully funded trip to Mauritius provided that the interns fulfil their deliverables. In Mauritius the interns learn and exchange information about the developments of the ocean economy within the region.With the exposure to different sectors under the Blue Economy, the aim is that young people can then assess where the gaps remain and how the would like to start an enterprise to bridge the existing gaps. 

Dive Against Debris

SYAH will soon be launching a new project called Dive Against Debris which aims to allow participants to get their Open Water PADI Certificate in order to Dive against Debris in the next two years to reduce marine pollution in the ocean. 

Seychelles Islands Foundation & the Aldabra Clean Up Project (SIF)

The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) is a non-profit charitable organisation that was established as a public trust by the government of Seychelles in 1979. SIF manages and protects the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Aldabra Atoll and the Vallée de Mai and has the President of Seychelles, Danny Faure, as Patron. SIF is managed by a Board of Trustees of 15 members who are appointed by the President. The foundation is mandated and dedicated to ensuring that the World Heritage Sites of Seychelles are well-managed protected areas where conservation, research, education and tourism are sustainably balanced. A major focus is on scientific research to direct, support and improve conservation management of the unique biodiversity and ecosystems of these two very different sites. SIF have undertaken a myriad of projects such as the European Union Invasive Alien Species Project aimed at addressing the problem of invasive species in the two world heritage sites in Seychelles, Aldabra & the Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island; the UNESCO funded eradication of introduced birds on Aldabra which was successfully completed in 2017.

The Aldabra Clean-Up Project

Plastic pollution is affecting the world’s second largest coral atoll, the home of the largest population of giant tortoises and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the majestic Aldabra. The plastic pollution that has been washing up on the shorelines of Aldabra for decades now, blocks the paths of nesting green turtles, entangles and is ingested by seabirds and waders, and strangles marine mammals such as dolphins and whales. Pieces of plastic from this washed up debris are even increasingly found in the droppings of (land-based) giant tortoises.

SIF is currently spearheading the first ever ‘Aldabra Clean-Up Project’ that unites six Oxford Graduate student volunteers with six Seychellois Volunteers, selected through a national video competition. The project was launched in the UK in May 2018 at the Royal Society, and in Seychelles by the President of Seychelles (SIF’s Patron) in June 2018. The project is aimed at tackling the problem of marine plastic pollution through action, education and research. With the accumulation of plastics on the coastline of Aldabra over several decades the impact on Aldabra’s wildlife has been noticeable and in recent years that action had to be taken! The team of 12 volunteers will remove waste from Aldabra’s shores on a five-week expedition in March 2019, which will then be transported over 1000km to Mahé for proper processing.

The project encompasses much more than just a beach clean-up, the volunteers have been fundraising to cover the costs of the project, whilst also raising awareness locally and globally on the huge impact of marine pollution. During this unique expedition the volunteers will be collecting trash from all the different areas of Aldabra, even the most remote sites and the waste will be split into categories with some items such as flip flops, plastic bottles, glass bottles, fishing buoys and rope collected separately in slings and gunny bags and sent to Mahé where further segregation will take place. With the aim of re-using and re-purposing the waste, items like buoys will be given to organisations operating at sea, especially conservation-oriented ones based in Seychelles, as well as involving local and international processors to find out whether plastic can be baled and reused. A whole operation will be underway to make sure that as much waste was possible isn’t landfilled, and in the most creative way, SIF hope to create art pieces and other exhibits from plastic, particularly flip flops which are hard to recycle.

To date, beach surveys have identified 73 brands with products washed ashore on Aldabra and it was found that a 100 metre stretch of Aldabra beach, during the northwest season, receives on average five kilograms of marine debris daily! Moreover these surveys have indicated that while flip flops, lighters and drink bottles are the most numerous items being washed on to Aldabra, fishing gear (ropes, nets and buoys) is the most prominent form marine debris by weight. More information on the quantity, composition, source of this marine debris as well as the effort needed to remove it will be made available after the expedition through our social media platforms (@AldabraCleanup) and more official channels. It is our hope that this research will inform individual choices as well corporate and governmental policies to make the necessary changes. Ultimately, the Aldabra Clean-Up Project will provide a baseline for future and further actions on top of being an example of what a group of committed young people can accomplish together.

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