Archives

Coral superhighway in the Indian Ocean

This entry was posted on by .

Despite being scattered across more than a million square kilometres, new research has revealed that remote coral reefs across the Seychelles are closely related. Using genetic analyses and oceanographic modelling, researchers at Oxford University demonstrated for the first time that a network of ocean currents scatter significant numbers of larvae between these distant islands, acting as a ‘coral superhighway.’ These results have been published today in Nature Scientific Reports.

This SeyCCAT-funded project under Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) showed high levels of connectivity across the Indian Ocean. Dr April Burt (Department of Biology, University of Oxford, and Seychelles Islands Foundation), lead author of the study, said: ‘This discovery is very important because a key factor in coral reef recovery is larval supply. Although corals have declined alarmingly across the world due to climate change and a number of other factors, actions can be taken at local and national scale to improve reef health and resilience. These actions can be more effective when we better understand the connectivity between coral reefs by, for instance, prioritising conservation efforts around coral reefs that act as major larval sources to support regional reef resilience.’

For the University of Oxford Press Release – read more here! 

Aerial view of Aldabra atoll, Seychelles (Photo: Chris Mason-Parker).

 

WIO Coral Connectivity app

This entry was posted on by .

The islands of Seychelles are wrapped in coral reefs, living rainbows in fantastical shapes of Gothic cathedral spires and delicate lace fans. These reefs send out coral larvae that are carried by  ocean currents to new destinations – gifts from Seychelles to other nations.

Where do the baby corals go? Answering this question is important for marine conservation, to predict the potential of coral reefs to recover from bleaching events and adapt to a warmer ocean. For the first time, a new app – Coral Connectivity – makes their journeys visible. With just a click one can see that the Outer Islands – including UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aldabra Atoll – disperse coral larvae to reefs across much of the east African coastline.

The app was built on the first in-depth coral reef connectivity study in Seychelles and the wider Southwest Indian Ocean. In partnership with the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), and with funding from the National Environment Research Council (NERC) and Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT), University of Oxford researchers Noam Vogt-Vincent, April Burt and other scientists used high-resolution ocean surface current predictions to simulate the dispersal of coral larvae between all coral reefs in the region. Oxford scientist Dr. Vogt-Vincent explains that “the connectivity modeling was compared to population genetics and species distributions to tease apart the physical and biological drivers of larval dispersal and connectivity.”

With the Coral Connectivity app, these cutting-edge data can be used to support reef management and restoration in Seychelles, the implementation of the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan (SMSP) and bolster local and regional policy.

This project received a Blue Grant Fund from the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT), an independent trust established in 2016 for the world’s first ocean debt conversion. A partnership between Seychelles and The Nature Conservancy for a 30% ocean protection goal and a Marine Spatial Plan, the debt conversion generates approximately USD $430,000 per year for conservation and climate change adaptation. Blue Grant Fund projects help secure ocean biodiversity and support a thriving Blue Economy in Seychelles. This project was featured in The Nature Conservancy’s Africa Year in Review 2023.

For those interested in the technical specifications of the Coral Connectivity high-resolution ocean model, please see the references below. In brief, the high-resolution ocean model generated predictions of surface currents every 30 minutes from 1993 to 2020 (along with other oceanographic variables at less frequent intervals). The larval dispersal simulations predict the movement of coral larvae between all pairs of over 8000 coral reefs in the southwest Indian Ocean, for around 10,000 virtual mass-spawning events. All data (oceanographic, genetic, and coral connectivity) are openly available in full.

References:

Vogt-Vincent, N.S. and H.L. Johnson. 2023. Multidecadal and climatological surface content simulations for the southwestern Indian Ocean at 1/50° resolution. Geoscientific Model Development. 16: 1163-1178. Open Access: https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-16-1163-2023

Vogt-Vincent, N.S., S. Mitarai, and H.L. Johnson. 2023. High-frequency variability dominates potential connectivity between remote coral reefs. Limnology and Oceanography. 68(12): 2733-2748.  Open Access: https://doi.org/10.1002/lno.12455

Credits:

The Coral Connectivity app is based on coral larval dispersal simulations run by researchers at the University of Oxford, led by Noam Vogt-Vincent, April Burt, and Helen Johnson. The interactive web app was conceptualised by Noam Vogt-Vincent and Otis Brunner, and developed by Julia Janicki.

Image: Noam Vogt-Vincent, University of Oxford

Live from the Deep Sea

This entry was posted on by .

World Economic Forum is live this week from Davos, Switzerland.

Live from the Deep Sea – Wed 17 January 16:00-17:00 CET time zone
https://www.weforum.org/events/world-economic-forum-annual-meeting-2024/sessions/live-from-the-deep-sea

Below the ocean surface is a world that is vast, distant and alien. We are now able to understand and explore more of this realm with technology.

Join Caribbean marine biologist and explorer Diva Amon live from a deep-sea submersible examining the health of Mesophotic coral reefs off the coast of the Seychelles. She is joined by prominent experts and industry leaders to explore the potential of technology and how it can be harnessed to better steward ocean health.

This event is supported by the OceanX Expedition vessel, which is currently at Aldabra Atoll.

As part of a collaboration between the World Economic Forum and OceanX Education, marine biologist Dr. Diva Amon and OceanX Head of Science Operations Mattie Rodrigue will join a panel discussion during the Forum’s Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos from OceanXplorer in the Outer Islands, Seychelles. Rodrigue will give audiences a glimpse of science operations aboard the vessel in Mission Control. In a first for Davos, Amon will broadcast live from a submersible 200 meters below the surface, taking viewers on a journey to a never-before-explored deep-sea reef. The livestream is part of a series led by OceanX Education, an initiative to develop the next generation of ocean leaders to have a positive impact on our planet.

The session entitled Live from the Deep Sea: The Next Frontier for Knowledge and Action will be moderated by TIME Magazine Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs and feature David Obura, Director of CORDIO East Africa, Andrew Forrest, Chairman and Founder of Fortescue and Minderoo Foundation, and Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy. OceanX Founder and Advisor Ray Dalio will also make remarks. Convened under the thematic track, A Long-Term Strategy for Climate, Nature and Energy, this session offers a high-profile opportunity to discuss the tension between our growing ability to explore and exploit the ocean, with the imperative to conserve and protect it. Davos also offers a platform through which OceanX will highlight its cutting-edge science and technology and inventive storytelling.

The Seychelles mission supports OceanX’s broader effort to “explore the ocean and bring it back to the world.” Data collection and findings from the OceanX mission will form a solid foundation for Seychelles ocean conservation and protection.

Happy Holidays 2023

This entry was posted on by .

As we close the chapter on another year of planning, we would like to take a moment to thank all stakeholders for your contributions throughout the year. We wish to convey our heartfelt appreciation for your continued engagements in the SMSP. It has been a pleasure working with you all. We look forward to the next year ahead and to finalising the SMSP.  Wishing everyone a peaceful and safe holiday season. 

IUCN designates Seychelles Important Shark and Ray Area

This entry was posted on by .

The International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) has recognised the Seychelles Inner Islands as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA).

The Seychelles Inner Islands ISRA has an area of 5,532.44 km2.

The IUCN Seychelles Inner Islands ISRA Fact Sheet at this link:
https://sharkrayareas.org/wp-content/uploads/isra-factsheets/07WestIndianOcean/Seychelles-Inner-Islands-07WestIndianOcean.pdf

Suggested citation
IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group. 2023. Seychelles Inner Islands ISRA Factsheet. Dubai: IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group.

Seychelles MSP at COP28

This entry was posted on by .

The Seychelles Pavilion featured a panel discussion, Q&A and networking session at the COP28 event in Dubai.

Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan: Successes, Challenges and Lessons Learned. 

Wednesday 6th December 2023 at the Seychelles Pavilion
15:30 – 17:00 hrs

Photos: Annike Faure, Seychelles

Legal Roadmap

This entry was posted on by .

In January 2023, with financial support from SeyCCAT, the SMSP has received a report “Towards Effective Implementation of the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan – Legal Considerations and Roadmap”.  The purpose of the study was to provide the SMSP and government with an in-depth review of current legislation, regulations and policy and prepare a legal roadmap for finalizing the SMSP and signing the MSP into law or regulation.

For more information, see this page on the SMSP website:  click here

Public Consultation EXTENDED ONE WEEK – Sustainable Use Area DRAFT management plans

This entry was posted on by .

C2O and MACCE have extended the period for online consultation for the three Sustainable Use Area DRAFT management plans by ONE WEEK.

Consultation will now close at 11:59pm on Monday 14 August 2023 (Seychelles time).

As a reminder consultation is open to all stakeholders and interested public to review and comment on three DRAFT management plans for Sustainable Use Areas (Zone 2) from the Seychelles MSP Initiative:

  1. Amirantes to Fortune Bank Sustainable Use Area,
  2. Cosmoledo and Astove Archipelago Sustainable Use Area, and
  3. Farquhar Archipelago Sustainable Use Area.

This round of consultation is online-based only.

You can access the draft plans and feedback forms via:  Management Plans

We look forward to your continued participation in this important process and to receiving your comments for the future management of these important marine areas in the Seychelles.

C2O Fisheries team

Seychelles Case Study 2.0

This entry was posted on by .

An update on the Seychelles debt-for-nature swap is provided by Convergence in their March 2023 publication on the impact of blended finance.

Convergence case studies are a knowledge product designed to provide a detailed and comprehensive dive into an individual blended finance transaction in order to build the evidence base for blended finance as a development tool and support practitioners and prospective investors in future blended finance endeavours. This report reflects on the portfolio of case studies on blended finance transactions that Convergence has produced since 2015

Report titled “Evaluating the Impact of Blended Finance” – link to report

Public Consultation Draft Management Plans

This entry was posted on by .

The Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE) invites the public to review and comment on draft Management Plans for three Sustainable Use Areas.

Stakeholders and the public are invited to review and comment on three DRAFT management plans for these Sustainable Use Areas (Zone 2) from the Seychelles MSP Initiative:

  • Amirantes to Fortune Bank Sustainable Use Area
  • Cosmoledo and Astove Archipelago Sustainable Use Area
  • Farquhar Archipelago Sustainable Use Area

DRAFT Sustainable Use Areas management plans and the online comment form – click here

If you have any questions, please consult a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document created for this consultation process – click here

Comment Period: 14th July to 7th August 2023.   EXTENDED ONE WEEK to 14th August 2023.

Comment forms will close on:  7th August 2023 at 11:59 PM (Seychelles time).
EXTENDED:  Closes Monday 14th August 2023 at 11:59 PM (Seychelles time).   See updated News Items

MACCE wants to hear from you and looks forward to receiving your comments for the future management of these important marine areas in the Seychelles.