The Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment (MACCE) leads the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan Initiative (SMSP) for all of Seychelles ocean.
The draft Marine Spatial Plan underwent a 28-day public review period from 10 February to 10 March 2025 and all comments compiled and addressed. The revised Plan was submitted to the MSP Executive Committee for approval and the comprehensive SMSP was signed into law on 31st March 2025. The Seychelles Cabinet of Ministers approved the Plan document on 14th May 2025.
The Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan (SMSP) is the result of a decade of inclusive and participatory planning to complete Seychelles’ first comprehensive marine plan for marine protections, climate change adaptation, and a sustainable Blue Economy. The overall goal of the government-led spatial planning initiative was to develop and implement an integrated marine plan to optimise the sustainable use and effective management of the Seychelles marine environment while ensuring the social, cultural, and economic well-being of its people.
The SMSP was an evidence-based process that was informed by more than 100 spatial data layers, scientific publications, government and other reports, and local knowledge. The process used global best practices and international guidebooks to achieve the three main objectives: (i) increase marine protection to 30% of the ocean, (ii) address climate change adaptation, and (iii) support the Blue Economy agenda.
The Plan document contains 26 full-page maps, 19 tables with facts and information, and 10 figures that capture the governance structure, decision-making framework, and other SMSP process design elements. The spatial and non-spatial data will carry forward to implementation and are intended to be used by government agencies and stakeholders to inform future discussions and abide by the Seychelles MSP regulations and other related legislation. The Plan and SMSP Atlas will be excellent resources for all Seychellois to increase understanding and awareness of Seychelles’ ocean including species, habitats, and human activities.
QR code for the Plan
