Blue Economy Roadmap

With an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 1.37 million km2 and a land area of just 455 km2, and population of only 94,000 mainly concentrated on 3 islands, Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, Seychelles’ current and future prosperity is uniquely linked to its marine and coastal assets, with fisheries and tourism the two main pillars of its economy, gross domestic product (GDP) and employment.

In 2015, Seychelles achieved high income country status, thanks to the rapid development of its tourism and sound macroeconomic reform following the 2008 economic crisis. Seychelles enjoys comprehensive social services, including free health and education, housing support, water and waste management services and consistently ranks highest in Africa on global human development indicators.

Seychelles Blue Economy Strategic Framework and Roadmap (the Blue Economy Roadmap), approved by the Government of Seychelles on 31st January 2018, is an integrated approach to ocean based sustainable development which brings together economy, environment and society, consistent with the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 (SDG’s), Aichi Target 11 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (2015)..

It articulates Seychelles “Blue Economy Brand” as a unique comparative advantage based on sustainability credentials, builds on Seychelles national and international legal and policy frameworks, successful flagship initiatives such as marine spatial planning and innovative finance and puts forward a prioritized agenda for action & investment to 2030.

Photo: Fishing Boat Owners Association (FBOA)