Marine spatial planning is best achieved and most successful when conducted based on an “objective-based approach”. A SMART objective approach to MSP is organised around a hierarchy of goals, objectives, activities, and indicators that evaluate activities in achieving the goals and objectives. Ideally goals and objectives will be derived from problems or issues in the marine area and will reflect a set of MSP principles. Clearly identifying goals and objectives is thus a cornerstone of marine spatial planning and aligns with global best practices for organising a planning process (IOC-UNESCO 2009; MSPglobal 2022).
The Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan began in 2014 with three Goals that were communicated to the stakeholders and the public. Achieving the goals was developed in discussion with stakeholders including defining the SMART objectives, activities and indicators.
3 Goals of the SMSP are:
- Increase Marine Protection Areas by 30%
- Support the Blue Economy
- Address Climate Change Adaptation
Seychelles MSP SMART Objectives
SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
Goal 1: Increase Marine Protection Areas by 30 percent.
Identify new marine protection areas for 30% of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Territorial Sea by 2020 by representation of species and habitats and by total area.
Goal 2: Support the Blue Economy Agenda
Develop Allowable Activities Tables with sustainability criteria for MSP Zones by 2022 to support the Blue Economy Agenda throughout the Seychelles’ coastal and marine environments.
Goal 3. Climate Change Adaptation
By 2020, develop climate change risk mapping for coral reefs and coastal protection to better understand the most important climate risks in Seychelles, and better understand options for adaptation measures and feasibility of implementing them.
Activities and Indicators to Support SMSP SMART Objectives
Activities and indicators were identified or developed for each SMART objectives in consultation with the government agencies, SMSP stakeholders, and local experts. The activities also support the implementation of the Seychelles MSP Policy (2020). Activities were designed so that the outputs would have alignment and synergies with other projects or programmes on similar topics in Seychelles; the source of some specific activities are noted.
Download the SMART objective, activities and indicator document here.