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Despite its modest landmass of just 457 square km, Seychelles’ ocean spans 1.37m square km—a territory equivalent to half the land area of Argentina. The abundant ocean not only defines the national identity but also serves as the bedrock of its economy, which rests on the twin pillars of tourism and fisheries.
While historically tourism has been the main source of income for Seychelles contributing 31% of GDP and accounting for 41% of exports, the country is banking on the sustainable development of its fisheries to mitigate tourism-related vulnerability to external shocks—a hard lesson learned from the covid-19 pandemic. But, like many island states, Seychelles faces a dilemma: how can it harness the economic potential of fisheries without depleting its natural resources? And the answer lies in a strategic investment in biodiversity.
A not so direct connection
The link between fisheries and biodiversity may seem straightforward—after all, a diverse ecosystem typically supports a greater abundance of fish. However, the intricacies run deep. For example, target species are often predators (tuna, for example, a key Seychelles’ export, is an apex predator) and removing them from the ecosystem can have a cascading effect throughout the food web, leading to imbalances in predator-prey relationships and changes in ecosystem equilibrium.
Conversely, the decline in the genetic diversity of fish not only jeopardizes population health but also hinders its resilience to stressors, such as increasing sea temperatures driven by climate change and events like El Niño. Environmental degradation, particularly the loss of critical habitats such as coral reefs and mangroves, further diminishes the productivity of fisheries by disrupting vital feeding and breeding grounds.
The Third South-West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Project (SWIOFish3)
Recognising the symbiotic relationship between biodiversity and human activities, the government of Seychelles (GoS) has placed biodiversity at the forefront of its approach to transforming fisheries into a sustainable economic sector. In partnership with the World Bank and in consultation with local stakeholders, the Blue Economy Department of the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy embarked on a six-year project in 2018—the Third South-West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Project (SWIOFish3), which looks at fisheries through a systemic lens. The project brings together research, policy, governance, marine conservation, innovative climate finance and community engagement as essential components for a sustainable fisheries transition and as tools to protect Seychelles’ unique ecosystems.
SWIOFish3 was instrumental in the implementation of Seychelles' Marine Spatial Plan (SMSP). In 2014 the country launched a bold national ocean governance programme that established marine-protected areas (MPAs) in high and medium biodiversity zones, including a vast expanse of deep ocean with rich pelagic ecosystems. The SMSP was a success, and in 2020 the GoS officially designated more than 410,000 square km of the ocean as MPAs, a territory larger than Norway. This expansive network of protected areas now covers 89% of shelf waters, 80% of all beaches, 92% of mangroves, 90% of coral reefs, 78% of granitic reefs and 85% of seagrasses.
SWIOFish3 provided support for the development of management plans and policies, capacity-building, and research and data collection to inform SMSP decision-making.
Community-driven conservation
Seychelles’ commitment to safeguarding its natural capital goes beyond government programmes and includes community action, too. In 2018, under SWIOFish3, the GoS issued the world’s first sovereign Blue Bond raising $15m. Of the proceeds, $12m went to the Development Bank of Seychelles to offer low-cost loans to local businesses. The remaining $3m was channeled to the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT) to offer grants for community-led initiatives that support healthier and more resilient ocean ecosystems.
A SeyCCAT grant, for instance, financed an aerial study of the Seychelles’ population of dugongs, rare and vulnerable mammals related to manatees. Using drones, the research team observed at least 19 animals, including calves, without disturbing them. Insights from this study helped inform conservation decisions in the Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO heritage site.
Aerial image of a dugong family in the Aldabra Atoll. Credit: @SIF_Seychelles
Other Blue Bond grants supported projects including coral-reef and mangrove restoration, sharks and marine birds monitoring and tagging, and a voluntary rotating fisheries closure by a local co-operative to allow replenishment of fish stocks. SeyCCAT aims to distribute a total of $3m to the community.
These are just a few examples of the comprehensive approach deployed by the GoS but they illustrate its awareness of the interdependent relationship between biodiversity and sustainable fisheries. By creating a vast network of effectively managed MPAs where wildlife can thrive, the country is ensuring that its fish populations remain healthy. This approach not only helps the environment but also supports the economy, making sure that fishing can continue to be a source of wealth for the nation today and for generations of Seychellois to come.
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