Eighth Conference of the Parties (COP-8) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)

ENB Reports

The eighth Conference of the Parties (COP-8) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) opened on Sunday afternoon, 20 November 2005, in Nairobi, Kenya. Following a children's music performance, delegates heard opening statements, and attended the CMS Thesis Award ceremony, the presentation of the "Friends of CMS," and the CMS Partnership Fair. COP-8 will convene until 25 November, with the theme "On the Move to 2010."

Plenary elected Patrick Van Klaveren (Monaco) as COP-8 Chair, Rolph Payet (Seychelles) as Chair of the Committee of the Whole (COW) and COP-8 Vice-Chair, and Roberto Schlatter (Chile) as COW Vice-Chair. Latvia, Niger, Peru, Morocco, and Australia were appointed as members of the Credentials Committee.

 

COW

 

Press Conference

During a midday press conference, above, the CMS Secretariat explained the legal and practical implications of Appendix I and II listings, and outlined actions undertaken with a focus on Africa. Wetlands International and Birdlife International stressed the crucial role that CMS can play in the debate on avian influenza, saying CMS should feed ecological knowledge into the FAO- and WHO-dominated discussions.

CMS COP-8 Concludes Successfully

On Friday, 25 November, at the eighth Conference of the Parties (COP-8) to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the Committee of the Whole (COW) convened in the morning to endorse outstanding resolutions and recommendations. Delegates met in plenary to consider the possible listing of the Gorilla on Appendix II, principles for the expansion of agreements, and the 2010 target. The plenary also adopted outstanding resolutions and recommendations, and heard closing statements about the successful outcome of COP-8. Chair Patrick van Klaveren declared the meeting closed at 5.29 pm. Above: CMS Executive Secretary Robert Hepworth gave Vice-Chair Rolph Payet, Seychelles, and Chair van Klaveren bottles of Danzig Goldwasser liqueur from Germany in appreciation for their work.

MENR receives royal invite

Seychelles Nation - 28.05.2005 (www.nation.sc ) 

Environment and Natural Resources Minister Ronny Jumeau and Environment Principal Secretary Rolph Payet leave Seychelles on Saturday to take part in a scientific meeting on global warning organised by the King of Sweden.

Both Minister Jumeau and Mr Payet received personal invitations from King Carl XVI Gustaf to deliver separate presentations to his Seventh Royal Colloquium in Sweden from May 30 to June 1, 2005.

The Royal Colloquia are a series of international environmental symposiums of a select – no more than 25 – number of political, scientific and academic personalities which are held regularly by the King. They deal with environmental issues of significance to the well being of ecosystems and the lives of the millions of people all over the world who depend on them.

This year’s Royal Colloquia will look at the melting of the polar ice by global warning under the theme: “Artic under Stress: A Thawing Tundra.”

Minister Jumeau’s presentation, entitled “Arctic Stress – Tropics in Distress,” will look at the effect the melting of the Arctic has on small island developing states. Mr Payet will address the colloquium on Biodiversity at the Frontline: Links between the Artic and tropical biodiversity.

“Mr Payet and I have been invited to drive home the message that the melting of the polar ice is of serious concern to not only the countries  and peoples of the Artic, but to all mankind as far as us here in Seychelles,” said Minister Jumeau.

“It will, for example, accelerate sea level rise and thus the flooding and submergence of even small islands in the tropics,” he said.

The minister described the invitations from the King of Sweden as “a rare honour” for Seychelles as it will be the only developing and small island state represented among the 20 participants.
The colloquia are usually held in the King’s palace, but will this year take place on board an icebreaker as it travels down the Gulf of Bothnia from Sweden’s northernmost port of Lulea to Stockholm.

Most of the other participants come from Canada, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States, all of which form part of the Arctic region.

Participants come from science academies and scientific institutes and publications, universities, environmental foundations and governments.

Coral Reefs a Global Concern

Iran Daily May 12 2005

Marine biologists launched an appeal for more funds to monitor and protect the world’s imperiled coral reefs, warning that rampant damage to the undersea
ecosystems poses a global threat, AFP reported.
“The threat to coral reefs is therefore no longer just an island problem but a world concern,“ Seychelles Environment Minister Ronny Jumeau said.
With about 20 percent of the earth’s reefs damaged beyond repair, 24 percent under imminent threat and 26 percent facing long-term threats, Jumeau said the international community had to do more to ensure their protection.
“The developed world should commit more funds to coral reef monitoring programs and to the management of protected areas,“ he said.
“If we allow our coral to die especially in the face of sea level rise, thousands of islands across the globe will disappear, along with whole countries, innumerable communities, entire cultures,“ Jumeau said.
According to reports, reefs have been damaged in the waters of 93 nations.
In parts of the Indian Ocean, where the Seychelles Islands are located, researchers fear that reefs could disappear from vast swathes of sea beds in the next 20 years.
Although such damage has immediate effects on small islands, it can also endanger food security in larger nations.
“Many species of fish depend on coral reefs for their food or protection and the collapse of the reefs would lead to elevated costs of fish worldwide,“ said International Coral Reef Initiative chief Rolph Payet.
ICRI is a private sector-government partnership set up in 1995 to address coral reef conservation and management and to reduce the destruction of coral reefs as well as other related ecosystems.

10TH ANNIVERSARY ICRI MEETING HELD IN THE SEYCHELLES

From: Reefcheck, April 2005

The 10th anniversary meeting of the International Coral Reef Initiative was held from April 25–27, 2005 in Mahé, The Seychelles. The meeting was co-chaired by Rolph Payet of the Seychelles and John Roberts of the United Kingdom. Seventy-five participants, including three new members, attended the meeting. RC Executive Director, Gregor Hodgson, represented Reef Check. The meeting produced a number of decisions, including one to have GCRMN do a post-tsunami follow-up to their Status of Coral Reefs of the World report. A draft resolution on reef rehabilitation was also proposed (see below). To view a summary of the meeting, click here.

ICRI Meeting Proposes Resolution on Artificial Reef Restoration and Rehabilitation
One of the outcomes of the ICRI meeting was a draft resolution on reef restoration. Various commercial and non-commercial organizations have proposed a range of ‘engineering’ techniques as reef reconstruction or rehabilitation techniques, including:
- A mechanism using wire frames through which electricity is passed to accrete calcium carbonate and accelerate the growth of transplanted corals;
- Installation of artificial reefs, including concrete structures; and
- Mechanisms for re-cementing and re-gluing corals and other organisms to the substratum.

These techniques have recently been brought to the forefront due to reef damage from the 2004 tsunami. The following is an excerpt from the proposal, click here to read the full resolution that was adopted by ICRI this month:

"The proponents of this Resolution, the ICRI Operational Units, CORDIO, GCRMN, ICRAN and Reef Check, while acknowledging that some innovative and new approaches to coral reef conservation and management may have limited applications, are concerned that there have been insufficient peer-reviewed, long-term scientific studies of reef rehabilitation using these and other techniques and that there have been few cost-benefit analyses to assess effectiveness of the methods over natural recovery processes. The available evidence suggests that some of these techniques may be useful in specialized cases, but have limited or no application and value for large-scale coral reef rehabilitation. In addition to effectiveness considerations, construction of any engineered structure on a coral reef must be evaluated against any potential environmental damage caused during construction or later degradation."

Seychelles tenure ends on high but cautious note

Seychelles Nation - 30.04.2005

Seychelles came out shining when delegates attending the ICRI conference recently reviewed the country's recent achievements and its efforts to preserve the endangered coral reefs.

The Minister for Environment and Natural Resources Ronny Jumeau outlined some of the country’s successes as he opened the third International Coral Initiative (ICRI) at the Plantation Club and Resort on Monday April 25.

However, he only did so after stating the global threats that the demise of coral reefs poses to the world, and also named the challenges ahead and how Seychelles is planning to overcome them.

Key among the achievements were those realised during the last two years, when UK and Seychelles have been co-chairs of the world conservation body.

In words similar to those used by other delegates and guests, Minister Jumeau rightly said that drawing world attention to the situation of coral reefs during the Mauritius International Meeting of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) held in January this year was a landmark goal achieved.

"Those of you who could not be there to see how we managed to get United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to champion the cause of coral reefs in a small island setting missed a truly historic occasion for ICRI.

"You should have seen the faces of the hosts of other organisations and causes vying, unsuccessfully I might add, for Mr Annan's presence and a spot on his extremely heavy schedule," Mr Jumeau said.

He was referring to the side coral reef event that President James Michel of Seychelles hosted at the Mauritius SIDS meeting and gave its successful organisation as proof of how well the two co-chairs have worked together and complemented each other to realise the "huge success."

He hinted at some of the reasons why no country should sit on its laurels and referred to the status of coral reefs of the World Report for 2004, the foreword of which was co-written by President Michel and President Tommy Remengesau of Palau, the other SIDS which has taken over the co-chair of ICRI with Japan.

The minister said that according to the report, the prognosis for the coral reefs is very dire indeed, and gave the current world situation, with words that are still being echoed in news headlines around the world, which we published in the Tuesday edition of Seychelles Nation.

Minister Jumeau said Seychelles is not sitting back and waiting for its largesse.
"We have done a lot of work on coral reefs under the ICRI umbrella these past 10 years, and especially since the devastating 1998 El Nino.
"The December 2004 tsunami has only stiffened our resolve," he said, and gave the following developments:

. Seychelles is about to launch a national coral reef task force which will supercede the existing national coral reef monitoring network, and enable more proactive coordination of coral reef protection and rehabilitation on the various islands.

. The Seychelles Centre for Marine Research and Technology and Marine Parks Authority (SCMRT-MPA) and a number of non-governmental organisations are increasingly active in coral reef work, and promoting public awareness.

. The country has numerous educational materials being used in schools, where environmental education of all types is part of the curricula.

. Seychelles has strengthened planning and development laws to reduce sedimentation and other impacts on coral reefs. The protection of coastal habitats has become even more of a priority in Seychelles town and country planning authority and a nationwide concern among the population following the devastating effect of the December 26 tsunami.

. Seychelles has launched an environmental enforcement network and training programme involving government, including the Seychelles People's Defence Forces, the private sector, non-governmental organisations.
It will soon be formalised through a memorandum of understanding between all partners, with the aim of ensuring that poaching and other damaging impacts on the country's reefs and marine reserves van be minimised.

Minister Jumeau said that as ICRI celebrates its 10th anniversary, this country hopes to achieve effective  management and sustainable use of coral reefs.

"We also hope to raise global and local awareness even more in this dire hour of the coral reefs and increase political and financial commitment to marine conservation and management in partnership with one another," he said.

He said this is the only way to ensure a sustainable future for all, especially those countries and communities that are heavily dependent on coral reefs and related coastal eco-systems for their survival.

On his own behalf, that of his ministry and the Government of Seychelles, thanked co-chairs Rolph Payet and John Robert for the commendable work they did during their tenure.

Delegates at the ceremony were treated to songs sung by school children which stressed on the dire need to conserve the remaining corals.

The children had participated in a song competition in the primary category of which the Independent School team of two, Analise Bonnelame and Amanda Michel, came first, as the Beau Vallon School team won the top prize in the secondary category.

Seychelles, UK hand over ICRI chair to Palau, Japan

Seychelles Nation - 27.04.2005

The coral reef protection torch has been handed over to Palau and Japan, as the two-year lead role played by Seychelles and the UK comes to an end.

The chair of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) was relinquished on Monday evening at a Seychelles–UK co-hosted reception at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Botanical Gardens headquarters.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the ICRI leadership traditionally goes to one developed state and one developing, a tradition maintained with Japan and Pacific island Palau taking over from the UK and Seychelles.

In a speech marking the hand over British High Commissioner, Diana Skingle, highlighted the role of teamwork in successful reef conservation.

"Partnership is what ICRI is all about. Partnership between like minded countries, partnership between concerned professionals and partnership between today's young people."

High on the list of achievements of the two-year Seychelles–UK mandate has been the meeting held at January's Mauritius Small Island Developing States (Sids) summit, attended by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"ICRI has established a sense of an international coral reef community, providing a voice for coral reefs in international discussions," said the High Commissioner, pointing to the Sids summit as the fruition of this work.

Environment principal secretary Rolf Payet, who co-chaired the ICRI on behalf of Seychelles along with UK’s John Robert, also raised the Sids meet as one of the highlights over the last two years.

"Together we have demonstrated how governments can proactively work with NGOs and produce visible and tangible results," said PS Payet, before he and Mr Robert presented representatives of Palau and Japan with coco de mer nuts, symbolising the hand over of the ICRI leadership.

ICRI was started in a meeting in the Philippines in 1995 in order to provide a focus on the plight of reefs and on the actions necessary to save them.

The organisation brings together governments, NGOs and other stakeholders to address coral reef conservation and management with the aim of reducing coral reef destruction.

Since its inception ICRI has convened biannual or annual general meetings; undertaken international and national workshops and produced publications to raise awareness and mobilise governments and stakeholders to take action to reverse the degradation of coral reefs.

Coral Reef Damage Could Have Global Impact

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/30524/story.htm

Date: 26-Apr-05
Country: SEYCHELLES
Author: George Thande

A fifth of the world's reefs have been damaged beyond repair, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) said.

Another 50 percent are under imminent or long-term threat because of rising sea levels most scientists blame on global warming, the group said.

"The reefs help to feed millions of people in the developed world," the group's co-chairman Rolph Payet told reporters at the group's annual meeting in the Seychelles.

"Many species of fish depend on coral reefs for their food or protection and the collapse of the reefs would lead to elevated costs of fish worldwide," he said.

Although islands are perceived as the principal victims of coral degradation, Payet said it could affect many other countries worldwide.

"The threat to coral reefs is certainly not just an island problem because reefs, including the largest ones, border continents and large countries alike," said Payet, who is also a top environmental official in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Payet urged industrialised countries "which contribute overwhelmingly to global warming" to commit more money to coral reef monitoring and management programmes.

ICRI has reported coral damage in almost 100 countries around the world, with some parts of the Indian Ocean so badly affected researchers fear large areas could be without any living coral within two decades.

The ICRI meeting of scientists and government officials is expected to produce an assessment of the damage to reefs caused by the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean tsunami.

© Thomson Reuters 2005 All rights reserved

Coral Reef Damage Could Have Global Impact - Experts

By George Thande, Reuters  Apr 25, 2005

VICTORIA - The demise of the world's coral reefs could threaten coastal communities as global fish stocks fall, an international conservation group said on Monday.

A fifth of the world's reefs have been damaged beyond repair, the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) said.

Another 50 percent are under imminent or long-term threat because of rising sea levels most scientists blame on global warming, the group said.

"The reefs help to feed millions of people in the developed world," the group's co-chairman Rolph Payet told reporters at the group's annual meeting in the Seychelles.

"Many species of fish depend on coral reefs for their food or protection and the collapse of the reefs would lead to elevated costs of fish worldwide," he said.

Although islands are perceived as the principal victims of coral degradation, Payet said it could affect many other countries worldwide.

"The threat to coral reefs is certainly not just an island problem because reefs, including the largest ones, border continents and large countries alike," said Payet, who is also a top environmental official in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

Payet urged industrialised countries "which contribute overwhelmingly to global warming" to commit more money to coral reef monitoring and management programmes.

HONOLULU : A school of manini fish pass over a coral reef as a snorkeler swims over at Hanauma Bay Many coral reefs are dying from water pollution (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ICRI has reported coral damage in almost 100 countries around the world, with some parts of the Indian Ocean so badly affected researchers fear large areas could be without any living coral within two decades.

The ICRI meeting of scientists and government officials is expected to produce an assessment of the damage to reefs caused by the Dec. 26 Indian Ocean tsunami.

New Israel ties for marine research

Seychelles Nation - 14.03.2005
A memorandum of understanding signed with Israel last month could pave the way for a number of new developments in marine science in Seychelles.

The agreement has identified several key areas for research cooperation and training exchanges, and could also spur local ventures into aquaculture and aquariums.    

A Seychelles Centre for Marine Research and Technology – Marine Parks Authority (SCMRT-MPA) delegation consisting of chairman Rolph Payet and managing director Mary Stravens signed the memorandum during a five-day official visit to Israel in mid-February.

One proposed study – about the resilience of some coral reefs to higher sea temperatures – is being developed as a research initiative to be conducted in both countries. High sea temperatures killed more than 90 percent of corals in Seychelles during the 1998 bleaching event, but some areas of coral cover were not hit nearly as hard as others, and Mr Payet said it was important to learn what factors lead to such resistant corals.

Seychelles also hopes to latch on to pioneering research coming out of Israel about how carbon dioxide is affecting coral reefs after being absorbed into the sea.

With the study limited to Israel, however, Mr Payet said work could extend to Seychelles to investigate the changes on Seychelles coral reefs in terms of recovery, diversity and the impacts on species as compared to that of the Red Sea. The carbon dioxide effects on coral atolls like Aldabra may also be studied.

In terms of training, local marine park rangers will be able to benefit from the agreement through one-month work attachments to the marine authority in Israel, while Israeli rangers would join the SCMRT-MPA under a similar arrangement.

According to Ms Stravens, the exchanges would be mutually beneficial in that Israeli rangers would be able to learn more about the coral reefs found in Seychelles, while MPA staff would have access to new methods for protection and enforcement of marine protected areas.

The memorandum could also have implications for the private sector.
The development of aquariums in Seychelles could be “an additional experience for both Seychellois and tourists,” Ms Stravens said. The aquarium concept is expected to be based on an exploratory in Eilat, Israel.

Small-scale aquariums could be developed in house by the SCMRT-MPA or other environment units, she said, while the private sector would be encouraged to develop larger versions as a tourist and scientific attraction for non-divers.

The private sector could also be invited to start up an aquaculture industry in Seychelles, with particular interest in a small facility to rear the local delicacy of rabbit fish. Ms Stravens noted that aquaculture could also be a safety valve for commercially important fish in Seychelles, such as kordonier.

She pointed out that since kordonier depend largely on the reefs, aquaculture could provide an alternative source of the species in the event of additional coral bleaching and the death of the reefs. 
The memorandum has been arranged through an Israeli institute which groups nearly 10 universities. Mr Payet noted that a similar agreement had been forged with an institute in India, which allowed more flexibility in tapping into different schools’ areas of expertise. He added that another agreement with Newcastle in the UK is currently being discussed.

Beach parks likely in regional project

Seychelles Nation - 03.03.2005
The designation of public beach “parks” in Seychelles could be one possibility under a regional project catering for sustainable tourism along coastlines.

Environment and tourism officials, together with other stakeholders, met to discuss that idea and the potential for other proposals at the International Conference Centre on Tuesday March 1 in a half-day forum organised for the project.

Funded by the Global Environment Facility, the initiative was approved in 2004 to address the negative impacts of tourism on the coastal and marine environment of Sub Saharan Africa in line with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad). Senegal, Gambia, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania are participating in addition to Seychelles.

Frauke Dogley of the ministry for tourism said a national status report on coastal tourism will be submitted to the project’s secretariat following suggestions and submissions from Tuesday’s forum.

Status reports from all the countries would then be presented at a regional workshop, after which certain pilot projects will be facilitated to promote sustainable tourism policies.

“We hope that pilot sites in Seychelles will be selected to get funding,” said Ms Dogley.

The concept of public beach parks is one such pilot project, and has been outlined tentatively as part of a local eco-tourism plan at Anse Royale. Though still at the “brainstorming” phase, the proposed parks could include toilet facilities, barbecue grills and recreational activities designed for public use.

Anse Royale would likely be the first site chosen, but depending on its success more beaches could follow.
Environment officials hope the beach park idea could be a way to solve waste and litter problems at popular beaches while at the same time generating community-based activities toward eco-tourism.

According to Ms Dogley, the beach parks would also be beneficial since most of the suitable beaches for tourism establishments have already been developed or are in the planning stage – and in more recent cases with up-market hotels.

Environment principal secretary Rolph Payet, speaking to officially open the forum, said coastal tourism in Seychelles was “full of twists and turns,” in which the need to give tourists the best possible experience had to be balanced with preserving a fragile coastal environment.

He commented that it was a “constantly uphill battle to convince developers of the need to maintain the integrity of such a dynamic environment,” noting with irony how many developers attempt to take advantage of Seychelles’ beautiful beaches, but do so recklessly.

“Why do they spend a lifetime trying to destroy it, and then break the bank trying to restore it?” he asked.

The regional Nepad project, Mr Payet added, would hopefully continue to foster public-private partnerships in sustainable coastal tourism management and empower local communities through the implementation of the pilot projects.

Beach erosion, disaster plan top priorities in tsunami aftermath

Seychelles Nation - 17.02.2005
Tackling the problems of beach erosion and establishing an early warning system and disaster management plan should be Seychelles’ main environmental priorities following the December 26 tsunami, scientists have said.

A team from the United Nations Environment Programme (Unep), in Seychelles to study the environmental impacts of the disaster, highlighted problematic erosion at Anse Kerlan on Praslin and 25 other hotspots of beach erosion around Seychelles that were worsened by the tidal waves.

The Unep team, led by biodiversity specialist Mark Collins, studied the effects of the tsunami on coral reefs, beaches and other aspects of the environment during the past week. The mission was drawn up after discussions between Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Ronny Jumeau and Unep director Klaus Toepfer at last month’s small islands meeting in Mauritius.

Presenting the preliminary findings recently to a panel of environment officials including the minister, Mr Collins said that in addition to some coastlines needing to be stabilised, increased capacity within some of the country’s scientific bodies would be required to improve monitoring and put in place an early warning system.

The Unep team also confirmed that reefs in Seychelles had been affected, this on top of the 1998 bleaching event that had killed most of the corals in the first place.

Mr Collins stressed the importance of “integrated management across all ecosystems,” saying that activities in mountains, forests and wetlands could eventually be felt on the coasts and even on the reefs.

December’s tsunami, he added, also showed the importance of beach vegetation and reefs in absorbing the impact of rising waters. This is especially important in places like Anse Kerlan, where beachside properties and homes have been at risk, Mr Collins said.

Unep estimates the initial stabilisation of Anse Kerlan, as well as setting up the early warning system and capacity building programmes for staff, would amount to some R23,100,000. Another 20-40 million Euros might be needed to stabilise the remaining 25 erosion hotspots, but Mr Collins said an alternative but much more patient route would be “to let nature take its course.”

He did say, however, that proposals for assistance from Seychelles, given that its current environmental capacity was ahead of many countries, would most likely be well received by Unep and the international scientific community.

After the presentation, environment principal secretary Rolph Payet indicated that the ministry would be working with Unep and potential funding bodies like the Indian Ocean Commission and the Global Environment Facility to help implement the plan.

Bilateral talks are also being held for more assistance, as both the Netherlands and Australia have expressed interest in future environment initiatives in Seychelles.

The erosion problems at Anse Kerlan are expected to be a priority, but despite public pressure for a quick fix Mr Payet said that the ministry would be looking for a long-term solution with overseas assistance.

“We need to get it right,” he said, adding that some temporary measures may worsen the situation in the long run.

An early warning system, which Unep said should involve tidal gauge stations and sea buoys, is also in the cards along with measures to strengthen the Seychelles Centre for Marine Research and Technology – Marine Parks Authority and the National Meteorological Services.

Mr Payet suggested that Seychelles would not wait for a regional early warning system to be put in place before developing its own, although the country would gladly participate in any such system as soon as it is established. “We’re not waiting for anyone. We can’t bank on any one's initiative.”

Another recommendation from the Unep team – raising awareness about some of the issues brought up by the tsunami, like clearing coastal vegetation and the importance of wetlands – would also be emphasised by the ministry this year, he added.

Seychelles celebrates World Wetland Day February 2005

From Ramsar Website: February 2nd 2005.

Introduction:

To celebrate this year's theme of "There is wealth in Wetland Diversity, Don't lose it" the Wetland Unit of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) decided to sponsor various activities for schoolchildren.

The highlight was a 'hike' to one of the high altitude wetland sites on the main island of Mahe. Similar 'field trips' were organised for the schoolchildren on the Islands of Praslin and La Digue on the same day. The respective wetland teams with the aid of the Environment focal points on the islands, conducted field trips to wetland areas with the school children.

Objective:

As our school children are the future environment managers, it was felt that a guided tour to the wetland site would be a most appropriate way to sensitise and educate the students on the theme of this year's wetland day, in other words to experience first hand the "wealth of our wetlands". The 56 students who participated were from various secondary schools on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue islands.

Proceedings:

The Director General of Policy Planning and Services Division (PPS), Mr Francis Bijoux, officially marked the World Wetland Day with an opening ceremony in the morning of the 2nd February, in the presence of the Principal Secretary (PS) of Environment, Mr Rolph Payet.

Participants assemblage at the PPS Head Quarters.

Mr Bijoux highlighted the importance of protecting our wetlands, in order to safeguard the "wealth" of the biodiversity, knowledge and resources that it provides. He made special mention to our recent accession to the convention and how it will be in force by March 25th of this year. This development will greatly help in our aim to conserve and better manage the wetlands, including the role they play and important functions they provide.

The Ministry of Education and Youth, through the Education and Information Section of the Environment Department assisted the Wetland Unit in coordinating the event with the responsible persons at the Secondary Schools. Each school was invited to send 2 students.

All Wetland Unit staff (on the three islands) participated in the activities, with Mr France Sophola (Wetland Supervisor) and Dr. Pugazhendhi Murugaiyan (Senior Wetland Officer) coordinating the day's event.

Other staff from the Policy Planning and Services Division (PPS) also participated in the 'hike' to Mare Cochon; including staff from the Coastal Zone Unit, International Conventions Unit, Forestry and Conservation Sections, were able to offer advice and encouragement along the way. Two qualified rangers from the Forestry office of the Morne Seychellois National Park; Mr. Roy Youpa, and Mr. Terence Valentine guided the 'hiking party'.

Mr Roy Youpa, Ranger (first left) with students of the 'hiking party'

The media were also present at the opening ceremony and from invitation; Mr Nick Watson, a journalist from the Seychelles Nation (national newspaper) also participated in the 'hike'.

Activities on Mahe;

Getting started for the Mare Cochon Hike:

The Mare Cochon wetland is found in the Morne Seychellois National Park situated approximately 350m above seal level. The 'hike' was approximately 2hours along a trail that is maintained by the Forestry division of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

Mr France Sophola, Wetland Officer (first left hand corner) giving a brief talk on the safety rules and regulations to the students, before taking the hired bus to the start of the hike

Along the way:

The 'hiking party' of around 34 people was split into two groups, each headed by a guide.
Complimentary bottles of water were handed out to the students, with an activity booklet, which the students were asked to complete during the hike. Along the way the students were shown out the different types of flora and fauna, with emphasis on the 'endemics' of our islands. The students were able to 'tick off' most of these species in the activity booklet.

At Mare Aux Cochons:

Pristine view of the Mare Aux Cochons freshwater marsh at 350m high uphill

The Mare Aux Cochons Wetlands features a walkway through the marsh area towards a 'kiosk' (wooden station) where students rested. At this location Dr Murugaiyan (Senior Project officer) gave a small presentation on the roles of wetlands in our ecosystem, and stressed the importance of protecting and conserving them.

He explained how the Mare Aux Cochon, one of the three high altitudes wetlands of the Seychelles, was 'special' in that it is the only wetland to be found within a Protected Area; the Morne Seychellois National Park. Consequently the several endemic and indigenous species of plants and animals found there are always protected. It is therefore very important that other wetland areas are also protected in order to have the same 'wealth'; richness of biodiversity and a respected natural resource.

It was also explained how the Mare Aux Cochon wetland area is the main supply of freshwater, with streams running from the site towards one of the main rivers on the island. The water also reaches the Port Glaud - Port Launay wetland area, which as mentioned before, is the first International RAMSAR Wetland site for the Seychelles.

At the site, students were in for a surprise when a small quiz competition was organised to test their newly acquired knowledge on wetland plants and animals, and winners were distributed with prizes.

Activities on Praslin and La Digue:

This year, the Wetland Day Activities were also celebrated simultaneously with the islands of Praslin and La Digue. The respective wetland teams, with their team leaders and the assistance of the Environmental focal points, conducted field trips to main wetland areas with various school children on the two islands. Maintenance and 'clean up' activities of the wetland outlets were carried out with the students to demonstrate how it is done.

Handouts detailing the importance of wetlands conservation and management were distributed to them.

Media coverage of the World Wetland Day Activities:

As part of the celebration for the Wetland Day, quizzes and crossword puzzle competitions were organised. The competitions features the theme of wetland conservation were published in the Seychelles Nation (local newspaper) and aired on the AM radio. Winners of the different competitions were awarded with their prizes.

Conclusion:

All participants at the Mare Aux Cochons wetland site.

The activities for the commemoration of World Wetland Day were a great success given that this year's events were limited in number and size (in comparison to previous years) due to the recent events in the South-Eastern area. However, the students actively engaged in the day's events. They expressed interest and appreciation of the Wetland areas. As a result, it has been concluded that more sensitisation trips on wetlands, especially with school children is necessary. The wetland Unit has noted that more of such activities must be organised during the year and included in future work plans.

Acknowledgement:

The Wetland Unit of the Policy Planning and Services Division would like to thank the staff at;

Policy Planning and Services Division;
National Parks & Nature Conservancy;
Forestry Section;
Education and Information section;

Would also like to thank the:

Ministry of Education and Youth,
Seychelles Nation
Seychelles Broadcasting Cooperation

Our sponsors are:

AirTel (Telecommunication)
Mr. Francis Esparon (Contractor)
Mr. Andy Ah-Kon (Contractor)
Mr. Laporte - (Contractor)

"There's wealth in wetland diversity
- don't lose it!"

After tsunami, Seychelles develops disaster alert system

afrol News, 19 January 2005

The tsunami hitting Seychelles on 26 December was the first major disaster in the island nation since 1868. While only one life was lost, the tsunami caused large material damages and new disaster awareness in Seychelles. The islands state, which has now seen its debts frozen, will now develop an up-to-date disaster alert system.

According to the Seychellois government, the country is now working on the development of a national disaster warning system by which the authorities would advise residents on the possibility of a disaster striking. The principal secretary for Environment, Rolph Payet, said this on Tuesday during an interview.
The alert system "will entail thorough education of the public to understand how such a system works and probably use colour coding as in some countries to indicate severity of the potential danger and what specific evasive action people should take," the government explained.
Mr Payet said such a system would take an estimated two years to put in place and may be another five to ensure people understand it well. "We are developing such a system, which is not easy because it will require baseline data and information," he said.
The government representative added that the system in use in Mauritius is mainly for cyclones, which do not occur in Seychelles, but the island of Réunion has a more elaborate system that covers flooding. "We are in discussion with Réunion, which already has a warning system which progressively uses different colours to develop ours," he said.
Mr Payet said that Seychelles would also not want to rely merely on word of mouth, for example passed on by telephone from neighbouring countries because such a system could also raise false alarm. He recalled that even a few days after the 26 December tsunami, false warning followed saying that similar occurrences were imminent causing people to panic.
He noted Seychelles has not had any major disaster since 1868 with lesser ones occurring about seven years ago. Excessive rains in August 1997 caused heavy floods on the archipelago. A study by the UN's Disaster Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) later that year revealed that Seychelles had little experience in handling disasters, and had not developed any comprehensive disaster management structure, legislation or plan.
Seychelles President James Michel on Thursday last week had called improved disaster preparedness. "This unprecedented calamity in our region has taught us, in the most compelling terms, that there is an urgent need for an early warning system in the Indian Ocean region, similar to that which exists in the Pacific," President Michel said.
The Seychellois President further said there was a need for the a special disaster fund in Seychelles to help long-term recovery in view of the widespread damage to infrastructure, public utilities and private property. "Many people have lost their homes and livelihood in Seychelles," President Michel said.
According to the Seychellois government, the tsunami had caused damages worth more than US$ 30 million to the archipelago. "This may seem small compared to the damage inflicted to our neighbours, but it is nonetheless considerable for a small economy like ours," President Michel noted. He called for aid from the international community to set up a relief fund.
Seychelles last week received the first substantial international aid needed for reconstruction by a freezing of the country's debts by the so-called Paris Club of creditor nations. "The suspension takes effect immediately," Paris Club President Jean-Pierre Jouyet told a news conference after talks in Paris on Wednesday. The Seychelles owes some five million dollars in debt payments this year.