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.
