Monaco Blue Initiative:   |24 March 2023

Seychelles Nation

Minister Ferrari urges stakeholders to rally to increase MPAs

Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy Jean-François Ferrari earlier this week highlighted the urgent need to increase the number of marine protected areas (MPAs), towards achieving the global ambition of 30 percent protection of the global ocean by 2030.

Minister Ferrari made the plea during the 14^th edition of the Monaco Blue Initiative, held at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, as part of the activities during Monaco Ocean week.

MPAs are protected marine spaces where human activities are controlled and managed, to allow the recovery of species and marine ecosystems.

The global target set by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity is to achieve 30 percent protection of the global ocean by 2030. Seychelles has since 2020 achieved a milestone, legally designating one third of its ocean territory covering 41,000 square kilometres, over 30 percent of its waters, as a MPA.

“The protection of 30 percent of the world’s ocean by 2030 remains a real challenge, mainly due to the lack of political will, the lack of financial and human resources, the lack of equipment among others, to supply the areas demanding on law enforcement resources,” Minister Ferrari stated.

Minister Ferrari added he remains optimistic that all nations of the world will begin to understand the importance and benefits of having areas set aside for the preservation and conservation of land and sea life, based on the initial commitments made during the One Planet summit in 2021, where 50 countries pledged to champion the cause of 30 percent for marine protection.

Despite the pledges and efforts to designate such spaces for protection, the challenge remains to manage, monitor and enforce these spaces. The minister highlighted the plight for small island developing states (Sids) like the Seychelles and developing countries, who lack the human capacity, expertise and funding.

“Taking the example of the Seychelles, it is indeed a major challenge and an overwhelming task to study and enforce over 1.3 million kilometres of seascape against IUU fishing, pollution or any other destructive practice,” Minister Ferrari added.

The Seychelles Coast Guard has a limited number of patrol vessels and lacks the resources to enforce the law in remote areas, towards ensuring the management of MPAs, despite the country’s high-income status.

Seychelles also lacks the resources to conduct research and relies on visiting research vessels such as the S.A. Agulhas II vessel which arrived in Port Victoria on October 29, 2022 while on the Indian Ocean expedition. 

A number of young Seychellois scientists had the unique opportunity of getting involved with high standard scientific research around the Aldabra atoll, the Saya de Malha Bank, Mauritius and Reunion.

Minister Ferrari also seized the opportunity to thank Monaco Exploration and His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, for the successful and memorable research expedition in and around “one of the most protected jewels for Seychelles”.

Seychelles is extremely grateful for the experience and expects significant benefits for the management of the Aldabra MPA, the largest MPA in all of the Seychelles, through international scientific cooperation, Minister Ferrari added.

During the event, the preliminary findings of the scientific research were unveiled.

A number of Seychellois scientists who participated in the expedition were also present at the event, including Sheena Talma who shared her experience.

Ms Talma explained how she was part of the team who conducted surveys at different depths from 30 metres, 60 metres, 120 metres and 250 metres, using a Remotely-operated Vehicle (ROV). The team explored seamounts, up to the depth of 700 metres.

Ms Talma pointed out that it was a learning experience, although she acknowledged that there is a lot of work left towards conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

A large amount of information was gathered throughout the expedition, and such information is expected to inform and influence ocean governance in going forward. Such information will be especially crucial to Seychelles and Mauritius who co-manage the Saya de Malha Banks, a Joint Management Area (JMA).

A number of government representatives, non-governmental organisations, private companies, and scientists were in attendance.

Laura Pillay