Workshop to assist small islands preserve marine environment and harness maritime resources |06 December 2016

An Indian Ocean Regional workshop of the Commonwealth Marine Economies (CME) programme aimed at providing capacity building to Commonwealth small island developing states (Sids) institutions, as well as addressing economic and environmental needs, was held at Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa yesterday.

The programme seeks to ensure lasting legacy of growing self-sufficiency in Commonwealth Sids for their research needs. And the first step to be taken in achieving this is to undertake a technical assessment of the needs of each Commonwealth Sids that will further guide further hydrographic and oceanographic work.

In November 2015, the British prime minister announced a £5.6 million package measures to help small island countries alleviate poverty by presenting their marine environments and harnessing maritime resources that will support the sustainable growth of Sids within the Caribbean, Pacific and Indian Ocean regions.

The CME programme is being delivered on behalf of the United Kingdom government by partnership of world-leading UK government marine expertise:  the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC).

The first workshop took place in Fiji just a few weeks ago; the second one is being held in the Indian Ocean and the third will be in the Caribbean in January 2017. A pilot country was selected in each region and for the Indian Ocean region it was Seychelles.

Representatives from various related organisations and departments like the British high commission in Seychelles; National Oceanography Centre; Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA); Petro Seychelles; the Blue Economy Research Institute; Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Economic Planning; Seychelles Maritime Safety Administration (SMSA), just to name some.

Guest of honour British high commissioner to Seychelles Caron Röhsler said oceans, climate change and economic growth are at the centre of the programme.

“It’s a tangible demonstration of the UK’s commitment to the Sids, perhaps the most vulnerable to maritime risks but also well-placed to benefit from the Blue economy perspective,” said HC Röhsler in her opening statement.

Referring to Seychelles being selected as the pilot country for such a workshop in the Indian Ocean region, Ms Röhsler described it as a recognition of the already well-developed policies and plans that Seychelles has in this area, in large parts thank to the vision of former President James Michel.

She also had recognition for former Minister for Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy Jean-Paul Adam whom she said he and his small dedicated team of that ministry played an important role in developing the Blue economy in Seychelles.

She added as the portfolio has been assigned under the chairmanship of Vice-President Vincent Meriton, is a sign how much the Blue economy is regarded as an important pillar of the future economy of Seychelles.

She also remarked one of the aims of this workshop is to share the works began in Seychelles with specialists from this area and Mauritius and also to regional bodies who have an interest in the Blue economy.

“Building an understanding and collaboration across the Indian Ocean is important. Not least because you share the world’s first joint management area with Mauritius, thanks to the pioneering work done with the Commonwealth Secretariat marine resources team,” she said.

She said she wants this workshop to be a consultation, and a result in ongoing partnership and collaborative work in Seychelles, in particular, but also in other small island states.