Follow us on:

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Archive -Environment

SNPA continues to support Earth Watch Expedition in the Curieuse Marine National Park |23 April 2018

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth and are known to support a variety of marine species including different types of fish.  

In Seychelles particularly, they provide a vast amount of goods and services to the community such as fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection.

However, our coral reefs are increasingly threatened by various factors namely: changing weather patterns, rise in ocean temperatures and increasing ocean acidity.

The Earth Watch Seychelles Expedition is conducting its 12th year of coral reef monitoring in the ecologically diverse and unique Marine National Park of Curieuse and 7th year of socio-economic research study on local Seychellois communities of Praslin, Mahé and La Digue.

The Earth Watch programme is funded by Mitsubishi Corporation, an international integrated business enterprise that develops and operates businesses across practically every industry including industrial finance, energy and daily living essentials.

The Coral Reef Research programme is led by Professor David Smith, a senior lecturer in marine biology from the University of Essex.

The programme, which was established in 2006, maps all the major coral reef habitats within the Curieuse National Marine Park, assessing their biological richness and uniqueness and annually carrying out surveys at key monitoring stations and conducting aquarium experiments.

Currently, the research focuses on determining which environmental conditions most drive reef degradation, which factors affect coral reef resilience and tolerance to thermal stress, which species will face the most negative effects and how changes in habitat quality may impact ecosystem biodiversity.

Most importantly, the expedition is facilitated by the Seychelles National Parks Authority and this year, two SNPA staff is part of the expedition. Nathachia Pierre is an Assistant Research Officer joining the coral reef research programme and Forest Ranger Ronny Gabriel is part of the socio-economic research team.

The two SNPA staff join a group of other early careers researchers from England, Kenya, and Poland respectively for the duration of the programme.

The participants including the two SNPA staff benefit with introductory lectures looking at coral reefs and the effects of climate change and subsequently participate in the survey and data collection technique training and activities.

The coral research team undertakes laboratory-based data analysis and aquarium experiment workshops while engaging with a diverse team of scientists.

Furthermore, the two SNPA staff also benefit from this rare training opportunity by gaining a more in-depth understanding and knowledge about coral reef habitats, species and the effects of climate change.

Moreover, they are contributing to a highly relevant, innovative and exciting long-term conservation research project.

In addition, Nathachia is seizing this opportunity to enhance her dive skills and experience through developing research specific dive techniques from a world-renowned marine biologist. This opportunity also benefits the participant by connecting them with an international team of volunteers where they can engage in dynamic group discussions and exchanges.

 


 Coral communities team going on a diving and snorkelling survey

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

» Back to Archive