Sustainable beekeeping practices becoming more essential for life |15 June 2018

If we do not protect bees, half the population of the world will be gone in just a few years.On May 20 this year saw the very first commemoration of ‘World Bee Day’ after the United Nations (UN) Member States approved Slovenia’s proposal for such.

The observance is part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of bees and beekeeping, especially since they have become increasingly endangered.

Beekeeping (apiculture) is the practice of managing honeybee colonies to attain desired objectives; the most common primary objectives are to ensure large, healthy adult honeybee populations to coincide with major nectar flows; and to use these strong honeybee colonies to best execute the beekeeping management plan to:

-          Maximise the collection of nectar (i.e. to maximise honey production); and/or

-          Provide pollination services for local food crops.

Amongst many other important things, bees are one of the major pollinators, thus ensuring food and food security, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity. They also contribute to mitigation of climate change and environmental conservation.

Coincidentally, over the course of this week, Seychelles welcomed an expert mission from Reunion who have been involved in various activities to help the country in its planning for prevention of the Varroa destructor (Varroa mites).

Varroa destructors are tiny red-brown external parasites of honey bees which mainly feed and reproduce on larvae and pupae in the developing brood, causing malformation and weakening of honey bees, as well as transmitting numerous viruses.

Heavy infestations can ultimately lead to a reduction in the honey bee population, supersedure of queen bees, and eventual colony breakdown and death.

Photo source: Beeaware

Arthur Toule-Thilathier, a registered local beekeeper at Anse Etoile, says that he appreciates the visit from the expert mission, as well as the efforts that have been made to dedicate a day to the bees, saying that bees bring great value for the world’s population by pollinating fruit/vegetation which we use to stay alive.

According to Mr Toule-Thilathier, who has been in this profession for 40 years, it is unfortunate that our country is not protecting our bees as necessary, and that many people are unaware of the importance of bees.

He adds that if we do not raise awareness about bees and their habitats, and if we do not make more effort to protect them, half the population of the world will be gone in just a few years.

Mr Toule-Thilathier reminds us to learn about and appreciate the self-sufficiency of bees and their habitats, saying that their hives have everything that a state/colony could possibly need, and that these are actually more hygienic than an operation room.

He explains that bees have a lifecycle of only 1 – 20 days and during this time, they work like slaves, travelling 7km every day to search for food. “If we could work like bees at least 70% of the time, the world would not have any problems,” asserts Mr Toule-Thilathier.

Ironically, the travel involved in their search for food shortens their lives, hence why the closer they are to their food source, the better.

In his own attempt to create and maintain sustainable beekeeping practices, Mr Toule-Thilathier says he dedicates time to creating more awareness about bees, their benefits to the world’s population, and the issues that threaten their existence.

Photo credit: The Creative Studio - Seychelles

He adds however, that there are many challenges to implementing and maintaining sustainable beekeeping practices, citing that there is a lack of beekeeping material, e.g. eco-friendly products, and equipment available for purchase in Seychelles. He points out that it is sad that not a single outlet specialises in such equipment locally.

Through a seminar which he attended in Reunion, Mr Toule-Thilathier learnt that, to date, Seychelles, Australia and the Comoros Islands could be the only countries in the world which do not have the Varroa destructor.

According to the local beekeeper, “this is a disaster; if the mite enters the country, it will only be six months before we stop having any honey in the country”.

To better protect the bees, their habitats and our future, Mr Toule-Thilathier feels that our population should be better educated about all aspects relating to bees, and that farmers should be encouraged to manage a few beehives on their farms.

“Production on the farms would increase as a result of pollination. It is only vanilla that cannot be pollinated, but we need to spread the word that there is money to be made in beekeeping, we need to help other beekeepers and share our knowledge”.

References: Beeaware; World Bee Day; Honeybee Centre