Panel seeks approach to monitor marine mammals |20 January 2005

Some 27 species of marine mammals – from the huge blue whale to the Dugong and several different types of dolphins – frequent local waters but to date not much is known about marine mammals in Seychelles, this despite the fact that many are in danger of extinction, explained environment principal secretary Rolph Payet, speaking to open the two-day workshop at the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) headquarters.

The new unit will attempt to gain a better understanding of marine mammals’ biology and behaviour, not only to find ways to limit the impact human activities have on their survival but also to tap into the eco-tourism potential of whale and dolphin watching.

“Seychelles represents a rich zone for the development of different activities related to the monitoring of these animals,” Mr Payet said.

He added that Seychelles played an important role in the creation of the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary in 1979, and has done much since then to protect marine mammals, but that future studies were necessary to ensure their protection.

The workshop panel is made up of a cross-section of the environmental and maritime communities, including the SFA, the Coast Guard, the Seychelles Island Foundation,  the ministries for both environment and tourism and several NGOs like the Marine Conservation Society of Seychelles.

The project is currently being managed by the environment ministry, SCMRT-MPA and the Zoological Society of Paris, a French NGO.

Wednesday’s (January 19) workshop featured presentations from various parties on results from existing surveys and potential policies for ecotourism.

According to assistant conservation officer Pierre-Andre Adam of the ministry’s marine unit, discussions were still in the early stages by the end of yesterday as participants brainstormed ideas and debated what form the new unit should take – such as an NGO, a private foundation or government agency.

Mr Adam said depending on today’s (Thursday January 20) discussions additional workshops may be held to finalise plans for the new body.

Regardless of the unit’s official status, its activities are expected to include boat surveys around the granitic islands and outer islands like Aldabra and the Amirantes, the development of a “stranding network” that would implement procedures for beached marine mammals, as well as the creation of a large database of statistics, survey results and sightings.