Vann Swet brings back our litters |16 July 2021

‘What goes around comes around’ is a famous saying which most of us know of.

With Vann Swet(south east trade winds) which has already set in, we must have all noticed an increase in the amount of litter coming infrom the sea and washing up on almost all the beaches around the country. This is the work of nature. But do we contribute to this yearly phenomenon?

Did you know that it is an offence to throw anything in our marine parks and also in the seas surrounding us? Whatever is thrown in the sea comes back to our shores during the Vann Swetperiod and some of us have to pick them up for you.

Seychelles NATION contacted the Seychelles National Parks Authority (SNPA) to get some practical information for our readers.

The marine national parks of Seychelles are managed by the SNPA and all visitors are requested to comply with regulations governing these protected areas.

Prohibited activities

● Fishing, with a baited fish-trap at the ready or in possession of a spear gun, deployed fishing gear (e.g. rods, hand-lines, harpoon, net) explosives, firework, poisonous substances or a similar device within the boundaries of a marine national park.

●Removal or disturbance of any substrate (humus, soil, sand, mud, gravel, rock, etc…).

●The killing, capturing, taking or injuring any marine animals, eggs, nests, spawn or shells.

●The disturbance or destruction of any plants, fruit, or seed.

●Wilful introduction of any plant or animal into the park without authorisation.

●Littering or causing or contributing to the pollution of any part of the beach, or seabed or the sea within the park.

●Possessing any weapon or device designed for, or capable of being used for thecapture, injuring or killing of wildlife (e.g. spear gun, harpoon)

●Possessing explosives, explosive devices or fireworks.

●Defacing any mark, notice, structure or other equipment.

●Anchoring in any manner that disturbs or damages coral.

●Mooring or anchoring in area other than one that is designated for these activities, unless no such areas have been designated or unless anchor does not disturb or damage coral, or unless there is an emergency.

●Using a surfboard, water ski, para-glider or associated water crafts within the park without prior written consent.

●Recklessly using a pleasure boat or other craft, within the park, including excessivespeed or dangerous behaviour or other lack of due care or attention in the operation of a vessel.

●Obstructing park officers exercising their powers of inspection.

• SNPA manages six marine protected areas, which were designated between 1973 and 1997.
• All six marine parksare categorised under International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as class II, which is strictly protected for its ecosystem and recreational activities.
• As an authority the SNPA has the mandate to govern all the marine parks under the Environment Protection Act and Birds Act, National Parks and Nature Conservancy Act, Fishers Act, Protected Area Act and Wild Animals Act.
• Marine national parks constitutea total area of 61.77 km² and are established around the islands of Sainte Anne, Curieuse, Silhouette, Ile Cocos, the bays of Port-Launay and Baie-Ternay.
• Within these sites which have been designated under the Nature and Conservancy Act (Cap 141), all wildlife and nature is strictly protected; no fishing, collection of shells, removal, disturbance or damage of any living or dead flora or fauna is permitted.

Parks management

To ensure regulations are well respected/observed by park users, there are different SNPA personnel such as rangers, assistant park officers (APO), park officers (PO) and park manager who manage and safeguard the marine park areasto ensure people follow the laws that regulate activities within the park area.

The marine parks are monitored on a day-to-day basis which requires shift and weekend work to effectively manage them, to planand organise anti-poaching activities to prevent illegal users from conducting illegal activities.Any breach of the legislation constitutes an offence.

Officers of the SNPA havethe powerwithin the marine park boundaries under the National and Nature Conservancy Act to: search, arrest, seize property and collect unpaid fees where a fee is gazetted.

The SNPA are empowered to enforce other environmental regulations under any Acts which have bearings on the MNP under the National and Nature Conservancy Act.

The highest allowable penalty to offenders is a maximum fine of R2,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.

You will definitely agree that the fines for the offences need to be reviewed. The SNPA confirms that soon the new Seychelles Parks & Garden Authority will be reviewed and ratified.

Compiled by VidyaGappy