Pioneering regional project to create locally managed marine areas (LMMAs) launched in Seychelles

Story by Liz Mwambui, Nature Seychelles

The Seychelles component of the €4.25 million regional project (which also include activities in Mozambique, Kenya and Tanznia) was launched on 17th September 2019, by Nature Seychelles in a ceremony at its Centre for Environment and Education located in Mahe Island, Seychelles’ most populated island and seat of the Government of the Republic of Seychelles. 

The project is funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). Implementation of the initiative will be coordinated by IUCN, in partnership with Nature Seychelles in Seychelles, AMA in Mozambique and CORDIO for some regional activities as well as some activities in Kenya and Tanzania.

Speaking at the launch of the project in Seychelles, the German Ambassador to Seychelles, Her Excellency Mrs. Annett Günther said: “Since 2008, IKI has been financing climate and biodiversity projects in developing and newly industrializing countries, as well as in countries in transition. I am pleased to be in the country to launch the project which is the first in Seychelles to be funded by IKI.”

Nature Seychelles

German Ambassador to Seychelles, Her Excellency Mrs. Annett Günther

Ambassador Gunther congratulated Nature Seychelles, an IUCN Member in Seychelles, for being the implementing partner of this exciting and ground breaking initiative in the country. She also appreciated the Seychelles government, notably the Ministry for Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC) and the Blue Economy Department, for supporting the project.

The chief guest at the launch, Mr.Wallace Cosgrow, Seychelles Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change has said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for Seychelles, there's space in the environment sector for us to collaborate. The partnership between Seychelles, the German Government, IUCN and Nature Seychelles is perfect for this project."  

The time is right

Although present elsewhere in the region, including in Madagascar, Kenya and Tanzania, and globally in large countries such as Australia, the LMMA model is new to Seychelles.  

"Governments and the private sector have begun to appreciate that for resources to benefit people, for growth to be inclusive, it has to be participatory. The project will be looking at the critical components of creating an LMMA," said IUCN Regional Programme Coordinator Mr. Charles Oluchina who gave a brief overview of the regional project at the launch. 

Nature Seychelles

Dr Nirmal Shah Nature Seychelles Chief Executive  speaks at the launch of the project

The project will last four years with investment in policy-related activities as well as infrastructure, conservation and restoration actions, training and equipment, public awareness programs, and introduction of sustainable funding mechanisms.

"As IUCN we are very excited to partner with our long-time member Nature Seychelles for this pioneering project. As Seychelles and the broader region are embarking on increasingly ambitious and much-needed efforts to protect our oceans, this initiative is a timely opportunity for us to spear-head some of the thinking and the work in how to make local stakeholders become active stewards of our oceans, participate in local management efforts and also become more resilient in the face of climate change. I think if we are successful, we'll be able to share our own lessons and inspire others in the region and in the world," concluded IUCN’s Regional Technical Coordinator for Coastal and Ocean Resilience, Thomas Sberna.