Seychelles Roundup: $217m EU deal, Emirates partnership, aquaculture development

Aquaculture policy

Seychelles has launched its second National Aquaculture Policy for 2023-2027 to support a sustainable aquaculture industry that contributes to food security and economic growth. As reported by Seychelles News Agency, the policy aims to attract investment in species such as seaweeds, sea cucumbers, and fin fish and addresses challenges related to licensing and non-indigenous species. The European Union has provided technical support for the development of the policy and the aquaculture industry in Seychelles.

Emirates partnership renewed

Tourism Seychelles and Emirates airline have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing tourism cooperation by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai. This renewed dedication was formalized in a ceremony attended by high-profile figures. The MoU was signed by Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial–West Asia & Indian Ocean, and Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary of the Seychelles Tourism Department. Among the notable attendees were Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Sylvestre Radegonde and Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management, Nabil Sultan, as reported by Travel and Tour World.

Seychelles and EU sign $217 million deal

Seychelles and the European Union signed a €2 million ($217 million) technical cooperation agreement called EnSEL, which is a Technical Cooperation Facility provided by the EU to contribute towards eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development. The grant will be used for projects in areas such as environment, resilience, climate change, and governance as reported by Seychelles News Agency. The EU delegation will manage the projects in partnership with Seychelles to make the process more efficient.

Botswana and Seychelles sign MoU

Botswana's High Commissioner to Seychelles, Chandapiwa Nteta, expressed that both countries will collaborate on agriculture, education, and tourism projects. The two countries also discussed trade, investments, and connectivity, as well as sharing experiences in dealing with substance abuse and agricultural success. According to Seychelles News Agency, the new high commissioner also expressed Botswana's need for support from the international community due to import restrictions on Russian diamonds impacting their diamond trade.

New baby coral study revealed

A recent study in Seychelles found that baby corals can help damaged reefs recover. The study mapped coral reef connectivity across the archipelago and found that despite the remote location of many islands, ocean currents shuttle larvae across the area, supporting connectivity. The findings suggest that local conservation efforts have the potential to benefit coral reef health both within Seychelles and along the East African coast, as reported by The Conversation. The research will contribute to the effective management of coral reefs, including the development and maintenance of marine protected areas. It is also suggested that interventions on land, such as removing rats, can help improve coral health and resilience.