Victoria:Conservationists in Seychelles are urging for stricter enforcement and accountability within the fishing industry following a study that links marine debris on the Aldabra Atoll to fishing activities in Seychelles' waters. The study suggests that much of the debris is likely from foreign fleets operating under agreements with the European Union and other countries.
According to Seychelles News Agency, the findings revealed that a significant portion of the debris originates from within Seychelles' Exclusive Economic Zone, challenging previous assumptions that it primarily came from distant regions. This revelation has prompted calls for Seychelles to enhance its measures to prevent marine pollution at the source.
Foreign purse-seine fleets from countries like Spain, France, Mauritius, and others contribute to the industrial fishing in Seychelles, utilizing drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) that often end up as debris. The Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Islands Foundation, Dr. Frauke Dogley, emphasized the need for Seychelles to take action against marine waste, questioning why the burden of cleanup falls on local organizations and citizens.
Dogley and Dr. Nirmal Jivan Shah, CEO of Nature Seychelles, highlighted existing international regulations and agreements that necessitate the retrieval of non-operational FADs and impose environmental fees on fishing operators. They stressed the importance of enforcing these rules and revising Seychelles' Drifting Fish Aggregating Device Management Plan to address pollution effectively.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford and other institutions, utilized computer modeling to trace the sources of marine debris. It found that 50% to 66% of fishing debris was discarded within Seychelles' waters. The environmental impact of this debris is particularly severe on Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique ecosystems.
Efforts to clean up the atoll have been ongoing, but the scale and cost of such operations are significant. SIF has conducted major cleanup projects, but challenges remain due to the island's isolation and the extent of accumulated waste. Further research is being conducted by Seychellois PhD student Alvania Lawen to understand the full ecological impact of marine pollution in the region.