A documentary video on Seychelles’ outer islands produced within the framework of the National Geographic’s ‘Pristine Seas’ programme has been launched.

This took place yesterday morning at the Seychelles Trading Company’s (STC) conference hall in the presence of the Minister for Finance, Trade and the Blue Economy Jean-Paul Adam; principal secretary for environment Alain Decommarmond; principal secretary for fisheries and agriculture Michel Nalletamby, among other guests.

The ‘Pristine Seas’ programme was filmed in the outer islands (Aldabra, Astove, Assumption and Cosmoledo) to explore the rather unknown marine environment around the islands and to produce a documentary to highlight this unique region.

The leader of the one-month expedition which took place in March this year was Paul Rose, who has been working in Seychelles waters since 1999.

Mr Rose is one of the most experienced science divers, field science and polar experts. In his work for BBC, he presents television programmes focused on science and the environment.

Mr Rose was the Base Commander of Rothera Research Station in Antartica for the British Antartic Survey for ten years and was awarded HM Queen’s Polar Medal. For his work with NASA and the Mars Lander project on Mt Erebus, Antarctica, he was also rewarded the US Polar medal. A mountain in Antarctica is named after him.

“Seychelles waters are pristine, and absolutely beautiful. We discover in Aldabra which is protected that it is less frequently visited, that the habitat is still intact, with the coral reef. We’ve got sharks that are on the top of the food chain, but unfortunately that is not the case on the other islands. The bio-mass which represents the number of fish in Aldabra is ten times what is was in the northern islands,” he said.

He added that by protecting the ocean we can actually help it recover and become completely pristine, and that Seychelles waters are some of the most pristine on the planet.

The objectives of this research expedition are to quantify the biodiversity of the near shore marine environment of the remote and nearly untouched islands of the Aldabra and Cosmeledo groups, as well as explore and describe the deep sea and pelagic realms surrounding these islands, in order to support marine spatial planning of the Seychelles archipelago.

Minister Adam stated that this unique study was to explore the unknown in Seychelles waters.

“The results from this work will provide valuable information in an area that is virtually unknown scientifically but is potentially pristine and harbours high global biodiversity value. We have a duty to the world to understand this and protect it for the future. We are after all custodians of the ocean,” he stated.

The Nature Conservancy is acting to mobilise a US $80 million debt-swap for the government of Seychelles in exchange for their commitment to enhance marine conservation and climate adaptation commitments. The effort will also establish a permanent endowment that generates sustainable financing for Seychelles marine conservation efforts.

Forrás: www.nation.sc