A project to safeguard Seychelles’ underwater cultural heritage is being developed and the culture department is also working on a document in preparation to ratify the 2001 Unesco Convention on the protection of underwater cultural heritage.

The Ministry of Tourism and Culture is receiving expert help from China in the above processes.

A three-man working group from China’s Centre of Underwater Cultural Heritage protection is in the country to work with the department of culture.

On Wednesday last week at the National Cultural Centre, they led a stakeholder workshop.

Seychelles being situated near one of the busiest shipping routes between Africa and the Middle East, it is therefore not surprising that many shipwrecks and their cargoes still lie on our sea beds and these need to be preserved and protected.

During the workshop stakeholders learned of the state of our underwater heritage through different presentations namely by the National Museum and Archives among others.

In her opening remarks to launch the workshop, principal secretary for culture Benjamine Rose said bringing together different stakeholders who have a crucial role to play in safeguarding that aspect of our heritage is important.

“It would help them to better understand the scope of the project being developed and get their inputs in the preparation of the ratification document,” said Ms Rose.

“It is very important to have stakeholders’ input in the development of a comprehensive project to ensure Seychelles’ underwater heritage is safeguarded not only for the specific cultural value they hold but also for the potential commercial benefits for our tourism industry,” she added.

Ms Rose also noted that Seychelles stands to benefit from international help to protect its underwater heritage once it ratifies the Unesco convention.     

Forrrás: www.nation.sc