Nature Seychelles’ management of Cousin Island Special Reserve earned Cousin the status of being the first carbon neutral island in the world in 2010. With the support of the Royal Society of the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Nature Seychelles’ partner in the UK, Carbon clear was hired to assess the carbon footprint of the Island. International tourists visiting Cousin are responsible for 1,500 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents annually, and the restored forest on the island can only absorb a certain amount of this. It was therefore necessary to offset the bulk of the carbon dioxide through a carbon sequestration project.

(Seychelles News Agency 6 Oct 2014) - The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA) has just released its Annual Report for 2013 which gives major insights on the impact of Seychellois scientist Dr. Nirmal Shah in the continent’s ocean affairs. Special mention is made of Shah who is the immediate former WIOMSA President. For the last four years Shah has been presiding over the WIOMSA Board which is a rare feat for Indian Ocean island nations as in the last two decades of WIOMSA’s existence the association’s presidency was traditionally dominated by Kenyan and Tanzanian nationals.

The Republic of Seychelles with its many small islands and abundantly rich tropical seas makes it an ideal location for seabirds to thrive. They can use the islands to rest and breed whilst food is readily available offshore. To the human eye the islands are bursting with life, seabirds can be viewed easily on several islands and can always be seen flying low across the sea but how well does the current abundance and diversity reflect seabird trends and how things will look in the future?

Nature Seychelles recently took part in one of several activities by Miss Seychelles 2014, Camila Estico in her ‘Back to basics’ project. The reigning queen of this year’s Another World beauty pageant is addressing obesity in Seychelles by encouraging healthier lifestyles and eating habits through her “Beauty with a purpose” initiative.