IN THIS ISSUE

Banyan Tree Anse Intendance project

Clean-up dive

Cetacean Sightings

Diary of an MCSS volunteer

Integrated Marine Protected Areas System Plan

NOTICE BOARD

Whale Shark Sightings in 2003

MCSS  Clean-up Dive

	Dive volunteers. Photo D.Rowat

 As part  of the Clean-Up the World Activities, the Marine Conservation Society in collaboration with the Underwater Centre organised a Clean-Up Dive  on the 27th September 2003. 

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Cetacean sightings around the inner Islands

Despite being located within the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary, very little research has been carried out on whales within Seychelles waters. From surveys conducted in the past we know that there are 41 species of cetaceans occurring in the Indian Ocean, 25 of which have been recorded as occurring in the Seychelles waters. The main species that are commonly sighted include bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, humpback whales, sperm whales and the false killer whale.

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Diary of an MCSS volunteer

Volunteering for the Marine Conservation Society of Seychelles was a great experience for me; both in terms of what I learned and the satisfaction of contributing to the conservation of the marine resources of the Seychelles, most specifically the whale shark. I might also add that it was great fun as well.

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Integrated Marine Protected Area System Plan

The Integrarated Marine Protected Area System Plan (IMPASP) plays a key role in identifying priority areas and mechanisms to ensure the adequate protection of Seychelles’ coastal environments in the years ahead. The plan will be designed as a macro-level planning tool and guide for the sustainable long-term management of these areas by Government and Non-Government bodies as well as stakeholders and the general public.

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Strategic management of turtle populations ~ Update

This project funded by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office was launched in June and is aimed at developing a strategic approach to turtle management in Seychelles. The first stakeholder workshop was held on 14th of August, to develop a memorandum of understanding agreeing how information can be gathered and utilised in a common database.

  His Excellency the British High Commissioner, Mr Fraser Wilson, opened the workshop with a short introduction to the project ....

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Dugongs on Aldabra

Dugong in Aldabra. Photo C. Pavard

Dugongs were once common around the islands of Seychelles but since their habitation by man these herbivorous sea mammals have disappeared from around this  area. The now regular though infrequent sighting reports of Dugong from the Aldabra Atoll, a World Heritage Site, are thus both interesting and important as they might indicate that these shy creatures are beginning to return. ....

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Volunteering with MCSS

Although MCSS is only a small organization it has always been founded on a core of hard working volunteers from many different sections of the community in Seychelles. Over the last 18 months we have however seen a number of overseas volunteers assisting in our activities and their hard work and dedication deserves as special mention in our pages....

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Friends of the Whale Shark

Just some of the 'Friends' this season!. Photo D.Rowat

October proved to be ‘Whale Shark Month’ for North and West Mahe as the sharks started to appear around the Northwest area in reasonable numbers. This proved not only an ideal time to monitor and tag the sharks but also a much needed opportunity to increase their public profile by getting members of the public in the water to see these magnificent animals.

 Although the monitoring trips were not advertised MCSS was soon in-undated with people wishing to support the programme and participate in monitoring activities. ....

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Whale Shark Project ~ 2003

A great year for monitoring whale sharks .Photo U. Engelhardt

2003 has been an interesting year for the whale shark monitoring programme partly due to the improved reporting of sightings from the Whale Shark Monitoring Network partners and partly to the extended aerial survey coverage period. Micro-light pilot, Johan Anderson managed to complete a total of 116 flights totaling 202hrs 21 minutes of survey time during which 765 whale shark sightings were recorded with a maximum of 36 separate sharks being recorded on a single flight.

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