Stakeholders raise awareness on toxic chemicals from sunscreens affecting marine ecosystem |23 March 2023

PS Francis addressing the gathering

Toxic chemicals from sunscreens and cosmetics and the harm they cause to the marine environment worldwide was the topic of discussion at a symposium held on Monday at the Trader Vic's restaurant, STORY Seychelles, Bel Ombre.

The discussion between the Tourism department, environmentalists, scientists and actors in the tourism industry, including foreign experts in the manufacturing of the above products, was organised by STORY Seychelles and People4Ocean (BluePlanet Trading LTD), a sunscreen manufacturing industry based in Australia, with assistance from Tourism Seychelles.

The discussion on the chemical composition of products, the problems with products' misleading labels that claim they are ocean safe, and the damage they cause to marine life all over the world, including in Seychelles, was to help raise the awareness of locals and visitors in choosing safer, non-toxic sunscreens and cosmetics alternatives as a good first step towards preserving the ecosystem.

While it has been said that sunscreen is critical for preventing sunburns, skin cancer and other issues, some of its ingredients, similar to certain chemicals in some cosmetics and hair products, have been found to be non-beneficial to ocean-dwelling creatures, such as corals.

These chemicals enter the oceans when washed off people’s skin or through sewage waters and directly affect the lagoon ecosystems and coral reefs, the home of marine species which humans depend on for their livelihood.

It has been found also that some of the chemicals in the sunscreen and cosmetics also affect human health.

In her opening remarks, the principal secretary for Tourism, Sherin Francis, said it was important to address the matter, given Seychelles is forward-thinking, and is not only known as one of the region's sustainability pioneers, but also goes above and beyond to make sustainability a way of life to preserve the country’s beauty.

She noted that while Seychelles continues to promote itself as one of the world's most exotic destinations and invite visitors to discover the islands, “we must also remember that our business can have significant negative impacts on our natural treasures by putting additional strain on our fragile ecosystems and contributing to rising carbon emissions”.

“With an exclusive economic zone of 1.4 million square kilometres, it has never been more important to develop a responsible tourism offering with the mission of protecting local nature and wildlife while also promoting community and grassroots initiatives that ensure economic and social benefit for all,” said PS Francis, who thanked all the partners who are helping to spread the word about ocean conservation by promoting the use of non-toxic ocean safe sunscreens and cosmetics.

Her opening remarks was followed by presentations from various local and foreign stakeholders on protecting the ocean and applying natural sunscreen available that are not toxic to marine life and human health.

Speaking to the press, the director-general for Destination Marketing, Bernadette Willemin, said amid joining the global effort to safeguard the existence of the planet for generations to come, on the local side Seychelles has to continue to practice sustainable tourism through preserving the country’s ecosystem, which is the main source of income.

She added that sensitising the locals and visitors alike on the use of friendly sunscreens and cosmetic products will help protect the marine resources for generations to come.

Mrs Willemin added that apart from foreign manufactured sunscreens and cosmetics available on the market, also on sale are some local eco-friendly body products, including sunscreens, produced from local raw materials from locally-based company Belliche.

“If we do not preserve our natural beauty and its ecosystem, we will be left with nothing to sell to our visitors,” said Mrs Willemin, who noted that banning such toxic sunscreen and cosmetic products might be a discussion for the future.

Simon Abbott from Absolute magazine and representing People4Ocean, whose non-toxic sunscreen products are available in many hotels and in some shops around the country, said 90 to 95% of sunscreens being sold in the world are actually killing corals and damaging marine life, including the human health, with the chemical present in them.

He added this presented them with the opportunity to spread the message on the use of non-toxic sunscreen, and the People4Ocean brands, through their contacts in Europe and in the Indian Ocean, including here, through the hotels and the Tourism department.

“We are not just looking of pushing the brands we are involved in. If people want to buy any other safe products that is our goal. We are happy about that,” said Mr Abbott who commended the sunscreen products made by local company Belliche. 

During one of the presentations, namely by Louise Laing, marine biologist and co-founder of People4Ocean, who was speaking online, stated it is estimated that between 4,000 to 14,000 tonnes of toxic sunscreen wash onto the coral reef globally every single year and in Seychelles, around 10,700 litres wash onto the reefs around the country.

Apart from using non-toxic sunscreens, people are also being encouraged to wear protective clothing, including hats and sunnies and to choose the best period to venture onto the reefs and beaches, as among other protective measures against the heat from the sun (UV).

Text & photos by Patrick Joubert