Media learns about seagrass ecosystems |27 January 2024
The Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT) hosted a half-day workshop for the media on Thursday, to update the industry on new developments with regard to Seagrass Blue Carbon Ecosystems.
The session at the Docklands auditorium was to equip the media with knowledge about blue carbon and most importantly conservation of seaweeds, so they could in return better report about the subject. This was their third and final workshop in a series about seagrass ecosystems.
“We are here to take seagrass conservation to the next level,” said Annike Faure, project manager for SeyCCAT in her opening remarks.
It was an insightful session showcasing different types of seaweeds and mangroves, the benefits they provide to both humans and sea creatures, climate change, and SeyCCAT’s projects that have been in motion for the past four years in order to protect and conserve these flowering plants.
One presentation titled Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan, by Elke Talma of SeyCCAT, focused on the progress made in developing the Seychelles MSP.
SeyCCAT consultant, Vadrine Boulle, made a presentation on the Blue Carbon Ecosystems, the purpose of seagrass, and human’s impact on seaweed and what they can do to conserve seagrass.
Dr Jerome Harlay presented Seagrass and Carbon Mapping Element, on behalf of his sister, Dr Jeanne Mortimer. He shared there were 84 species of seaweed around the world and the 12 species that have already been identified in Seychelles.
The seaweed has now got its own creole name, ‘Zerb Lanmer’ known as ‘gomon’. There are different types of ‘gomon’ namely, ‘gomon zerb gran fey’, ‘gomon zerb torti’, ‘gomon zerb levantay’, ‘gomon spageti’, and ‘lerb lanmer papiyon’.
“I hope that people will call it ‘zerb lanmer’ instead of ‘gomon’,” said Dr Harlay.
There was also a presentation by Marie-France Watson, SeyCCAT consultant, titled ‘The Media – An advocate for Seagrass Blue Carbon Ecosystems’.
Mrs Watson explained how the media could help spread awareness about this topic, its benefit for humans and other living things.
“The media has been a great ally,” said Mrs Watson when expressing her thanks and gratitude to the media outlets for always attending their activities and media briefings.
It should be noted that only three media outlets were present for this workshop.
“We would have liked for all of them to be present. We even invited the youth following the journalism course at the University of Seychelles,” said Mrs Faure.
The accompanying photos show some of the presentations during the workshop.
