Successful wetland clean-up at Baie Ternay and Port Launay marine parks |08 February 2023

The Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority, in collaboration with the GOS-GEFUNDP Ridge to Reef Project, successfully conducted a mangrove/ wetland clean-up last Saturday to mark World Wetlands Day celebrated annually on February 2.

During the three-hour clean-up, materials collected included plastic and glass bottles, cans, food wrappings, tyres to name a few. All waste materials collected where then transported to the landfill for proper disposal.

Baie Ternay and Port Launay marine parks are well frequented areas and in close proximity to the local community. This automatically brings threats of pollution and littering.

The group also raised awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet. This activity fell in line with a component under the GEF-UNDP Project, ‘A Ridge to Reef Approach, for the Integrated Management of Marine, Coastal and Terrestrial Ecosystems in the Seychelles’ (R2R Project): Coastal Freshwater Ecosystem Management – Port Launay Marine National Park Mangrove clean up (removal of solid waste).

The partners include Ephelia Resort, LEAP, Port Glaud district management, National Council for the Children, and the Ministry for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment. This year’s theme adopted by the United Nations is ‘It’s time for wetlands restoration’, highlighting the urgent need to prioritise wetland restoration.

According to the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA), the activity was also aimed at bringing added education and awareness to the community and partners, in an effort to affirm and strengthen engagement and effective management of the wetland ecosystems.

The Baie Ternay and Port Launay marine parks offer unique access to an array of biodiversity, appreciated by tourists and locals alike. From mangrove areas, to pristine seascapes, sea grass beds and coral reefs.

We all have a responsibility to keep our environment clean and mangroves are important to people because they help stabilise the coastline ecosystem and prevent erosion. Mangroves provide natural infrastructure and protection to nearby populated areas by preventing erosion and absorbing storm surge impacts during extreme weather events such as hurricanes.

They are also important to the ecosystem too. Their dense roots help bind and build soils. Their above-ground roots slow down water flows and encourage sediment deposits that reduce coastal erosion.

Vidya Gappy

Photos contributed by SPGA