National Assembly |12 October 2023

Members vote to ratify convention on the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships

During yesterday’s session, the National Assembly’s members voted unanimously to ratify the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, which was adopted in 2001 and came into force in 2008.

It was the only motion that was tabled and debated during the half-day session.

Presented by the elected member for Grand Anse Mahé, Waven William, the convention refers to the anti-fouling paints used to coat the underwater surfaces of ships to prevent sea life such as algae and molluscs attaching themselves to the hull, thereby slowing down the ship and increasing fuel consumption.

Mr William said that chemicals from these anti-fouling system sip into the sea, affecting the marine life by contaminating species, which are in return consumed by humans.

“It should be noted that scientific studies by various government and competent authorities, worldwide have discovered that some anti-fouling system used on vessels may be toxic and pose other risks to the ecology and marine life with economic value, as well as be dangerous to humans who consume those marine resources,” he stated.

The eight members who spoke on the convention echoed Mr William’s call on the need to ratify it to protect the environment and people’s health. However, despite supporting the convention, the members questioned its monitoring and implementation, and countries’ engagement to ensure that it was adhered to.

In his right of reply, Mr William thanked the members for their input, which he said was an eye-opener and would sensitise the general public.

He also stressed on the need for the agencies which are presenting those conventions to the National Assembly to submit a plan of action, so the house could monitor their implementation once the ratification has been done. He urged those representing Seychelles in international forum to lobby for support from big countries which are the main polluters of the oceans, so they could provide technical and financial support to small countries, in order to carry out surveillance of the maritime environment.

Patsy Canaya