Lives in: Victoria, Seychelles
Seychelles has unveiled one of the largest coral-restoration “super reef” projects in the Indian Ocean, a bold environmental intervention designed to rescue dying reefs, protect fisheries, and strengthen the island nation’s climate resilience.Led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change & Environment in collaboration with global marine-science partners, the project aims to restore over 250 hectares of coral ecosystems across Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue.
A Nation Defending Its Ocean Life
For decades, Seychelles’ reefs have been battered by bleaching events, warming waters, and cyclones. Scientists estimate that nearly 50% of shallow-water corals have been lost.The new super-reef initiative combines coral gardening, heat-resistant breeding, underwater nurseries, and artificial reef modules designed to encourage rapid regeneration.
Environment Minister Flavien Joubert stated:
“We are not waiting for the ocean to recover by itself. Seychelles is actively rebuilding what climate change has destroyed — for our people, our fisheries, and our identity.”
Local Communities at the Heart of the Project
Fishing cooperatives, eco-tourism operators, and youth-volunteer groups will participate in coral planting and ocean-monitoring programmes.Fisherman Jean-Paul Morel from Praslin said:
“Healthy reefs mean healthy fish. If our reefs collapse, we collapse with them. This project gives us hope again.”
Marine NGOs highlight that the initiative could help stabilize fish populations, boost tourism revenue, and create new jobs in conservation and underwater-tourism sectors.
Global Model for Climate Resilience
International climate researchers say the Seychelles super reef could become a benchmark for small island states threatened by rising sea levels and biodiversity collapse.
Marine-climate specialist Dr. Aisha Nyong remarked:
“Seychelles is showing the world that proactive restoration is possible. This could reshape how island nations fight back against climate change.”
Yet experts warn that without continuous funding and strict regulation on fishing and coastal construction, gains could easily be reversed.
