A  study by seabird researchers that includes Dr. Nirmal Shah of Nature Seychelles, has shown that albatrosses and their close relatives the large petrels spend 39% of their time in places where no single country has jurisdiction. Albatrosses and large petrels are the world’s most threatened group of birds, with over half of the species at risk of extinction. This finding highlights the need for international cooperation to adequately ensure their conservation.

Marine litter – human-created waste accidentally or deliberately dumped into the ocean – is a massive problem. Now, with new knowledge emerging about the impacts of plastics on environmental and human health, marine litter has jumped up on the global environmental agenda.  “In my opinion, small island states such as Seychelles are again, as with climate change, victims because much of the waste comes from other countries and from ships flagged to other nations,” says Dr. Nirmal Shah, Nature Seychelles’ CEO.

After a long hiatus and what she considers a stranding on land, Athina, our water-loving Reef Rescuer was back in the embracing depths of the ocean as part of monitoring activities for the Cousin Island Special Reserve marine protected area (MPA). As today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we highlight the work Athina is doing to inspire the next generation.

The UN has declared 2021-2030 as the decade of ecosystems restoration aimed at preventing, halting, and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide. Nature Seychelles has been at the forefront of wetland restoration and can proudly say, yes, we can restore wetlands and mangroves ecosystems.