Coastal development and ecosystem modelling as a tool to enable improved local and national policy and decision-making processes

Objectives

The main objective of the project is to "Strengthen the technical and scientific basis of, and empower local community involvement in, coastal management decision making‐processes".

The project has 2 clear immediate objectives:

1. Develop and mainstream a set of technical tools to enable informed coastal management decision‐making; and

2. Empower local community involvement and influence on coastal management decision-making.

Background

This project has been developed within the policy context of both the principle environmental policy document of Seychelles and the MFF National Strategy and Action Plan.

This project seeks to establish a baseline and context for the development, assessment and approval of coastal development in local communities. Coastal development in Seychelles takes place across a full spectrum of scenarios from relatively untouched and unpopulated areas with high

biodiversity interest and environmental service value to densely populated and highly developed areas. This project will divide the Seychelles coastal development continuum into logical categories as defined by their biotic, physical and socioeconomic characteristics. This categorisation will provide a context and parameters within which specific development proposals can be reviewed and enabe an objective assessment of the likely impacts of any specific development or activity.

Target beneficiaries

Communities and local government agencies of the four project sites (Beau Vallon Baie, Mahe; Anse Intendance, Mahe; North Island; Denis Island).

Outputs

The intended outputs are embodied in the project's expected results:

• Pilot project sites surveyed for biotic, physical and socioeconomic characteristics. 
• Environmental and Socioeconomic baselines and parameters established. 
• Coastal assessment toolkits/manuals for technicians and coastal managers developed. 
• Public education materials developed. 
• Stakeholders are utilising toolkits and materials in coastal management processes.
• National public media outlets and other communication format have effectively covered the project and furthered its objective.

The two core outputs of the project are the coastal assessment toolkits and the public education packs on the coastal management cycle.