Marine Spatial Planning in Seychelles: Integrating Conservation, Community, and Sustainable Development

For Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the ocean is both lifeblood and legacy– a source of sustenance, culture, and identity. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands whose waters teem with coral reefs, diverse fisheries, and critical habitats for endangered species. Here, the challenge is not only to conserve these ecosystems but to do so while fostering sustainable economic development. Marine spatial planning (MSP) has emerged as a strategic instrument to meet this dual imperative, offering Seychelles an integrated framework to harmonize ecological protection, social priorities, and economic objectives.

The nation’s unique geography presents both opportunities and complexities. Its expansive Exclusive Economic Zone connects terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems in ways that amplify ecological richness and vulnerability.  Pressures from overfishing, coastal erosion, and climate change demand careful stewardship, yet the livelihoods, traditions, and cultural identity of local communities are inseparable from these same waters. MSP provides a structured platform to navigate these intersecting demands, allowing Seychelles to protect biodiversity, manage competing maritime uses, and ensure that the benefits of ocean management are shared equitably.

At the heart of Seychelles’ MSP approach is leadership that transcends bureaucratic boundaries. While government ministries provide strategic direction, effective governance relies on active engagement with local communities, indigenous representatives, and NGOs. In practice, this involves co-leadership arrangements and participatory decision-making processes that embed local knowledge and cultural values into planning, fostering trust and collaboration across diverse stakeholders. By convening actors from multiple sectors and ensuring inclusivity, Seychelles has strengthened both the legitimacy and effectiveness of its ocean governance framework.

Institutional design further underpins these efforts. Clear mandates, inter-agency coordination, and the creation of professional communities of practice allow Seychelles to integrate previously fragmented sectoral strategies into a cohesive marine planning framework. Embedding MSP within national legislation provides procedural legitimacy, while innovative financing mechanisms, such as debt-for-nature swaps, ensure sustainable funding that extends beyond the constraints of donor cycles. Together, these measures equip Seychelles with the capacity for adaptive management, enabling long-term planning that supports both conservation and a resilient blue economy.

Equally critical is the cultivation of social capital. Seychelles has prioritized meaningful stakeholder engagement through participatory mapping, citizen science, and structured consultation. By combining indigenous and local knowledge with scientific data, the nation fosters stewardship, builds trust, and ensures that MSP outcomes are ecologically sound, socially equitable, and economically viable.

The Seychelles experience illustrates the transformation potential of MSP for SIDS. Beyond its technical function, MSP serves as a platform for innovation, collaboration, and adaptive governance. By strategically linking leadership, institutional frameworks, and inclusive participation, Seychelles demonstrates how small island nations can protect cultural and ecological heritage, while setting a global standard for integrated, forward-looking ocean management.

Marine spatial planning and ocean governance in Small Island Developing States