BGF#3
Type: Large
SeyCCAT strategic objective: 5
Lead Project Partner: Barbara Hoareau
Partners:
Seychelles Fishing Authority
Nature Seychelles
Summary:
Recently, Seychelles’ nation was shocked by the amount of floating waste that was collected on Aldabra by a group of young volunteers. The fact that Seychellois were suddenly and alarmed showed how very little our nation is aware of the impact of pollution and that of climate change and how they are affecting our own country especially our marine ecosystem. With the fact that Seychelles’ archipelago is more ocean than land, and that the ocean is the provider of our staple food and one of the pillars of our economy, now more than ever we need to educate our nation, especially our future generation on the importance and the urgent need to safeguard our ocean, hence our way of living.
We propose a series of visual documentaries and promotional videos that will sensitize and educate the general public as well as foreigners who step on Seychelles’ territory.
These documentaries and promotional videos target to educate locals on our endangered marine species, marine ecosystems and habitats. Through these educational materials we are proposing, they will be informed and positively influenced to become partakers of marine sustainable development. They should, though, these documentaries become more aware of the inevitable dangers that small island states, like our country, face when the humankind disrespect nature.
These programs want to bring light on how as a population and individuals we should take measures, choose the right actions in order to cohabit in harmony with nature. The videos aim to promote investment opportunities in the blue economy, the science and technology that is necessary to promote the sustainable development of Seychelles.
Seychelles is a small population blessed with a very large ocean, we want to create the awareness that this privilege should not take for granted and that we suffer the inevitable consequences of both local and global impacts. We intend to create an understanding of the fragility of our coral beds which provide our staple food and the white beaches for our tourism economy.
In our series of documentaries, we will, therefore, highlight the issues of climate change such as coral bleaching, coastal erosion, the existing marine and coastal protected areas and the work being done by different partners in promoting the safeguarding and rehabilitation of marine and coastal habitats and ecosystems.
One of the objectives is to educate the local fishermen, tourism establishments, Seychellois in general on sustainable fishing and marine waste management. We want to work closely with local fishermen and utilize their knowledge and valuable experiences in their business as part of the education strategy. We also believe that the media has the power to bring change not only to individuals but also to lawmakers and government. We aim that the information that will be disseminated in the programs will serve as a catalyst to influence change.
As well as educating the locals, the aim is to educate foreigners who visit our country on the difficulties that small island states like Seychelles face in regards to the effects of climate change and ocean pollution. The documentaries and short promotional videos aim to highlight these alarming issues, and that they when they both -step on our grounds and leave our country they will do so with a fresh perspective on the frailty of our delicate and beautiful ocean. That they also through all their actions when they are in Seychelles are actions take part in the conservation movement that is already active on our islands.
We intend to partner with tourism organizations and airlines so that the promotional videos will be showcased on flights, the arrival and departure terminals, on the Cat Coco ferry to and from the inner islands.
To note, the role of SeyCCAT and its partners in creating and promoting a sustainable Seychelles in the fishing sector of the blue economy and climate change is of valuable strength for our island nation. Hence, we also aim to showcase and educate on the work of SeyCCAT. This we aim to highlight through the promotional videos and documentaries.
Finally, our programs target Seychelles, and a growing generation that will respect and value the ocean.
SeyCCAT funds: SCR 1, 000, 000
Co-financing: SCR 1,133,528
Duration: 24 months
Project Application Form: Barbara’s Video documentaries and promotional videos Application
Environment and social management Plan:Barbara Hoareau_ESMP_19.03.2020