Expression of Interest for Preparation Of Management Plans For Sustainable Use Marine Protected Areas

Preparation Of Management Plans For Sustainable Use Marine Protected Areas Third South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance And Shared Growth Project (Swiofish3) The Plan Has Identified Zones For Marine Protection That Meet High And Medium Biodiversity Objectives (15% Of The Eez Each In Each Zone). The Former Zones Are Designated As No-Take Marine Protected Areas (Mpas), Where Extractive Uses Are Prohibited, While The Latter Zones Will Be Designated As Sustainable-Use Mpas Where Economic Use And Extraction Will Be Regulated To Meet Conservation Objectives. In February 2018, The First Phase Of The Process Was Completed With The Creation Of Two New Protected Areas Covering A Total Area Of More Than 15% Of The Ezz, Some 200,000 Km2. In April 2019, Milestone 2 Was Completed With 26% Of The Eez Then Designated As Protected Areas. In March 2020, Milestone 3 Was Achieved And The Goal Of Gazetting 30% Of Seychelles’ Marine Environment For Conservation Or Sustainable-Use Was Met.As Part Of The Msp Process A List Of Allowable Activities (Annex 1) Is Being Developed With The Stakeholders That Will Help Guide The Sectors That Will Operate In The Protected Areas. The Allowable Activities Will Constitute The Initial, Baseline Set Of Management Measures To Be Integrated In Each Mpa Management Plan, And Will Be Transposed Into Legally Enforceable Regulations. As Implied, The Allowable Activities Determine What Economic Or Recreational Activities Can Occur In An Area (E.G. Types Of Fishing Gears), Rather Than Specifying The Levels Of Use (E.G. How Many Fishing Gear Units). Levels Of Use Will Largely Be Determined From Sector-Use Plans, From Which Measures Will Feed Into Protected Area Plans