The Seychelles is an archipelago of more than 115 islands, with only four inhabited by the country’s population. The rest are either conservation sites or hotels with public access available. Amid the vast blue expanses of this Indian Ocean nation, Parley Seychelles works to clean up, educate and inspire in locations ranging from La Digue and Félicité to the capital on Mahé.
“As an island nation whose territory
is more than 99% ocean, we care deeply
about protecting this vast, blue treasure.”
Alvania Lawen – Parley Seychelles
FROM ISLAND TO ISLAND
To date, Parley Seychelles has carried out over 50 cleanups on various islands, covering over 500,000 square meters of beach, coastline and reef. Nearly 800 volunteers have joined these events on islands ranging from smaller ones like Petite Soeur and Isle Thérèse to more built up islands like La Digue and Félicité.
”It’s no secret that the Seychelles’ islands are paradise,” explains country coordinator Alvania Lawen. “They were once thought to hold the Garden of Eden and even grow mythical underwater coconut trees. National Geographic awarded us the title for most pristine seas, but not all is perfect. We too fight against the disease that is marine debris and the scourge of microplastic.”
A Visit from Dr. Sylvia Earle
In early 2020, Parley Seychelles welcomed oceanographer, explorer and Parley collaborator Dr. Sylvia Earle for a special beach cleanup on Valentine’s Day – with 30 volunteers showing up to show their love for the oceans. Altogether, the team cleaned up 212kg of debris, of which 113 was plastic. Our thanks go out to Sylvia, the BBC, SeyCCAT, Seychelles Dive Federation School and Nesi.
“The cleanup was on Ile Longue,” explains Parley Seychelles coordinator Alvania Lawen, “and we were blessed to have Dr. Earle join us as part of a documentary for the BBC. Our oceans are 95% undiscovered so we absolutely cannot be the ones who destroy the unknown.”
EDUCATION
Beyond intercepting plastic and other waste, each event is a chance to educate and inspire. Parley Seychelles involves youth in both the planning and execution of cleanup missions, and has collaborated with the National Youth Assembly, the Seychelles Department of Environmental Education and the Ministry of Education to inspire the youth of Seychelles to take action and help protect their blue ocean home.
SUPPORT OUR WORK IN SEYCHELLES
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Thank You to ALL our Collaborators IN SEYCHELLES
Seychelles Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Climate Change
Seychelles Department of Environmental Education
Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT)
NESI Catamaran
The Ocean Project Seychelles
Zico Boat Charters
Island Conservation Society
Hilton Labriz Silhouette
State schools of Seychelles – Ministry of Education
Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation
Land Waste Management Agency – Praslin department
National Youth Assembly
Bikini Bottom Seychelles
Seychelles People's Defence Force
Whitetip Divers
Octopus Diving Center
Special thanks to John Berlouis, Priya Didon, Nikita Rennie and Kurt Pouponneau
PARLEY SEYCHELLES 🇸🇨
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The Parley Global Cleanup Network works to protect marine environments from plastic pollution and other threats. Through collaborative cleanups with local businesses and organizations, our teams intercept plastic waste from beaches, remote islands, rivers, mangroves and coastal communities. With cleanups in 30 countries so far and counting, the Network also works on local education, awareness campaigns and government engagement to drive change.
Each country team shares our vision for healthier oceans globally, and works locally to champion the Parley AIR Strategy in their nation. As of 2022, Parley has engaged over 720,000 volunteers globally, conducted more than 21,000 cleanup and education events and intercepted 1.1 million kg of plastic.