The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Seychelles

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

SEYCHELLES

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for Seychelles on 22 March 2005. Seychelles presently has 1 site designated as a Wetland of International Importance, with a surface area of 121 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Port Launay Coastal Wetlands. 22/11/04; Port Glaud District; 121 ha.; 04°39'S 055°24'E. One of the best mangrove wetlands on Mahé, the main island, supporting all seven species of mangrove in the region. The coastal area provides ideal habitat for spawning, nursery, feeding and cover for fish, and the Seychelles endemic Goujon (Pachypanchax playfairii) and the freshwater fish Macanbale (Ophiocara porocephala) are present in the streams. The mangroves along the coast help to stabilize the shoreline, and the upland parts of the site, granitic areas with high drainage, play an important role in the local hydrology. The habitat provided by the site is believed to be important for the little-known Seychelles sheath-tailed bat, Coleura seychellensis, known from only four active cave-roosts, one of which occurs in the local area, and for the endemic Seychelles flying fox (Pteropus seychellensis), both critically endangered species. The feeder rivers running into the wetland have several endemic crayfish. Fishermen use the site for octopus collection, while tourism is a very important income-generating activity, with a five-star hotel planned for the surrounds. The site is already used for educational activities for schoolchildren, especially around World Wetlands Day, and there are plans for expanded ecotourism, with a boardwalk through the mangrove system in order to demonstrate a wide range of natural processes.The WWF Global Freshwater Programme, WWF Madagascar, and Switzerland through the Ramsar Swiss Grant for Africa have been instrumental in helping Seychelles to prepare for accession and to compile the necessary data for this and other potential Ramsar sites. Ramsar site no. 1432. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 17 December 2004, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.