Coastal Adaptation in the Coastal Adaptation in the tourism industry of the tourism industry of the

SeychellesSeychelles

Mr. Alain De ComarmondMr. Alain De ComarmondMinistry of Environment and Ministry of Environment and

Natural ResourcesNatural ResourcesRepublic of SeychellesRepublic of Seychelles

• The impact of The impact of climate change on climate change on coastal tourism in coastal tourism in Seychelles is the Seychelles is the focus of this SIS90 focus of this SIS90 research project. research project.

• Tourism is the mainstay of many Tourism is the mainstay of many small islands statessmall islands states

• A key factor in determining the A key factor in determining the sustainability of any adaptation sustainability of any adaptation measuremeasure

• Climate change is to have a Climate change is to have a significant impact on the significant impact on the performance of that sectorperformance of that sector

• There is a need There is a need therefore to:therefore to:

• 1) Determine 1) Determine ImpactsImpacts

• 2) Possible 2) Possible adaptation adaptation approaches with approaches with emphasis on emphasis on stakeholder stakeholder involvementinvolvement

• Two study sites, Two study sites, two islands ( Mahe two islands ( Mahe & Praslin islands)& Praslin islands)

• Coastal and Beach Coastal and Beach Vulnerability Vulnerability AssessmentAssessment

Beau Vallon beach (Mahe Beau Vallon beach (Mahe Island)Island)

Beau Vallon beach conti.Beau Vallon beach conti.

Anse Volbert (Anse Volbert ( Praslin Praslin Island)Island)

Research activitiesResearch activities

• Historical review of coastal adaptation Historical review of coastal adaptation in the tourism industry of Seychellesin the tourism industry of Seychelles

• Literature reviewLiterature review

• National screening of adaptation National screening of adaptation attemptsattempts

• Study sites characterisationStudy sites characterisation

• Stakeholder consultationStakeholder consultation

Progress so far…..Progress so far…..

• Over the last six months, the work on Over the last six months, the work on the stakeholder analysis was the stakeholder analysis was completed, as well as collection of completed, as well as collection of data and identification of key data data and identification of key data gaps. One of the key data gaps was gaps. One of the key data gaps was the lack of data on beach dynamics. the lack of data on beach dynamics.

• Consequently a small grant proposal was put together to Consequently a small grant proposal was put together to UNESCO to fund ten sets of beach monitoring equipment to UNESCO to fund ten sets of beach monitoring equipment to launch the national beach monitoring programme in launch the national beach monitoring programme in collaboration with hotels in Seychelles. collaboration with hotels in Seychelles.

• The national programme was launched in the 2003, The national programme was launched in the 2003, followed by a stakeholders training workshop where various followed by a stakeholders training workshop where various presentations were made on the dynamics of coastal areas, presentations were made on the dynamics of coastal areas, causing of coastal erosion and adaptation measures causing of coastal erosion and adaptation measures adopted in other countries.adopted in other countries.

• This workshop was organized and coordinated by SIS90 This workshop was organized and coordinated by SIS90 investigators, with the assistance of Dr.Gillian Cambers (Uni investigators, with the assistance of Dr.Gillian Cambers (Uni of Puerto Rico) of Puerto Rico)

• A half-day training session was also organized so that A half-day training session was also organized so that participants could learn how to report on the state of a participants could learn how to report on the state of a beach, and also take beach profile measurements, and beach, and also take beach profile measurements, and input into a database developed for use by the project.input into a database developed for use by the project.

Beach Monitoring ExerciseBeach Monitoring Exercise

• Characterization of the study sites – Characterization of the study sites – Praslin and Beau Vallon are almost Praslin and Beau Vallon are almost complete and compiled into GIS complete and compiled into GIS form, and monitoring has now been form, and monitoring has now been ongoing for the last six months, ongoing for the last six months, which would after about 2 years which would after about 2 years provide data on which beaches are provide data on which beaches are more at risk from erosion and why. more at risk from erosion and why.

• A pilot demonstration site to study the A pilot demonstration site to study the potential of using a simple soft-based coastal potential of using a simple soft-based coastal protection measure is being tried on one of protection measure is being tried on one of the study sites. This pilot demonstration is the study sites. This pilot demonstration is being funded by a local private company, with being funded by a local private company, with SIS90 providing the funds for the monitoring SIS90 providing the funds for the monitoring and assessment of the effectiveness of the and assessment of the effectiveness of the coastal protection/adapation measure. The coastal protection/adapation measure. The project will last through the two main wave project will last through the two main wave seasons is being fully documented and seasons is being fully documented and scientific monitoring will be ongoing for a scientific monitoring will be ongoing for a further 8 months.further 8 months.

Stakeholder consultationStakeholder consultation

• A stakeholder survey was conducted A stakeholder survey was conducted in January 2004 at the study sites in January 2004 at the study sites and the results are presently being and the results are presently being analysed.analysed.

The way forwardThe way forward

• The results of this study would be The results of this study would be used in determining long-term coping used in determining long-term coping and adaptation framework for and adaptation framework for tourism development in Seychelles tourism development in Seychelles and other island states. and other island states.

• Continue to study the effectiveness Continue to study the effectiveness of the pilot demonstration project, of the pilot demonstration project, including costs and performance including costs and performance during both wave climate conditions during both wave climate conditions on Praslin. on Praslin.

Preliminary conclusions: There Preliminary conclusions: There is a need for;is a need for;

• More effective coastal adaptation in More effective coastal adaptation in the tourism industrythe tourism industry

• More coastal adaptation technology More coastal adaptation technology transfertransfer

• More expertise in coastal adaptation More expertise in coastal adaptation and coastal engineering fieldand coastal engineering field

• More capacity building to be More capacity building to be conducted at national levelconducted at national level

• Thank you for your Thank you for your attention!attention!