Welcome to the Department of Blue Economy
The blue economy in Seychelles has been built on a foundation of transformation from the status quo to a development which incorporates the need to conserve our marine resources while creating wealth for equitable
distribution.
We have made it our priority to invest heavily in the adaptive measures that were required to make the transition from business as usual to a more sustainable use of the marine resources within the Seychelles EEZ.
From the creation of The Department of the Blue Economy in 2015 development has gone from strength to strength and the landscape has benefited from various government initiatives aimed at establishing the environment from which the blue economy will thrive. Many of these initiatives have been award-winning and have helped boost Seychelles into a leadership role.
The systematic approach to development is guided by the Seychelles Blue Economy Strategic Policy Framework and Roadmap which has been used to guide development of policies and plans within the region. We have invested in ensuring that it is done right, with the right policies and plans in place, so as to progressively keep reaping the benefits in the future, for years to come.
Seychelles aims to remain the most ardent promoter of the blue economy and diligently share the best practices that is learnt as we tackle the difficulties faced.
Our Ocean – Our Future
Philliane Ernesta
Principal Secretary for the Blue Economy
Our Mandate
The mandate of the Department is to provide strategic direction and coordination of the Blue Economy implementation, as part of the continued sustainable development of Seychelles.
Our Vision
To develop a Blue Economy as a means of realising the nation’s development potential through innovation and knowledge-led approaches, being mindful of the need to conserve the integrity of the Seychelles marine environment and heritage for present and future generations’.
The Vision encapsulates 7 overarching Blue Economy principles: economic efficiency, sustainability, social equity, resilience, innovation, transparency and accountability and partnerships.
It is articulated through 4 Strategic Priorities or Pillars:
Background
The Department of the Blue Economy was established in 2015 within the Ministry of Finance of Finance. The Principal Secretary was Miss Rebecca Loustau-Lalanne who initiated the development of the Blue Economy Strategic Policy Framework and Roadmap with the assistance of the Commonwealth.
In 2017, Mrs Rose-Marie Bargain took up the helm as Principal Secretary as the Department of the Blue Economy was transferred to the Vice-President’s Office, under Vice President Vincent Meriton, and launched the Blue Economy Strategic Policy Framework and Roadmap.
The Department of the Blue Economy assigned to Ambassador Barry Faure who became the Secretary of State for both Foreign Affairs and The Blue Economy in 2019 and Mr Kenneth Racombo became the new Principal Secretary.
Blue Economy Concept in Seychelles
The Blue Economy concept acknowledges small islands’ unique dependencies on oceans and their vulnerability to environmental and economic risks. It proposes options for mitigating some of the inherent structural challenges of small, undiversified economies, including small populations, high dependency on imports, limited space, skills, capacity and high unit costs of providing public services. Small domestic markets, limited natural resources and vulnerability to economic shocks, extreme weather patterns and climate change impacts are circumstances to which many island countries are prone.
Implementing a Blue Economy approach offers twin advantages of realizing economic and social benefits while at the same time improving environmental sustainability and climate resilience. It also promotes equity in access to, development of, and sharing of benefits from marine resources including the ability to mobilize capacity and manage resources.
