ALDABRA MANAGEMENT PLAN A management plan for Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles Natural World Heritage Site 1998 - 2005 (Version 1: 1998) Section 1 : Management Plan prepared by Katy Beaver and Ron Gerlach for Seychelles Islands Foundation GEF/World Bank CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 4 MAP OF ALDABRA 9 PART ONE - POLICIES 10 1.1 Mission Statement 10 1.2 Major Policies for Aldabra 10 PART TWO - INTRODUCTION TO ALDABRA 11 2.1 Aldabra as a Protected Area 11 2.2 Geographical, Cultural and Conservation Background 11 2.3 Relationship with the Other Islands in the Aldabra Group 13 2.4 Aldabra Today 13 2.5 A New Policy for the Establishment of Zones 14 2.6 Legislation Pertaining to Aldabra 14 PART THREE - CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT 17 3.1 Terrestrial Ecosystems 17 3.2 Coastal Ecosystems (Beaches, Mangroves, Lagoon Islets) 24 3.3 Aquatic Ecosystems 26 3.4 Historical and Cultural Features 28 3.5 Environmental Awareness, Information and Education 29 PART FOUR - RESEARCH 33 4.1 Introduction 33 4.2 Research Priorities 33 4.3 Management of Research Proposals 35 4.4 Research Reports 36 4.5 Promotion of Research 36 PART FIVE - ADMINISTRATION 38 5.1 SIF Administrative Management Structure 38 5.2 SIF Office Staff Responsibilities 40 5.3 Aldabra Management Structure and Staff Responsibilities 41 5.4 Staff Meetings 45 5.5 Staff Attitudes and Behaviour 46 5.6 Staff Training 46 5.7 Reports 47 PART SIX - TOURISM 50 6.1 Introduction 50 6.2 Policy 50 6.3 Tourism Guidelines and Policies 51 6.4 Tourism Management 52 6.5 Tourism Monitoring 54 PART SEVEN - FINANCE 55 7.1 Introduction 55 7.2 Budget 55 APPENDIX ONE - “SWOT” ANALYSIS FOR ALADABRA 57 1 APPENDIX TWO - ALTERNATIVE SCENARIOS FOR THE FUTURE OF ALDABRA 59 APPENDIX THREE - LEGISLATIVE SUMMARIES 64 APPENDIX FOUR - ALDABRA STAFF WORKING CONDITIONS 68 2 INTRODUCTION The Aldabra Management Plan is intended to serve for a period of seven years (1998-2005). It should be reviewed annually to monitor performance and progress, and modified if necessary. There are two sections in the Aldabra Management Plan. Section 1: The Management Plan, addresses policies and guidelines to be used in the management of Aldabra. Section 2: Operations Manual addresses the practical procedures for the running of the atoll. Both documents are based on three much longer ones drafted by Susan Pierce and Dave Augeri in 1996 (“Management & Operations Plan”, “Science & Conservation Plan”, and “Operations Manual”). Augeri and Pierce were Research Officers during 1995. Copies of both the Management Plan and the Operations Manual should be always available in print, on computer and on back-up computer diskettes, both on Aldabra and in the SIF office on Mahé. 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Aldabra Management Plan is divided into two sections. The Management Plan itself addresses policies and guidelines to be used in the management of Aldabra. The Operations Manual, which is a separate document, addresses the practical procedures for the running of the atoll. The Aldabra Management Plan is intended to serve for a period of seven years (1998-2005) and should be reviewed annually to monitor performance and progress. Aldabra atoll, one of the Republic of Seychelles southernmost islands in the Indian Ocean, is approximately 1066 km south west of the main island of Mahé, 420 km north west of Madagascar, and 640 km east of Tanzania. The Aldabra group of islands - Assumption, Cosmoledo, Astove and Aldabra - make up a distinct and isolated group of raised coral islands which share many species of flora and fauna. With the exception of Assumption, which has an important all-weather airstrip and a small settlement, these islands are now of little financial or commercial significance. Aldabra’s geographical isolation, rough terrain and scarcity of fresh water have been the primary factors deterring large human populations from settling. Aldabra is a prime example of a raised coral atoll and is significantly less disturbed than most other atolls in the Indian Ocean and elsewhere in the world. It is a refuge for many endangered and unique species. Amongst these are the Aldabran giant tortoise (Dipsochelys dussumieri = Geochelone gigantea) of which there are about 100,000; one of the largest congregations of nesting green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in the Indian Ocean; the world’s second largest breeding population of greater and lesser frigate birds (Fregata minor and Fregata ariel); the last flightless bird species in the Indian Ocean - the white-throated rail (Dryolimnas cuvieri aldabranus); and many endemic taxa of plants and animals. As a result of Aldabra’s unique ecosystems and species it is listed as a Seychelles Special Reserve and a World Heritage Site. The Royal Society built a research station on Aldabra in 1971 and there followed a period of intense research into the terrestrial and marine ecology. In 1981 the Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF) took over the management of Aldabra. Established by presidential decree in 1979, SIF is a government statutory body which also manages Seychelles’ other World Heritage Site, Vallée de Mai on Praslin island. The mandate of SIF with respect to Aldabra is to manage and conserve the natural life of the atoll and to initiate and instigate scientific research into this natural life. The main policies of SIF therefore relate to conservation, research, restoration and education (Part 1). This new Management Plan introduces policies on limited and controlled eco-tourism (Part 6), and on the zonation of the atoll (Part 2.5). Other major changes outlined in the Plan relate to the administrative structure of SIF, the Aldabra management structure, improving the quality of staffing (all in Part 5), and revamping research programmes on the atoll (Part 4). A summary of the main strategies and actions proposed and outlined in this Management Plan is given on the following pages (Management Strategy and Action Plan). A SWOT analysis for Aldabra is given in Appendix One. This summarises Aldabra’s Strengths, (including the presence of SIF on the atoll), its Weaknesses (of which most relate to poor management), the Opportunities for positive change, and Threats to the atoll (both natural and due to poor management). A number of possible management scenarios are outlined and evaluated in Appendix Two, including the implications of maintaining the status quo as at 1997. 4 MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN VISION : Aldabra should be an environmental “flagship” for Seychelles - an example of a well managed protected area and World Heritage Site in which, despite its isolation, conservation, research, education and limited nature conservation tourism are sustainably balanced and the atoll has a firm financial base. The management strategy and action plan outlined here is arranged in a way which reflects the basic priorities required for positive changes to the current situation. It can be used as a tool for the annual review of performance and progress during the AGM of SIF. Additional items and refinements can be incorporated at that time. NOTE: 1. After each Management Action in the chart below is the reference number of the appropriate section(s) of this Management Plan (e.g. 3.3.2). 2. ++ Initiation of action 3. + Continuation of action 1. ADMINISTRATION a) SIF Annual General Meeting Management Objective: to improve the effectiveness of the AGM in directing the future of Aldabra Actions 1998-1999 2000-2001 2002-2005 •= Annually assess progress on the whole of this Action Plan (see Introduction) ++ + + •= At or directly after the AGM, produce a summary of policy changes and amendments relating to this Management Plan. This should be appended to the ++ + + Management Plan and also circulated to all Trustees and senior staff on Aldabra. b) SIF on Mahé Management Objective: to improve the management structure and efficiency of SIF on Mahé Actions 1998-1999 2000-2001 2002-2005 •= Develop policies on those issues which are not already covered in this Management Plan (See No. 2 below) ++ •= Each member of the office staff should be given a copy of their particular responsibilities and duties (5.2) ++ + + •= Report distribution and communication should be improved (5.1.2 and 5.2.1a) ++ + + •= Ensure that action is taken on matters which arise from the bimonthly reports which are sent from Aldabra (5.7) + + + •= Ensure that any additional relevant legislation, e.g. additions to the Environment Protection Act, is appended to this Management Plan (2.6 and Appendix 3) + + + 5 c) SIF on Aldabra Management Objective: to improve the management structure on Aldabra Actions 1998-1999 2000-2001 2002-2005 •= Implement changes in the management structure (5.3) ++ + + •= Improve the communications system between Aldabra and the Mahé office (5.3.1) ++ + + •= Conduct regular staff meetings (5.4) + + + •= Ensure that all Bi-monthly Reports are written and submitted to SIF (5.7) + + + •= Each member of staff should be given a copy of: ∗= his or her particular responsibilities and duties (see 5.3.1 to 5.3.12) ++ + + ∗= the “Working Conditions” for staff on Aldabra (5.5 and Appendix Four) ++ + + ∗= SIF Tourism Guidelines for Staff (6.4.4) ++ + + •= This can be replaced at a later date by a Code of Conduct which should be given to all staff. + ++ + 2. POLICY DEVELOPMENT Management objective: to develop policies on important issues which are not currently addressed in the Management Plan. Actions 1998-1999 2000-2001 2002-2005 •= Develop financial policies and strategies for SIF ++ + + •= Develop policies on communications systems between Mahé and Aldabra, on the atoll itself, and on the ++ + + control and usage of these systems •= Develop sustainable environmentally friendly policies for future energy and power production, sewage ++ + + disposal, water supplies, etc. •= Affirm the proposed policy on workers’ gardens ++ + + (3.1.1c(b)) •= Update the management policies on tortoises ++ + + (3.1.2c(a)) •= Develop policies or devise contingency plans for natural emergencies on Aldabra (e.g.