Seychelles Coastal Management Plan 2019–2024 Mahé Island, Seychelles
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Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Seychelles Coastal Management Plan 2019–2024 Mahé Island, Seychelles. Photo: 35007 Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change Seychelles Coastal Management Plan 2019–2024 © 2019 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington DC 20433 Telephone: 202-473-1000 Internet: www.worldbank.org This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change of Seychelles. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors or the governments they represent, and the European Union. In addition, the European Union is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundaries, colors, denomina- tions, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. Rights and Permissions The material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dissemination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given. Any queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: [email protected]. Citation Please cite the report as follows: World Bank and Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change of Seychelles. 2019. Seychelles Coastal Management Plan: 2019–2024. Washington, DC: World Bank; Victoria, Seychelles: Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change of Seychelles Cover photo: Mahé. Photo: iStock.com/35007 Design: Miki Fernández/ULTRA Designs, Inc. Table of Contents List of acronyms .................................................................................................................................................... vii Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................. viii Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................ ix 1 Introduction 1.1 Why a coastal management plan? ............................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Objectives and scope of the plan ................................................................................................................ 2 1.2.1 Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2.2 Content and Scope ........................................................................................................................... 2 2 What is a coastal management plan? ............................................................................ 5 2.1 Outline of the Coastal Management Plan ................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Current legislation, policies and strategic documents that affect coastal management ....................... 5 2.3 Current coastal management practices ...................................................................................................... 7 2.3.1 Institutional context and capacity .................................................................................................. 7 2.3.3 Available studies and information to develop the Coastal Management Plan ........................... 8 2.4 From current practices to a coastal management plan ............................................................................. 8 3 Coastal risk in Seychelles 3.1 Seychelles coastal landscape ...................................................................................................................... 9 3.2 Coastal hazards in Seychelles ..................................................................................................................... 11 3.2.1 Overview of coastal processes ........................................................................................................ 11 3.2.2 Coastal flooding ................................................................................................................................ 11 3.2.3 Tropical cyclones .............................................................................................................................. 12 3.2.4 Tidal variations ................................................................................................................................. 12 3.2.5 Offshore wave conditions and extreme sea levels ........................................................................ 13 3.2.6 Coastal flooding: historical records ................................................................................................ 14 3.2.7 Coastal erosion ................................................................................................................................. 14 3.3 Coastal risks and climate change effects.................................................................................................... 18 3.4 The importance of coastal ecosystems for a resilient coast ..................................................................... 21 3.4.1 Coral reefs ......................................................................................................................................... 21 3.4.2 Beaches and dunes ........................................................................................................................... 24 3.4.3 Coastal vegetation ............................................................................................................................ 25 3.4.4 Environmental degradation can create or aggravate coastal impact .......................................... 25 3.5 Coral reefs as natural infrastructure: Identifying where corals have a higher potential for coastal protection ................................................................................................................................... 26 3.6 Exposure of coastal communities and assets ............................................................................................ 26 3.6.1 Exposed assets to coastal flooding ................................................................................................. 26 3.6.2 The natural capital of the coastal zone .......................................................................................... 27 3.7 Main knowledge gaps to better understanding and managing coastal risk ........................................... 28 iv Coastal Management Plan Seychelles: 2019–2024 4 Priorities for coastal management 4.1 Introduction to the priorities for coastal management ............................................................................ 29 4.2 Coastal classification and management units ............................................................................................ 30 4.3 Actions ........................................................................................................................................................... 32 4.3.1 Monitoring and research .................................................................................................................. 32 4.3.2 Coastal infrastructure ....................................................................................................................... 33 4.3.3 Risk-based land planning ................................................................................................................. 39 4.3.4 Capacity building .............................................................................................................................. 41 4.3.5 Awareness raising............................................................................................................................. 42 5 Implementation agenda 5.1. Coastal management for coastal resilience ............................................................................................... 43 5.1.1 Adaptive coastal management ........................................................................................................ 43 5.1.2 Guidance for designing and implementing green and grey coastal infrastructure projects ..... 44 5.2. Implementation plan for prioritized actions ............................................................................................. 46 5.2.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................... 46 5.2.2 Implementation plan for coastal infrastructure ............................................................................ 47 5.2.3 Monitoring and research and capacity building ............................................................................ 50 References ...........................................................................................................................................................