by JOHN NEVILL The special circumstances of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and island ecosys- tems in general, have been much discussed in the forums of international environmental negotiation, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and through the Barbados Declaration and its ensuing processes. The significance of SIDS as centres of endemism, their: vulnerability to alien invasive species, disproportionate per capita infrastructure and skilled human resource requirements, limited terrestrial resources and often neces- sarily skewed balances of trade etc… have all been discussed at length and made subject of much study and publication. These points are, of course, all relevant if not vital factors when the international com- assist the CBD in meeting its global 2010 development of the CBD programme on munity considers ways and means of enabling targets. Islands are self-contained ecosystems Island Biodiversity. The focusing of efforts SIDS’ pursuit of sustainable development; with well defined geographic limits that and resources here can provide rapid and but this is only half the story. SIDS and encapsulate fundamental ecological proc- disproportionate yields in terms of progress island ecosystems have much to offer the esses and interactions. These ecosystems towards achieving the 2010 biodiversity international pursuit of sustainable develop- because of their scale offer scope for holistic goals and the development of management ment; and the conservation and sustainable management and rehabilitation. approaches for extrapolation globally. use of biodiversity, respectively. In both scenarios, SIDS and island eco- SIDS are microcosms of their continental systems, stratagems can be tested and counterparts where strategies, policies the findings extrapolated to continental and management regimes for sustainable scenarios. Islands are natural laboratories for John Nevill was formerly the Director of Conservation in the Seychelles’ Ministry development can be applied, tested and science and research; this is as true today, for of Environment and Focal Point for the refined; where the components of cause and the elaboration of regimes for environmental Convention on Biological Diversity for six years. John has been active in the effect are more readily assessed, outcomes management and the conservation and workings of the Convention on Biological more rapidly seen and results more specifi- sustainable use of biodiversity, as it was in Diversity notably COPs, SBSTTA and the cally tangible. Much the same can be said the nineteenth century for the elucidation negotiations for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety since 1997 and continues to attend certain meetings as a member of the of island ecosystems which, with their high of evolutionary theory. It is to be hoped Seychelles delegation. endemism, offer great potential to advance that this potential is recognised through John works today as Environmental Consultant and as Director of the Marine Conservation society, Seychelles - a Non- the cause of biodiversity management and for example, the timely and substantive Governmental Organisation registered in Seychelles. 98 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ISLAND AFFAIRS 99 So the logical step is to find a means by which to channel resources from tourism to address this issue – eco-tourism development offers such a bridging mechanism. Seychelles has two island reserves, of longstanding, that derive their revenue from ecotourism and as such the concept is well understood and recognised in-country. Seychelles is afflicted by many invasive species such as cinnamon and albizia, some fifty species of creeper, birds such as the Indian Mynah and the South African Barn Owl. Escaped livestock and fowl have caused major problems on certain islands: goats on Aldabra have severely denuded the vegetation depriving giant tortoises of food and shade; feral pigs were identified in 1996 as digging up virtually every turtle egg clutch laid on the island of Menai, Cosmoledo atoll (Mortimer.1998). Chickens and pigs have been removed from islands for fear that they would compete with the endangered Seychelles Magpie-robins for food. Cats on Aldabra have been found to favour feeding on marine turtle hatchlings (Mortimer. 1998) and this habit is likely prevalent on other turtle rookeries where they occur. Most damaging to date, however, are rats. The intel- ligence, broad feeding niche, fecundity and general adaptability of the Rattus sp. make them a most effective invader. Seychelles has been colonised by two species Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus, their impact upon flora and invertebrate fauna is likely extensive but is poorly understood. With regard to The Seychelles White-eye (Photo by Gerard Rocamora) birds, however, the impact of rats is well known. Within the granite Seychelles there The conservation and sustainable use of species identified to date on a tiny landmass of are six endemic species and one endemic sub- biological diversity is a fundamental precursor some 445 square kilometres divided between species of terrestrial bird that are endangered, to the realisation of sustainable development. 115 islands. The key centre of this biodiversity of these only one is believed to be able to In many countries this means harmonising the is the 39 granite islands that were separated co-exist with R. rattus. development and activities of major industries from continental masses more than 70 million In 1995 Bird Island a flat coralline island with the needs and tolerances of natural years ago. The granite Seychelles today are successfully undertook a rat and rabbit systems. In Seychelles, as is the case for most some 1000 miles from the nearest continental eradication and whilst a much simpler SIDS, tourism is a primary industry and a landmass. In Seychelles the primary threat to topography and ecosystem than the granite major employer. So the challenge in Seychelles biodiversity is without doubt that posed by islands showed that current techniques were is to harmonise the tourism industry, its Invasive Alien Species (IAS). One thousand effective in the tropical scenario. development and activities, with the needs of miles and 70 million years clearly meets the In 2000, following 2 years of preparatory environmental management. criteria of the “geographically and evolutionar- work the Government of Seychelles led Seychelles is recognised as a centre of ily isolated ecosystems” that are a priority and coordinated a three island rat and cat biodiversity1 with more than 1200 endemic under the CBD’s IAS programme. eradication campaign. Islands were selected 1 Seychelles has been classified as part of the Indian Ocean islands biodiversity Hotspot by Conservation International and as an Endemic Bird Area (EBA) by BirdLife International. 100 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ISLAND AFFAIRS as per the potential they offered for the What is particularly interesting is that the infrastructure such as rat fences, rat-proof re-introduction of bird species. Two of the private sector has embraced the application of rooms etc… islands were private and funded their own this technology in Seychelles despite the high This “privatisation” of biodiversity man- operations with the primary goal being to profile failure of two islands. Four islands agement under Government supervision, introduce endangered bird species which have very recently undertaken rat-eradication addressing endangered biodiversity, is a would create additional attractions for their campaigns. Two are the granite islands of great step forward in Seychelles’ efforts to existing tourism (private island hotel resort) North and Anonyme, Denis which failed conserve its natural heritage and meet its operations. in 2000 has tried again and the fourth is international commitments. Not to mention Government facilitated this activity by: the distant coral island of D’Arros. The the alleviation of the financial burden on identifying and importing the expertise, willingness of the private sector to take on Government. In Seychelles rat eradications undertaking the preliminary bait testing and such initiatives reflects the realisation that have already greatly enhanced the conserva- rat and cat surveys, coordinating the project eco-tourism is the fastest growing niche tion status of three endangered bird species implementation; waiving tax requirements market in the tourism industry; and in the -the Seychelles Magpie-robin, the Seychelles on the import of baits and equipment and Seychelles context where the trend is increas- White-eye (Rocamora. 2003) and the Sey- providing field staff to assist in implementa- ingly to target the top-end tourist market chelles Fody – and various endemic species tion. The main support however came from exclusive nature reserve island resorts are of invertebrate. the economies of scale that resulted from very much en vogue. Furthermore should the recent eradications undertaking the activities on three islands A brief survey of island managements that prove successful (this takes at least one-year within the same time period. Despite this have undertaken rat eradications showed that to determine) two more endangered species operations were still costly because the eco-tourism was the (or one of the) primary will likely benefit – the Seychelles Black mountainous terrain and/or size of the islands motivation(s) behind the activity along with Paradise Flycatcher and the Seychelles required the use of helicopters, with satellite philanthropy and direct commercial issues Warbler