Our base is located in Baie Ternay Marine National Park, a 3-minute walk from the beach. The building was originally a school that has been  transformed into an eco-friendly research base with classrooms for presentations, a recreation room to relax after a day of diving, giant hammocks for more relaxation, and a large grassy area with benches for eating or studying. Life on base is much like a big family and we share cooking and tidying duties on a rotation basis. Those who have completed their intensive survey and dive training, can look forward to a short boat trip to the dive site once or twice about 5 days a week, depending on the quality of weather conditions. On other days, participants conduct either marine debris surveys or environmental education sessions with the local community depending on the project needs at the time. Days start early with boat preparations, or training, and are rounded off with an evening debrief, followed by dinner and time to relax, take in the beautiful sunset, and share stories.

Coral bleaching occurs when vibrantly coloured algae that live symbiotically on coral structures flee as a result of environmental stress such as warming water. Without the alage, corals lose their main food source and become more brittle as well as more susceptible to disease.

Over the past two decades, several ocean warming events, also known as El Niños, have been recorded. It has been shown that these events are tied to overall global warming caused by an overabundance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a result of relying on fossil fuels for human energy needs.

During the ocean warming event of 1998, it is estimated that the Seychelles lost up to 90 per cent of its coral reefs. During this time initiatives were begun to monitor coral reef recovery. We have been monitoring coral reefs in the Seychelles since 2004 in partnership with The Seychelles Centre for Marine Research & Technology, SCMRT, the Seychelles National Parks Authority, SNPA, and Reef Care International. We were monitoring the reef during the 2016 coral bleaching event.

Besides participating in coral reef recovery monitoring and coral reef rehabilitation, volunteers should expect to get involved in a range of activities, mostly land-based, centred around United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14, Life Below Water. Some of these might include beach and ocean floor cleanups and subsequent marine debris surveys and environmental education sessions with the local community.

Weekends are yours explore the stunning scenery and the unique Creole culture of the Seychelles. Book a recreational dive to spot manta rays and dolphins, go hiking up Morne Blanc or Morne Seychellois, go island hopping around the more than 100 islands of the Seychelles archipelago, or visit the capital of Victoria to sample Seychellois cuisine.

This program has short, mid and long-term objectives that fit with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals or UN SDGs. This enables reporting on collaborative impact across the world in a streamlined manner, measuring which UN SDGs we are making a substantial contribution to. Furthermore, this will help local partners and communities measure and visualise their contribution to the UN SDGs.

Upon arrival to base, you will be educated about the history of the UN SDGs. You will learn about the specific goals of your location, the long-, mid- and short-term objectives, and also clarification of how your personal, shorter-term involvement contributes to these goals on a global level.

The aim is to educate you on local and global issues, so that you continue to act as active global citizens after your program, helping to fulfil our mission of building a global network of people united by their passion to make a difference.

The importance of healthy corals

Healthy corals are key to the health of our planet. They help fish populations regenerate themselves providing shelter for young fish, they assist in removing excess carbon dioxide from our atmosphere, and protect living spaces near the shore from damage by waves and storms.

In 1998 a massive coral bleaching event decimated many coral reefs around the globe, including the reefs surrounding the inner granitic islands of Seychelles. Coral bleaching occurs when rising water temperatures cause the algae that live on corals to detach themselves from their hosts. Algae is the main food source for corals and helps to maintain the structure of the corals. Warm waters are the result of climate change caused by excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Efforts to monitor the recovery of reefs in Seychelles were initiated after the 1998 event. This began with a 3 year project, named the Shoals of Capricorn, which extensively monitored the entire inner islands. The Seychelles Centre for Marine Research & Technology, SCMRT, was set up at this time to continue the work, and to aid the Seychelles National Parks Authority, SNPA, with the management of the marine parks. After the Shoals of Capricorn project the monitoring was then taken over by Reef Care International.

In addition to the high seasonal sea temperatures, the coral reefs around Seychelles, face numerous other threats such as population pressure, poaching, and unsustainable tourism, all of which are challenging to quantify without a solid, scientific basis. In order to effectively manage and conserve the reef, a continuous monitoring program is necessary to build up a comprehensive picture of the ecological health of the reef.

Coral and Fish Surveys

This project was established in Seychelles in 2004 with the aim of aiding SNPA. At over 20 sites across the North-West coast of Mahe, staff and participants use the protocols of Reef Care International in order to survey the reefs noting the health of existing coral, evidence of new young coral growing on the reef, as well as fish species present and their numbers. Data on coral recovery, as well as fish abundance and diversity is passed on to the SNPA to assist with their management decisions, which might include updates to policies, expanding currently protected areas, or protecting additional areas. In addition, participants use a different coral monitoring technique, to provide data to CoralWatch, a worldwide coral monitoring methodology, based in Queensland University, Australia, which aims to monitor coral bleaching and recovery events around the globe.

Commercial Marine Species Surveys

Unsustainable fishing is also a threat to the health of the Seychellois marine life. In addition this also affects the wellbeing of the local community, because many rely on fish for daily sustenance, and the growth of the local economy, because seafood from Seychelles is sold to international visitors to the islands and consumers abroad. Its underwater treasures are also the reason why many visit every year, bringing capital into the country. We assist Seychelles Fishing Authority, SFA with monitoring commonly harvested species like octopus, lobster, and sea cucumber populations.

Marine Megafauna Sightings

Incidental sightings of marine megafauna like tiger sharks and manta rays, occur frequently during dives, and this information is noted and passed on to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System or OBIS Seamap, an online database designed to keep track of various larger marine species around the world.

Marine Plastic Pollution Cleanups

Ocean floor clean up dives are also regularly conducted as part of the Dive Against Debris or DAD initiative. The data about marine plastics collected is sent on to Project AWARE an organisation established to monitor the abundance and diversity of marine debris around the world.

Environmental Education

Environmental education is also an important part of the Mahe program. The main aim of this program is to get locals involved in discussions around issues affecting their marine environment.

The main United Nations Sustainable Development Goal we work on is #14, Life Below Water.

Exploration