THE MANAGEMENT OF ALDABRA MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA) OF REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES

Aldabra MPA is located on a raised coral atoll in the Indian Ocean at 9⁰ 24ˈ S, 46⁰ 22ˈE, southwest of Mahé, Seychelles.  The MPA has a total area of 190km² . The Aldabra environment and resources provide the Seychellous government valuable goods and services including the fisheries, tourism, seafood and employment. The MPA contains unique and important natural habitats that possess tourism quality and as well as evolutionary and ecological studies. It is recognized as the home for high population of giant tortoise The Aldabra MPA is managed by the Seychelles Island Foundation (SIF). The MPA is finance by various organizations including the UNDP

and the GEF to support the sustainability of the area and to maintain its status as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. MPAs are controlled or managed by local, state, territorial, regional or national authorities. The designation of authorities differ substantially from nation to nation. Individual country has the legal responsibility for the designation and enacting legislation which governs their MPAs. Proper management of MPAs is very important in conserving and protecting the biodiversity of the ecosystem. This study reviews the management of Aldabra Marine Protected Area of republic of Seychelles.