Events in the Seychelles, June 2013

In the first week of every month, we will be doing an ‘events blog’ so you all can know what is happening in the Seychelles. Here are the events for the month of June 2013:

Event:
Cultural Bazars

Date:
Throughout June 2013

Location:
Various locations throughout Mahe

Organizer:
District Administrator (Tel: +248 2 78 34 13)

About the event:
A unique cultural and shopping experience where you can meet the Seychellois people, enjoy Creole music, and have a taste of the island style way of life.

Bazar Labrinn is a legendary bazar specializing in fruit, vegetables, and other local delicacies. This is also a great place to pick up souvenirs and sample traditional foods and drink, all the while enjoying an authentic Seychellois ambience. 

Bazar Ovan Taking place in the southern part of Mahe, this bazar offers a great opportunity for both visitors and locals alike to experience a true celebration of the vibrant Creole culture, all set to the backdrop of Seychellois Creole music.

Victoria Bazar provides an ambience true to the Seychellois Creole lifestyle, where anything from arts and crafts to exotic culinary delicacies and beverages can be purchased. And of course it wouldn’t be complete without local musicians providing the soundtrack!

 

 

Event:
National Expo 2013

Date:
16 – 18 June 2013

Location:
Sports Complex, Roche Caiman, Mahe


Organizer:
Mr. Michel Vielle (Tel: +248 2 56 39 93 / 2 81 10 80)

About the event:
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Seychelles National Day, the National expo will showcase the major economic activities which shape the island nation, with a focus on the process of national development.

Whilst enjoying impressive cultural and sporting experiences, members of the public will have access to a full spectrum of local goods and services provided by various private and public businesses and organizations, which are all committed to the future of Seychelles.

Activities will include:

• Agricultural and Horticultural – A scaled-down version of the annual show with a focus on the sale of agricultural and horticultural products
• Tourism – Exhibits from all sectors of the industry including hotel associations, individual hotels, DMC’s, airlines, SCAA, charter operators, car hires and others
• Commerce – Importers and traders as well as large and small local manufacturers
• Bazar Victoria – A combination of the best elements of local Bazar Victoria and Bazar Labrin
• Cultural manifestation – Groups of performing artists both local and international providing music, dancing and other forms of cultural activities
• Sports – Different sporting activities will be organized which will include the participation of foreign teams with World Cup matches screened on big screen at the venue
• Food court – Local as well as international cuisine will be available
• Leisure Activities – There will be different activities for all visitors, e.g. boat rides, helicopter rides, glass bottom boat, games and fun for children. There will also be a child-minding service.

In addition to these events, Seychelles Yacht Charter is hosting a ‘beach clean up’ day on the 8th of June, in conjunction with World Oceans Day. However, we will provide more information on that in a separate blog!



Contact us at www.seychellesyachtcharter.com  

 

The Coral Reefs of Seychelles

The mention of coral reefs generally brings to mind warm climates, colorful fish and clear waters. However, the reef itself is actually a component of a larger ecosystem. The coral community is really a system that includes a collection of biological communities, representing one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. For this reason, coral reefs often are referred to as the "rainforests of the oceans.

A coral reef off the island of La Dique

 

What are coral reefs?

Corals are in fact are tiny animals which belong to the group cnidaria (the "c" is silent). Other cnidarians include hydras, jellyfish, and sea anemones. Corals are sessile animals, meaning they are not mobile but stay fixed in one place. They feed by reaching out with tentacles to catch prey such as small fish and planktonic animals.

Coral reefs provide habitats for a large variety of organisms. These organisms rely on corals as a source of food and shelter. Besides the corals themselves and their symbiotic algae, other creatures that call coral reefs home include various sponges; molluscs such as sea slugs, nudibranchs, oysters, and clams; crustaceans like crabs and shrimp; many kinds of sea worms; echinoderms like star fish and sea urchins; other cnidarians such as jellyfish and sea anemones; various types of fungi; sea turtles; and many species of fish.



Coral Reefs are home to many species of ocean life

The tropical rain forests of the ocean

 

How do coral reefs forms?

Coral reefs begin to form when free-swimming coral larvae attach to submerged rocks or other hard surfaces along the edges of islands or continents. As the corals grow and expand, reefs take on one of three major characteristic structures —fringing, barrier or atoll. Fringing reefs, which are the most common, project seaward directly from the shore, forming borders along the shoreline and surrounding islands. Barrier reefs also border shorelines, but at a greater distance. They are separated from their adjacent land mass by a lagoon of open, often deep water. If a fringing reef forms around a volcanic island that subsides completely below sea level while the coral continues to grow upward, an atoll forms. Atolls are usually circular or oval, with a central lagoon. Parts of the reef platform may emerge as one or more islands, and gaps in the reef provide access to the central lagoon.

 

A coral reef formation off Mahe



 

Threats to Coral Reefs

Human Contact: Touching Reefs, even slightly, can harm them. Boats and dropped anchors can cause severe damage to these fragile ecosystems. Frequent human contact kills the reefs over time.

Runoff Water: Silt from eroded soil in runoff water can block sunlight. Without sunlight, photosynthesis does not occur and reefs gradually die.

Sewage: Untreated or improperly treated sewage promotes the growth of algae, which harms coral reefs.

Cyanide Fishing: Some fishermen stun fish by squirting cyanide, a very toxic poison, into reef areas where fish seek refuge. The poison does not kill, but disorients the fish in the coral where they hide. The fisherman then rip apart the reefs with crowbars to capture the fish. In addition, cyanide kills coral polyps and the symbiotic algae and other small organisms necessary for healthy reefs. Cyanide fishing is common in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Fertilizers and Pollution: Fertilizer runoff, pesticides and other chemicals can poison reefs.

Blast Fishing: Shockwaves from blast fishing can destroy coral reefs.

Blast fishing can destroy coral reefs

Coral Reef Conservation in the Seychelles

Fortunately the Seychelles government realises the importance of coral reefs not only to tourism and the economic livelihood for locals, but also for the overall ecosystem of their waters. Many conservation programmes are in place, as well as strictly governed laws concerning the coral reefs. So it is certainly safe to say that the coral reefs of Seychelles are in good hands, and as such we can enjoy their beauty for many years to come!

 

Coral Reef Conservation

 

 

Some more Seychelles Coral Reefs...