Seychelles’ National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2015-2020.

The Seychelles’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) represents the national means for implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It adopts the same vision as the Seychelles Sustainable Development Strategy (SSDS) 2012-2020: “To contribute to the realisation of the nation’s economic, social and cultural potential through an innovative, knowledge-led approach, being mindful of the need to conserve the integrity of the Seychelles natural environment and heritage for present and future generations.” The NBSAP is intended to have a 6-year duration, (2015-2020) so as to coincide with the CBD Strategic Plan Aichi 2020 Biodiversity targets. The instrument pursues the following strategic goals: (1) to address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society; (2) to reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use; (3) to improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity; (4) to enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services; (5) to enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building. The document is based upon these guiding principles: (i) Precautionary Principle; (ii) Intrinsic Value; (iii) Ecosystem Approach and Ecologically Sustainable Development; (iv) Interdependence of Humans and Biodiversity.