Amid the vast blue expanses of this Indian Ocean island nation, Parley Seychelles works to clean up, educate and inspire

The Parley Global Cleanup Network works to protect marine environments from plastic pollution and other threats. Through collaborative cleanups with local businesses and organisations, our teams intercept plastic waste from beaches, remote islands, rivers, mangroves and coastal communities. With cleanups in 30 countries so far and counting, the Network also works on local education, awareness campaigns and government engagement to drive change.

Each country team shares our vision for healthier oceans globally, and works locally to champion the Parley AIR Strategy in their nation. As of 2021, Parley has worked with over 750 collaborators, engaged over 260,000 volunteers and conducted more than 4500 cleanups worldwide. With a focus on coastal cleanups, Parley Seychelles works with a range of local and international partners to help drive change.

“As an island nation whose territory is more than 99% ocean, we care deeply about protecting this vast, blue treasure.”

– Alvania Lawen, Parley Seychelles

Featured Projects

Visit from Dr. Sylvia Earle

In early 2020, Parley Seychelles welcomed oceanographer, explorer and Parley collaborator Dr. Sylvia Earle for a special beach cleanup on Valentine’s Day – with 30 volunteers showing up to show their love for the oceans.

“The cleanup was on Ile Longue,” explains Parley Seychelles coordinator Alvania Lawen, “and we were blessed to have Dr. Earle join us as part of a documentary for the BBC. Our oceans are 95% undiscovered so we absolutely cannot be the ones who destroy the unknown.”

Altogether, the team cleaned up 212kg of debris, of which 113 was plastic. Our thanks go out to Sylvia, the BBC, SeyCCAT, Seychelles Dive Federation School and Nesi.

Island cleanups

To date, Parley Seychelles has carried out over 40 cleanups on various islands, covering over 500,000 square meters of beach, coastline and reef. Nearly 700 volunteers have joined these events on islands ranging from smaller ones like Petite Soeur and Isle Thérèse to more built up islands like La Digue and Félicité.

”It’s no secret that the Seychelles’ islands are paradise,” explains country coordinator Alvania Lawen. “They were once thought to hold the Garden of Eden and even grow mythical underwater coconut trees. National Geographic awarded us the title for most pristine seas, but not all is perfect. We too fight against the disease that is marine debris and the scourge of microplastic.”

Education

Beyond intercepting plastic and other waste, each event is a chance to educate and inspire. Parley Seychelles involves youth in both the planning and execution of cleanup missions, and has collaborated with the National Youth Assembly, the Seychelles Department of Environmental Education and the Ministry of Education to inspire the youth of Seychelles to take action and help protect their vast blue ocean home.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS AND COLLABORATORS IN SEYCHELLES

Seychelles Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Climate Change

Seychelles Department of Environmental Education

Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT)

NESI Catamaran

The Ocean Project Seychelles

Zico Boat Charters

Island Conservation Society

Hilton Labriz Silhouette

State schools of Seychelles – Ministry of Education

Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation

Land Waste Management Agency – Praslin department

National Youth Assembly

Bikini Bottom Seychelles

Seychelles People's Defence Force

Whitetip Divers

Octopus Diving Center

Special thanks to John Berlouis, Priya Didon, Nikita Rennie and Kurt Pouponneau