In April, we sponsored our first Mass Clean-Up, which took place on Beau Vallon Beach and was jointly organized and funded by ourselves and SYAH (SIDS Youth AIMS Hub).

The aim of the event was to raise awareness amongst school children about the detrimental effects of littering our beaches on endangered species such as sea turtles. Sustainability for Seychelles also participated by organizing a painting station for anti-littering signage on the site of the weekly ‘bazar labrin’.

The activity was part of a grander scheme, as one of many beach clean-ups organized by SYAH within the Marine Debris Challenge, hosted by Positive Change for Marine Life based in Australia. 246 participants attended the event, including staff and members of Indian Ocean Tuna (IOT), Seychelles Sail Training Scheme, Seychelles National Assembly and Seychelles Police Defence Force (SPDF) as well as students from the Bel Ombre, Beau Vallon, Independent and French Schools.

After just one hour of clearing, a 3-ton truck was filled up with waste ranging from bottles to plastic bags, scrap metal and tyres to name but a few.