Estate Living Magazine The Slow Movement - Issue 39 March 2019 | Page 33

P R O P E R T Y
&
I N V E S T M E N T
population. Fish products make up around 95% of the total value
of domestic exports.
Announcing the bond at the Our Ocean Conference in Bali on
29 October, the vice president of the Republic of Seychelles,
Vincent Meriton, said: ‘We are honoured to be the first nation
to pioneer such a novel financing instrument. The blue bond,
which is part of an initiative that combines public and private
investment to mobilise resources for empowering local
communities and businesses, will greatly assist Seychelles in
achieving a transition to sustainable fisheries and safeguarding
our oceans while we sustainably develop our blue economy.’
Will the blue bond protect Seychelles from proposed
military base?
N
tourismtattler.com
Reflecting concerns felt by many Seychellois about a
proposed military base to be developed in conjunction
with India, consultant and ex tourism minister of
Seychelles, Alain St Ange, said: ‘Today a feel-good factor
has surfaced and Seychelles needs to live up to the
declarations it makes. Seychelles must walk the talk. The
big question that arises is whether sustainable oceans and
the protection of marine areas are able to go hand in hand
with a military base with a foreign power. The UNESCO
World Heritage Site of Aldabra, for example, is but some
20 miles from the proposed military base of Assumption
Island. Recent reports show that baby dugongs (sea cows)
are now back in that lagoon. Now nuclear submarines may
be parading alongside them as warships pass overhead.’