Nature Reserves and Conservancy (Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan) Regulations, Statutory Instrument no. 18 of 2025

stMonday 31 March 2025Vol. L No. 14 Published by Authority of the Government OFFICIAL GAZETTE REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES TABLE OF CONTENTS ——————— GENERAL NOTICES Gazette Notices No. 320 of 2025 - 359 of 2025 are published by Order. ——————— GAZETTE SUPPLEMENT Gazette Description Price 14 Stamp Duty (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2025. (S.I. 17 of 2025) 8.00 Nature Reserves and Conservancy (Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan) Regulations, 2025. (S.I. 18 of 2025) 112.00 Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles (Eleventh Amendment) (Commencement) Notice, 2025. (S.I. 19 of 2025) 4.00 ——————— GENERAL NOTICES No. 320 of 2025 CENTRAL BANK OF SEYCHELLES Notice for Closing of Register of Transfers 5.00% 7 Year Treasury Bond (Mar 2022) 8.30% 10 Year Treasury Bond (Jun 2023) 3.75% 5 Year DBS Bond (Mar 2022) The Register of Transfers maintained at the Central Bank of Seychelles in respect of the above-mentioned bonds will remain closed from April 01, 2025 to April 15, 2025 The Register of Transfers maintained at the Central Bank of Seychelles in respect of the above-mentioned bonds will remain closed from April 06, 2025 to April 20, 2025 Accordingly, no transfers of all the aforesaid bonds will be registered during that period. ——————— 3.50% 3 Year Treasury Bond (Jun 2024) 4.70% 5 Year Treasury Bond (Jun 2024) No. 321 of 2025 ELECTIONS ACT (Cap 262) Pursuant to its mandate under paragraph 1 of chapter 1 of schedule 3 to the Elections Act, the Electoral Commission is opening the following Registration Centres; Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 137 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI S.I. 18 of 2025 NATURE RESERVES AND CONSERVANCY ACT (Act 3 of 2022) Nature Reserves and Conservancy (Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan) Regulations, 2025 Arrangement of Regulations Regulations 1. Citation and commencement 2. Interpretation 3. Purpose of regulations 4. Application and exemptions 5. Prohibited activities in Zone 1 6. Activities permitted in Zone 1, subject to conditions 7. Activities prohibited in Zone 2 8. Activities permitted in Zone 2, subject to conditions 9. Activities permitted in Zone 3, subject to conditions 10. Jurisdiction 11. Offences and Penalty S.I. 18 of 2025 NATURE RESERVES AND CONSERVANCY ACT (Act 3 of 2022) Nature Reserves and Conservancy (Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan) Regulations, 2025 In exercise of the powers conferred by section 32 of the Nature Reserves and Conservancy Act 2022, the Minister responsible for environment makes the following regulations — Citation 1. These regulations may be cited as the Nature Reserves and Conservancy (Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan) Regulations, 2025. Interpretation 2. In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires — “Act” means the Nature Reserves and Conservancy Act, 2022; “Boundary of the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan” is from the mean high water mark seaward to the outer boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone; “Deep water” means the waters of a depth of 200 meters or more that are not within Zone 1, Zone 2, or the Inner Islands area; “Exclusive Economic Zone/EEZ” means the Exclusive Economic Zone of Seychelles, as defined in section 9 read with section 13 of the Maritime Zones Act, 1999 “Map of the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan” means the map titled “Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan Milestone 3” dated 26 March Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 138 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI 2020 deposited at the documentation centre of the ministry responsible for environment. “Mean high water mark” means the line of mean high tide between the ordinary high-water spring and ordinary high-water neap tides; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for Environment and Ministry shall be construed accordingly; “Port of Victoria boundary” means the area as defined in section 15 of the Seychelles Ports Authority (Amendment) Act, 2024; “Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan document” means the document titled “Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan” deposited at the documentation centre of the Ministry responsible for the environment, as approved by the Cabinet; “Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan area” means the area that covers the EEZ of the Seychelles and comprises “Zone 1 areas”, “Zone 2 areas,” and the “Zone 3 areas”, excluding Aldabra Special Reserve, Aride Island Special Reserve, Cousin Island Special Reserve, St.Anne Marine National Park, Baie Ternay Marine National Park, Curieuse Marine National Park, Port Launay Marine National Park, Ile Cocos, Ile La Fouche, Ile Platte Marine National Park and Silhouette Marine National Park; “Territorial sea” means the territorial sea of Seychelles, as defined in section 4 of the Maritime Zones Act, 1999; “Vessel” has the meaning assigned by the Seychelles Ports Authority (Amendment) Act, 2024; “Zone 1” means Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan High Biodiversity Protection zone as described in the Seychelles MSP Zoning Framework set out in Schedule 5 and consists of the following areas — (a) Aldabra Group Marine National Park as designated by the National Parks (Aldabra Group) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2020 S.I. 52 of 2020; Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 139 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI (b) Bird Island Ile Aux Vaches National Park as designated by the National Parks (Bird Island) (Ile aux Vaches) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2020, S.I. 53 of 2020; (c) Amirantes South Marine National Park as designated by the National Parks (Amirantes South) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2020, S.I. 54 of 2020; (d) D'Arros to Poivre Atolls Marine National Park as designated by the National Parks (D' Arros to Poivre Atolls) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2020, S.I. 55 of 2020; and (e) D'Arros Atoll Marine National Park as designated by the National Parks (D' Arros Atoll) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2020, S.I. 56 of 2020. “Zone 2” means Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan medium biodiversity protection and sustainable use zone as described in the Seychelles MSP Zoning framework set out in Schedule 5 and consists of the following areas — (a) Alphonse Group Sustainable Use Area as designated under the Sustainable Use Area (Alphonse Group) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2023 (S.I. 76 of 2023); (b) Amirantes to Fortune Bank Sustainable Use Area as designated under the Sustainable Use Area (Amirantes to Fortune Bank) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2023 (S.I. 77 of 2023); (c) Cosmoledo and Astove Archipelago Sustainable Use Area as designated under the Sustainable Use Area (Cosmoledo and Astove Archipelago) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2023 (S.I. 78 of 2023); (d) Denis Island Sustainable Use Area as designated under the Sustainable Use Area (Denis Island) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2023 (S.I. 79 of 2023); Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 140 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI (e) Desroches Atoll Sustainable Use Area as designated under the Sustainable Use Area (Desroches Atoll) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2023 (S.I. 80 of 2023); (f) Farquhar Archipelago Sustainable Use Area as designated under the Sustainable Use Area (Farquhar Archipelago) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2023 (S.I. 81 of 2023); (g) Farquhar Atoll Sustainable Use Area as designated under the Sustainable Use Area (Farquhar Atoll) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2023 (S.I. 82 of 2023); and (h) Poivre Atoll Sustainable Use Area (Poivre Atoll) (Marine) (Designation) Order, 2023 (S.I. 83 of 2023); “Zone 3” means The Seychelles marine spatial plan multiple use zone as described in the Seychelles MSP Zoning framework set out in Schedule 5 and consists of the Inner Islands area comprising of the Port of Victoria boundary, and the deep water area of the EEZ that is not included in Zone 1 or 2 in the Outer Islands. Purpose of Regulations 3.(1) The purpose of these regulations shall be to protect a minimum of 30% of the Seychelles' territorial waters and EEZ combined, and Zone 1 and 2 each respectively constituting of a minimum of 15% of the area in order to achieve its National commitment under the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan. (2) For the avoidance of doubt it is stated that the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan shall be from the mean high water mark seaward to the boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the map of the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan shall be deposited at the documentation centre of the ministry responsible for environment. Application and exemptions 4.(1) These regulations shall unless specified otherwise be applicable to — Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 141 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI (a) the areas consisting of Zone 1, Zone 2 designated as marine protected areas in terms of section 5 (1) of the Act; and (b) the area classified as Zone 3, consisting of the area demarcated as “Zone 3 area” pursuant to section 32(1) and (2)(c) of the Act: Provided that, these regulations shall not be applicable to Aldabra Special Reserve, Aride Island Special Reserve, Cousin Island Special Reserve, St. Anne Marine National Park, Baie Ternay Marine National Park, Curieuse Marine National Park, Port Launay Marine National Park, Ile Cocos, Ile La Fouche, Ile Platte Marine National Park and Silhouette Marine National Park. (2) For the avoidance of doubt it is stated that, nothing in these regulations shall prevent or interfere with — (a) the use of sea routes by any vessel in lawful navigation or passage rendered necessary by force majeure or distress or for the purpose of rendering assistance to any person, ship or aircraft in danger or distress, or any other right of passage as specified in Part IV of the Maritime Zones Act, 1999; (b) the residents on private land within a Zone 2 Sustainable Use Area from having reasonable access by boat to their property; and (c) a public authority performing any act which the public authority considers necessary in relation to public safety or public health where such act is performed without prior consultation with the person managing the sustainable use area. Prohibited Activities in Zone 1 5.(1) No person shall, in Zone 1 area, engage in any marine activity specified in Column II relating to any sector specified in Column I of the following table — Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 142 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI Sector Marine activity Fisheries (a) Aquaculture, operational (b) Artisanal fishing (small-scale fisheries) (c) Fly fishing, blue water (d) Fly fishing lagoon (e) Industrial pelagic longline (f) Industrial purse seine, free schools (g) Industrial purse seine, associated schools (h) Recreational fishing (i) Semi industrial, hand gathering (small-scale fisheries) (j) Semi industrial, hook and line (small-scale fisheries) (k) Semi industrial, longline (Small-scale fisheries) (l) Sport fishing Maritime infrastructure (a) Ballast water or bilge dumping, disposal or dumping of any matter or thing (b) Beach replenishment (c) Bunkering at sea (d) Bunkering at sea, fishing vessels (e) Disposal, dumping (f) Reclamation (g) Renewable Energy, deep water thermal (h) Renewable energy, solar marine (i) Renewable energy, tidal (j) Renewable energy, wave (k) Renewable Energy, wind offshore Non-renewable and prospecting (a) Bioprospecting development (b) Mining, deep sea (c) Mining, sand (d) Mining, shallow (e) Petroleum exploration, drilling (f) PetroleumDevelopment,production, extraction Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 143 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI (2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-regulation (1) commits an offence. Activities permitted in Zone 1, subject to conditions 6.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of regulation 5, any person may, with the prior written approval of the Minister and in compliance with the following documents, and SMSP Master List of Definitions for Allowable Activities Tables and SMSP Zoning Design General and Area-based Management Considerations (deposited at the documentation centre of the Ministry of the Minister responsible for Environment), engage in Zone 1 in any activity specified in sub-regulation (2) — (a) the SMSP zoning design allowable activities table for Zone 1 (Schedule 1); and (b) the SMSP Zoning Design Codes for Allowable Activities (Schedule 4). (2) Subject to sub-regulation (1), any person may engage in any marine activity specified in Column II relating to any sector specified in Column I of the following table — Sector Marine activity Fisheries (a) Aquaculture, restorative (b) Industrial purse seine supply vessels (c) Subsistence fishing Maritime infrastructure (a) Coastal dredging and dredge spoils (b) Commercial shipping (c) Desalination, boat-based (d) Desalination, land-based (e) Ferries and transportation (f) Ports, marinas, wharves and jetties (g) Structures, marine and or other (h) Underwater cables Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 144 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI Research (a) Aquaculture research (b) Bioprospecting research (c) Hydrographic surveys (d) Scientific geophysical surveys and research (e) Scientific research and monitoring (b) Cruise ship (c) Motorized activities, commercial (d) Motorized activities, non-commercial (e) Non-motorized activities, commercial (f) Non-motorized activities, non-commercial (g) Tourism accommodation, terrestrial Tourism and recreation (a) Anchorages and mooring buoys (3) The conditions specified in sub-regulation (1) shall be considered on a case by case basis. (4) (a) The Minister shall, when granting approval for any activity specified in sub-regulation (2), comply with any relevant written law and regulation, including any relevant site specific regulations. (b) The Minister shall, prior to granting approval for any activity specified in sub-regulation (2), consult any other relevant authority including any other relevant Ministry in respect of such approval. (5) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-regulation (1) commits an offence. (6) Any person engages in any activity in Zone 1 under this regulation knowing or where he ought reasonably to know that such activity — (a) causes or may cause alteration, damage or destruction to any property, animal or plant within that Zone; or (b) causes or may cause injury to or death of any animal or organism in that Zone, commits an offence. Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 145 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI Activities prohibited in Zone 2 7.(1) No person shall, in Zone 2 area, engage in any activity specified in Column I described in Column II of the following table — Sector Marine activity Maritime infrastructure (a) Disposal, dumping (b) Reclamation Non-renewable and prospecting (a) Mining, deep-sea (b) Mining, sand (c) Mining, shallow (2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-regulation (1) commits an offence. Activities permitted in Zone 2, subject to conditions 8.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of regulation 7, any person may, with the prior written approval of the Minister and in compliance with the following documents, and the SMSP Master List of Definitions for Allowable Activities Tables and the SMSP Zoning Design General and Area-based Management Considerations (deposited at the documentation centre of the Ministry of the Minister responsible for Environment), engage in Zone 2 in any activity specified in sub-regulation (2) — (a) the SMSP Zoning Design Allowable Activities Table for Zone 2 (Schedule 2); and (b) the SMSP Zoning Design Codes for Allowable Activities (Schedule 4). (2) Subject to sub-regulation (1), any person may engage in any marine activity specified in Column II relating to any sector specified in Column I of the following table — Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 146 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI Sector Marine activity Fisheries (a) Aquaculture, operational (b) Aquaculture, restorative (c) Artisanal fishing (small-scale fisheries) (d) Fly fishing, blue water (e) Fly fishing, lagoon (f) Industrial pelagic longline (g) Industrial purse seine, free schools (h) Industrial purse seine, associated schools (i) Industrial purse seine, supply vessels (j) Recreational fishing (k) Semi-industrial, hand gathering (small - scale fisheries) (l) Semi-industrial, hook and line (small- scale fisheries) (m) Semi-industrial, longline (small-scale fisheries) (n) Sport fishing (multiple activities) (o) Subsistence fishing Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 147 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI Maritime infrastructure (a) Ballast water and bilge dumping (b) Beach replenishment (c) Bunkering at sea (d) Bunkering at sea; fishing vessels (e) Coastal dredging and dredge spoils (f) Commercial shipping (g) Desalination, boat-based (h) Desalination, land-based (i) Ferries and transportation (j) Ports, marinas, wharves and jetties (k) Renewable energy, deep water thermal (l) Renewable energy, solar marine (m) Renewable energy, tidal (n) Renewable energy, wave (o) Renewable energy, wind offshore (p) Marine and or other structures (q) Underwater cables Non-renewable and prospecting (a) Bioprospecting development (b) Petroleum exploration and drilling (c) Petroleum development production and extraction Tourism and recreation (a) Anchorages and mooring buoys (b) Cruise ships (c) Motorized activities, commercial (d) Motorized activities, non- commercial (e) Non-motorized activities, commercial (f) Non-motorized activities, non- commercial (g) Tourism accommodation, terrestrial Research (a) Aquaculture research (b) Bioprospecting research (c) Hydrographic surveys (d) Scientific geophysical surveys and research (e) Scientific research and monitoring Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 148 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI (3) The conditions specified in sub-regulation (1) shall be considered on a case by case basis. (4) (a) The Minister shall, when granting approval for any activity specified in sub-regulation (2), comply with any relevant written law and regulation, including any relevant site specific regulations. (b) The Minister shall, prior to granting approval for any activity specified in sub-regulation (2), consult any other relevant authority including any other relevant Ministry in respect of such approval. (5) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-regulation (1) commits an offence. (6) Any person engages in any activity in Zone 2 under this regulation knowing or where he ought reasonably to know that such activity — (a) causes or may cause alteration, damage or destruction to any property, animal or plant within that Zone; or (b) causes or may cause injury to or death of any animal or organism in that Zone, commits an offence. Activities permitted in Zone 3, subject to conditions 9.(1) No person shall, except in compliance with the following documents, and the SMSP Master List of Definitions for Allowable Activities Tables and the SMSP Zoning Design General and Area-based Management Considerations (deposited at the documentation centre of the Ministry of the Minister responsible for Environment), engage in Zone 3 in any activity specified in subregulation (2) — (a) the SMSP Zoning Design Allowable Activities Table for Zone 3 (Schedule 3); and (b) the SMSP Zoning Design Codes for Allowable activities (Schedule 4). (2) Subject to sub-regulation (1), any person may engage in any marine activity specified in Column II relating to any sector specified in Column I of the following table — Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 149 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI Sector Marine activity Fisheries (a) Aquaculture, operational (b) Aquaculture, restorative (c) Artisanal fishing (small-scale fisheries) (d) Fly fishing, blue water (e) Fly fishing, lagoon (f) Industrial pelagic longline (g) Industrial purse seine, free schools (h) Industrial purse seine, associated schools (i) Industrial purse seine, supply vessels (j) Recreational fishing (k) Semi-industrial, hand gathering (small - scale fisheries) (l) Semi-industrial, hook and line (small- scale fisheries) (m) Semi-industrial, longline (small-scale fisheries) (n) Sport fishing (o) Subsistence fishing Maritime infrastructure (a) Ballast water and bilge dumping (b) Beach replenishment (c) Bunkering at sea (d) Bunkering at sea; fishing vessels (e) Coastal dredging and dredge spoils (f) Commercial shipping (g) Desalination, boat-based (h) Desalination, land-based (i) Disposal, dumping (j) Ferries and transportation (k) Ports, marinas, wharves and jetties (l) Reclamation (m) Renewable energy, deep water thermal (n) Renewable energy, solar marine (o) Renewable energy, tidal (p) Renewable energy, wave (q) Renewable energy, wind offshore (r) Marine and or other structures (s) Underwater cables Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 150 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI Non-renewable and prospecting (a) Bioprospecting development (b) Mining, deep-sea (c) Mining, sand (d) Mining, shallow (e) Petroleum exploration and drilling (f) Petroleum development production and extraction Tourism and recreation (a) Anchorages and mooring buoys (b) Cruise ships (c) Motorized activities, commercial (d) Motorized activities, non-commercial (e) Non-motorized activities, commercial (f) Non-motorized activities, non- commercial (g) Tourism accommodation, terrestrial Research (a) Aquaculture research (b) Bioprospecting research (c) Hydrographic surveys (d) Scientific geophysical surveys and research (e) Scientific research and monitoring (3) The conditions specified in sub-regulation (1) shall be considered on a case by case basis. (4) Approval for any activity specified in sub-regulation (2) shall be subject to any relevant written law and regulation. (5) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sub-regulation (1) commits an offence. (6) Any person engages in any activity in Zone 3 under this regulation knowing or where he ought reasonably to know that such activity — (a) causes or may cause alteration, damage or destruction to any property, animal or plant within that Zone; or (b) causes or may cause injury to or death of any animal or organism in that Zone, commits an offence. Jurisdiction 10. For the purposes of these regulations, Jurisdiction shall have the same meaning assigned by the Maritime Zones Act, 1999; Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 151 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI Offences and Penalty 11.(1) Any person who commits an offence under these regulations, shall, if such offence is specified in the Act, be liable on conviction to the same penalty specified in the Act for the offence. (2) If a penalty is not specified in the Act in respect of any offence specified in these regulations, a person who commits such offence shall, on conviction be liable to a fine of level 5 on the Standard Scale or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years. SCHEDULE 1 MSP Zoning Design Allowable Activities Table: Zone 1 Date approved: 20 May 2024 Allowable Activities Table (AAT) for the Zone 1 areas identified through the SMSP Initiative (2014-2020) Legend: A – Allowable; C – Conditional; X – Prohibited. See Codes for superscript numbers. General and Area-based Management Considerations apply to all activities. See Master List of Definitions for marine activities. Sectors Marine Activity (Definition in Master List) Zone 1 Fisheries Aquaculture Operational X Aquaculture Restorative C 1,3,4,5,9,15 Artisanal Fishing (Small-scale Fisheries) X Fly Fishing, blue water X Fly Fishing, lagoon X Industrial Pelagic Longline X Industrial Purse Seine, free schools X Industrial Purse Seine, associated schools X Industrial Purse Seine, supply vessels C 1,4,10 Recreational Fishing X Semi-industrial, hand gathering (Small-scale Fisheries) X Semi-industrial, hook & line (Small-scale Fisheries) X Semi-industrial, longline (Small-scale Fisheries) X Sport Fishing X Subsistence Fishing C 1,2,4,6,9 Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 152 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI M aritim e Infrastructure Ballast Water and Bilge Dumping X Beach Replenishment X Bunkering at Sea X Bunkering at Sea, fishing vessels X Coastal Dredging and Dredge Spoils C 1,4,13 Commercial Shipping C 1,4 Desalination, boat-based C 1,4 Desalination, land-based C 1,4 Disposal, Dumping X Ferries and Transportation C 1,3,4 Ports, Marinas, Wharves, Jetties C 1,4,13 Reclamation X Renewable Energy, deep water thermal X Renewable Energy, solar marine X Renewable Energy, tidal X Renewable Energy, wave X Renewable Energy, wind offshore X Structures, marine other C 1,3,4,13 Underwater Cables C 1,4,13 N on- renew a ble & P rosp ectin g Bioprospecting Development X Mining, deep-sea X Mining, sand X Mining, shallow X Petroleum Exploration, Drilling X Petroleum Development, Production, Extraction X Tourism & R ecrea tio n Anchorages and Mooring Buoys C 1,3,4 Cruise ship C 1,3,4,9 Motorised Activities, commercial C 1,3,4,9,11 Motorised Activities, non-commercial C 1,3,4,9 Non-Motorised Activities, commercial C 1,3,4,11 Non-Motorised Activities, non-commercial C 1,3,4 Tourism Accommodation, terrestrial C 1,4 R esea rch Aquaculture Research C 1,3,4,5,9,15 Bioprospecting Research C 1,3,4,5,9 Hydrographic Surveys C 1,3,4,5,9 Scientific Geophysical Surveys and Research C 1,3,4,5,7,9 Scientific Research and Monitoring C 1,3,4,5,9 Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 153 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI SCHEDULE 2 MSP Zoning Design Allowable Activities Table: Zone 2 Date approved: 20 May 2024 Allowable Activities Table (AAT) for the Zone 2 areas identified through the SMSP Initiative (2014-2020) Legend: A – Allowable; C – Conditional; X – Prohibited. See Codes for superscript numbers. General and Area-based Management Considerations apply to all activities. See Master List of Definitions for marine activities. Sectors Marine Activity (Definition in Master List) Zone 2 F isheries Aquaculture Operational C 1,3,4,5,9,15 Aquaculture Restorative C 1,3,4,5,9,15 Artisanal Fishing (Small-scale Fisheries) C 1,3,4,6,12 Fly Fishing, blue water C 1,3,4,6,9 Fly Fishing, lagoon C 1,3,4,6,9 Industrial Pelagic Longline C 1,4,6,12 Industrial Purse Seine, free schools C 1,4,6,12,14 Industrial Purse Seine, associated schools C 1,4,6,12,14 Industrial Purse Seine, supply vessels C 1,4,6,12,14 Recreational Fishing C 1,3,4,6,9 Semi-industrial, hand gathering (Small -scale Fisheries) C 1,3,4,6,12 Semi-industrial, hook & line (Small-scale Fisheries) C 1,3,4,6,12 Semi-industrial, longline (Small-scale Fisheries) C 1,3,4,6,12 Sport Fishing (multiple activities) C 1,3,4,6,9,11 Subsistence Fishing C 1,2,4,6,9 M aritim e Infrastructure Ballast Water and Bilge Dumping C 1,4 Beach Replenishment C 1,4 Bunkering at Sea C 1,4 Bunkering at Sea, fishing vessels C 1,4 Coastal Dredging and Dredge Spoils C 1,4,13 Commercial Shipping C 1,4 Desalination, boat-based C 1,4 Desalination, land-based C 1,4 Disposal, Dumping X Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 154 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI Ferries and Transportation C 1,4,13 Ports, Marinas, Wharves, Jetties C 1,4,13 Reclamation X Renewable Energy, deep water thermal C 1,4,13 Renewable Energy, solar marine C 1,4,13 Renewable Energy, tidal C 1,4,13 Renewable Energy, wave C 1,4,13 Renewable Energy, wind offshore C 1,4,13 Structures, marine other C 1,3,4,13 Underwater Cables C 1,4,13 N o n - R e n e w a b le & P ro sp e c tin g Bioprospecting Development C 1,4,5,8 Mining, deep-sea X Mining, sand X Mining, shallow X Petroleum Exploration, Drilling C 1,4,5,8 Petroleum Development, Production, Extraction C 1,4,5,8 T o u rism & R e c re a tio n Anchorages and Mooring Buoys C 1,3,4 Cruise ships C 1,3,4,9 Motorised Activities, commercial C 1,3,4,9,11 Motorised Activities, non-commercial C 1,3,4,9 Non-Motorised Activities, commercial C 1,3,4,11 Non-Motorised Activities, non-commercial C 1,3,4 Tourism Accommodation, terrestrial C 1,4 R esea rch Aquaculture Research C 1,3,4,5,9,15 Bioprospecting Research C 1,4,5,9 Hydrographic Surveys C 1,4,5,9 Scientific Geophysical Surveys and Research C 1,4,5,7,9 Scientific Research and Monitoring C 1,4,5,9 Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 155 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI SCHEDULE 3 MSP Zoning Design Allowable Activities Table: Zone 3 Date approved: 20 May 2024 Allowable Activities Table (AAT) for the Zone 3 areas identified through the SMSP Initiative (2014-2020). Legend: A – Allowable; C – Conditional; X – Prohibited. See Codes for superscript numbers. General and Area-based Management Considerations apply to all activities. See Master List of Definitions for marine activities. Sectors Marine Activity (Definition in Master List) Zone 3 F isheries Aquaculture Operational C 1,3,4,5,15 Aquaculture Restorative C 1,3,4,5,15 Artisanal Fishing (Small-scale Fisheries) C 1,3,4,6,12 Fly Fishing, blue water C 1,4,6 Fly Fishing, lagoon C 1,4,6 Industrial Pelagic Longline C 1,4,6,12 Industrial Purse Seine, free schools C 1,4,6,12,14 Industrial Purse Seine, associated schools C 1,4,6,12,14 Industrial Purse Seine, supply vessels C 1,4,6,12,14 Recreational Fishing C 1,3,4,6 Semi-industrial, hand gathering (Small-scale Fisheries) C 1,3,4,6,12 Semi-industrial, hook & line (Small-scale Fisheries) C 1,3,4,6,12 Semi-industrial, longline (Small-scale Fisheries) C 1,3,4,6,12 Sport Fishing (multiple activities) C 1,3,4,6,12 Subsistence Fishing C 1,3,4,6 M aritim e In frastructure Ballast Water and Bilge Dumping C 1,4 Beach Replenishment C 1,4 Bunkering at Sea C 1,4 Bunkering at Sea, fishing vessels C 1,4 Coastal Dredging and Dredge Spoils C 1,4 Commercial shipping C 1,4 Desalination, boat-based C 1,4 Desalination, land-based C 1,4 Disposal, Dumping C 1,4 Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 156 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI 1,4Ferries and Transportation C 1,4 Ports, Marinas, Wharves, Jetties C Reclamation 1,4 C 1,4Renewable Energy, deep water thermal C Renewable Energy, solar marine C 1,4 Renewable Energy, tidal C 1,4 Renewable Energy, wave C 1,4 Renewable Energy, wind offshore C 1,4 Structures, marine other C 1,3,4 Underwater Cables C 1,4 N o n - ren ew a b le & P ro sp ectin g Bioprospecting Development C 1,4,5,8 Mining, deep-sea C 1,4,5,8 Mining, sand C 1,4,5,8 Mining, shallow C 1,4,5,8 Petroleum Exploration, Drilling C 1,4,5,8 Petroleum Development, Production, Extraction C 1,4,5,8 To u rism & R ecrea tio n Anchorages and Mooring Buoys C 1,4 Cruise ships C 1,3,4 Motorised Activities, commercial C 1,3,4,11 Motorised Activities, non-commercial C 1,3,4 Non-Motorised Activities, commercial C 1,3,4,11 Non-Motorised Activities, non-commercial C 1,3,4 Tourism Accommodation, terrestrial C 1,4 R esea rch & M o n ito rin g Aquaculture Research C 1,3,4,5,15 Bioprospecting Research C 1,4,5 Hydrographic Surveys C 1,4,5 Scientific Geophysical Surveys, Research C 1,4,5,7 Scientific Research and Monitoring C 1,4,5 Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 157 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI SCHEDULE 4 MSP Zoning Design Codes for Allowable Activities Tables Date approved: 20 May 2024 Allowable Activity Table (AAT) Codes for the Zone areas identified through the SMSP Initiative (2014-2020). The Codes in this table apply to the superscript numbers in Allowable Activities Tables (AAT) for the MSP zoning design. Coding comes from legislation, regulations, scientific studies, government reports, unpublished studies, expert advice and/or best available information. Stakeholders have developed and refined the restrictions and codes, starting in 2015. See also the General and Area- based Management Considerations and the Master List of Definitions. Code # Codes for Allowable Activities Tables 1 See General and Area -based Management Consideration s. Approved management plans needed for Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and/or Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), where applicable or required. Development proposals require a transparent and participatory process with all stakeholders. 2 For subsistence fishing, the management plan for the area will provide direction on the meaning of, the conditions, and definition of the activities it would apply to, noting the intent of subsistence fishing for persons residing on the islands. Subsistence fishing would be allowable for residents of Outer Islands. The details of subsistence fishing can be done at the technical level alongside or after the MSP is approved. Quotas and monitoring of all species harvested is required. Sustainable yield would need to be determined in a Zone 1 (SFA). Definition and regulations of subsistence fishing are as per the Seychelles Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill 2025 and regulation(s). See also notes in General Management Considerations. 3 Anchor in designated areas and/or use permanent mooring buoys as required by legislation, regulation, management plans or policy, and/or where practical. 4 Restrictions may apply to avoid or minimise disturbance on key species and ecological functions. For fisheries activities, see relevant legislation, regulations, and agreements for restrictions on target and non-target species. 5 Authorised approved permit and/or licenses are required for research and monitoring activities, where applicable. Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 158 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI 6 Restrictions or prohibitions on fishing gear or technique may apply. Catch and release may be required, depending on species targeted. Some techniques may be prohibited, such as popping. Fishing in accordance with bag limits, catch limits, rod limits and other gear or catch or fishing effort restrictions found in laws, regulations, policies, management plans, or international conventions and agreements. Reporting requirements, catch & release requirements, bans on discards, bans on retention, handling of species, best practices such as catch & release guidelines by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) Resolutions, and the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) criteria. 7 All vessels conducting seismic surveys must have necessary functioning acoustic equipment and adequately trained operators to detect the presence of cetaceans to always avoid and minimise detrimental effects during operation in accordance with strict, international published scientific guide lines for minimising disturbance to cetaceans (e.g., JNCC Guidelines for Marine Mammals 2017). 8 For non -renewable and bioprospecting activities, exploration and development phases must adhere to strict standards for the sector incl. health, safety, and environment. Petroleum activities must comply with Petro Seychelles Model Petroleum Agreement. 9 Motorised devices and motor watercraft (jet skis) are prohibited in all SMSP Marine National Parks (Zone 1) and in the Desroches, Poivre, Alphonse, and Farquhar Atoll SMSP Marine Sustainable Use Areas (Zone 2; see Outer Islands Project) except where authorised for research, essential access and/or infrastructure, enforcement, safety and/or rescue. See the SMSP Master List of Definitions for motor watercraft and motorised devices. Motor watercraft (jet skis) are conditionally allowable in the remaining SMSP Zone 2 areas: they must meet the details on specifications that are allowable in SMSP Zone 2, and only operate in the allowable location(s), outside a lagoon and shallow waters, included in the SMSA regulations and/or Marine Sustainable Use Area management plans. Motor watercraft (jet skis) should not operate within reef zones 150 m from high water mark as per international best practice. All other motor ised devices are prohibited in Zone 2. 10 No activity on Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and/or instrumented buoys by supply vessels except recovery. Authorisation required from SFA. Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 159 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI 11 The type and extent of activities offered by a Hire Craft licence may be limited, depending on the area objectives. 12 In compliance with Seychelles, legislation, regulations, policies, management plans, agreements, and harvest strategies for fisheries monitoring. Fisheries monitoring includes, and is not limited to, human observers, electronic monitoring systems (EMS), vessel monitoring systems (VMS). 13 Only for essential access and/or essential infrastructure for the zone, including enforcement, safety and/or rescue. Considerations for essential access and infrastructure development include emergencies and whether an activity has fewer known impacts to the marine environment than to the terrestrial environment. 14 In compliance with Seychelles, legislation, regulations, policies, management plans, agreements, and harvest strategies for FAD management. FAD management includes, and is not limited to, authorisation given by SFA, no unauthorised deployment of FADs, and information to SMSA for anchored FADs 15 In accordance with the Seychelles Aquaculture Master Plan, Seychelles Aquaculture Policy, and other relevant legislation, regulations, policies, management plans, agreements, and strategies. Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 160 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI SCHEDULE 5 Seychelles MSP Zoning Framework 26 March 2020 Table 1. Seychelles MSP zoning framework with zone categories, name, objectives and description, version 4.3. The categories were developed with stakeholders using local knowledge, experts, and scientific information to meet the objectives of the marine spatial plan. Zone Category Zone Name Objectives of the Zone Zone Description Zone 1 High Biodiversity Protection Zone To allocate 15% of the EEZ and Territorial Sea 1 for high marine conservation and biodiversity goals, for representative habitats and species. High biodiversity protection zones conserve and protect the top priority areas for marine and coastal biodiversity in Seychelles. These zones are designated for habitats and species that may be rare, endangered, uniqu e or with narrow distribution ranges. This zone includes breeding or spawning areas, key foraging habitat, fragile or sensitive species and habitats, and internationally significant areas. When combined, these zones provide habitats and species with long-term protection, and are sufficiently large to ensure ecological resilience and climate change adaptation. This zone category is not suitable for extraction or sea bed alteration. Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 161 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI Zone 2 Medium Biodiversity Protection and Sustainable Use Zone To allocate 15% of the EEZ and Territorial Waters for medium marine conservation and biodiversity goals, for representative habitats and species. Sustainable uses are compatible with the biodiversity objectives in these areas. Medium biodiversity protection and sustainable use zones are proposed to conserve areas that are suitable for medium levels of biodiversity protection and are also compatible with some sustainable uses. These zones include habitats and species that have some tolerance to disturbance and human activities. These zones also include regionally and nationally significant areas. This zone category is suitable for some level of extraction and sea bed alteration, with appropriate management and direction, depending on the objective of each designated area. Zone 3 Multiple Use Zone To allocate 70% of the EEZ and Territorial Waters to maximize uses and activities in Seychelles, with development aligned with long - term sustainability of the natural resources. Areas are identified for multiple uses and economic activity. These include high value and/or high priority areas for the marine sectors that use Seychelles waters for economic, social and cultural benefits. 1 Territorial Sea is baseline to 12 nautical miles. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is 12-200 NM. Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 162 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI stMADE this 31 day of March, 2025. FLAVIEN JOUBERT MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT ——————— Nature Reserves and Conservancy Actst[31 March 2025] 163 SUPPLEMENT TO OFFICIAL GAZETTEREPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES SI