Classified as SIDS (Small Island
Developing States), Seychelles has not been spared like the majority of other
island states around the world, from the harmful effects of coastal erosion.
The coastal zones remains one of the most vulnerable areas with regards to the
ever-changing climatic conditions and shocks. With about 85% of the current
population living within the vicinity of the coastal areas, there is increasing
pressure on the coastlines to cater for economical and recreational needs of
humans, but also for the coast to adapt and become resilient to the
ever-increasing frequency and intensity of natural hazards. The 2004 tsunami
that struck certain coastal areas around Seychelles brought to the forefront
the need to manage, protect, and minimize the vulnerability of our coastlines from
these natural hazards like extreme storm-surges originating from abnormal
spring tides, and tsunamis which accelerates the recession of coastlines
through erosion. With fishing and tourism the pillars of our economy, it is
vital therefore that measures are put in place to protect the beaches not only
from erosion but also to secure the livelihoods of the fisherman and tourism
establishments that depends on the coasts for their survival.
Acknowledging that climate change
is one of the main reasons why our coastlines are becoming more and more
vulnerable to unexpected anthropogenic and natural shocks, the Climate
Adaptation & Management Section of the Ministry of Environment, Energy
& Climate Change ( MEECC) has found it mandatory to implement on the ground
approaches to deal with coastal erosion through the use of soft and hard
engineering methods that not only slows down erosional effects contributing to
coastal recession, but also secure the coastlines from further environmental
degradation. Charged with the management, protection and conservation of all
coastal zones in Seychelles, the Coastal Zone Unit is therefore mandated to
implement measures that will not only safeguard our beaches, but also enhance
their adaptation and resilience to factors that undermine their longevity and
aesthetic values. With rock armoring and timber pilings the weapons of choice
to combat coastal erosion, it is however important to assess which methods are
suitable for each individual affected beach as some methods may do more harm
than good in the long-term.
Assessments of coastal protection and
rehabilitation works depend largely on the severity of the coastal erosion as
well as cost implications. Rock armoring as a hard engineering method is very
costly compared to timber pilings which are a softer and less costly method,
but in terms of long-term protection rock armoring is very viable. The objectives
of both methods however, is not only to reduce the impacts of wave energy on
the exposed beaches, but to re-create beaches in the future. These 2 methods
mentioned works well with several other soft components that aims to create
healthy coastal fronts teeming with healthy beach fringe vegetation. If such
healthy coastal fronts are to survive, it is therefore important to prevent
human impacts such as trampling from both humans and vehicles from damaging the
already fragile beach fringes. Trampling is currently being controlled by the
use of large rocks or concrete bollards that are placed on the back dune to
prevent vehicular access on the dunes. When it comes to coastal protection
works or rehabilitation, cost is always a factor and as such, there are several
locations where these structures have been placed to block vehicular access on
vulnerable beaches. More locations have been identified in the inner islands
where these structures have to be put in place to reduce vegetation loss. There
is also the need to re-vegetate such locations in an effort to enhance the
beach fringe ecosystem which plays an important part in erosion control.
Coastal plants have been largely overlooked in the past as effective coastal
barriers, but the emphasis now is on integrated coastal management practices
that not only looks at the human intervention factor to mitigate coastal
erosion, but also the importance of coastal plants in trapping sands which
helps to stabilize the back dunes and helps in re-forming affected beaches.
The intensity of erosion caused
by both natural and human induced factors, constantly pose a threat to the
survival of many coastal flora and fauna that helps to stabilize the
beachfront. Beach fringe plant species consisting of mostly bushes and small trees
such as vouloutye, with its many low branches and extensive root systems, are
vital component in beach stabilization as they decompose and become part of the
soil. The decomposing matter increase cohesiveness, as well as supplying
essential nutrients to the soil necessary for plant growth of emerging
seedlings. The creeping patatran on the other hand spreads over the soil
surface, securing more space for other species to grow and thus helping to form
new land. Aesthetically, they are also beneficial by covering the rock armoring
network when they spread, thus helping to give a more natural look to
re-habilitated beaches that have undergone beach protection works. Coastal
plants should also be credited with absorbing excess salt during the South-East
monsoon, thus protecting the inland native plants from salt spray, whilst their
branches withstand strong winds which would otherwise have affected the inland
plants.
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| Before Picture of Anse A La Mouche (Effects of Erosion) |
One critical observation of
coastal erosion is their ability to undermine and affect beaches that are
important commercial and recreational hubs. With erosion becoming more active
and destructive overtime, many local beaches are losing their pristine character
and social appeal. Many beaches which are well frequented by both locals and
tourists such as Anse A La Mouche, Anse Gaulette, Anse Royale and Anse Kerlan
on Praslin are examples where the beach front have undergone major
transformations due to coastal erosion. In many instances, beaches have receded
to distances of up to 40 metres such as Anse Kerlan on Praslin, whereby
property owners are losing much valued land before their eyes. The continued
threat of erosion is undermining the tourism industry due to the continued
menace of extreme weather events such as storm surges which are increasing in
intensity and frequency. With that in mind, many private properties such as
hotels are approaching the Coastal Unit to seek proper advice on how to deal
with erosion issues near their property. They are seeking the best methods and
practices that will not only counter the erosion issues, but also protect their
properties in the long term. Many establishments participate in the Beach
Monitoring programme which is important as beach profile data collected can
help in making informed decisions on appropriate coastal measures to implement.
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| Before Picture of Anse A La Mouche (Effects of Erosion) |
Supervision of government projects relating to coastal protection works are
also vital as is the supervision of private projects that seeks to protect
vulnerable coastlines. Examples where successful rock armoring and protection
schemes implemented by the then Environmental Engineering and Wetlands section
has occurred include Petite Anse Marie Louise at Takamaka whereby a stretch of
111m of coastline was being scoured by strong waves. This stretch also served
as the sole access road for a number of families residing the upper part of
Petite Anse Marie Louise. The erosion was making it impossible for vehicles to
arrive at these homes, which during the water shortage period in 2008; PUC
bowser trucks could not deliver water to the residents. The Environmental
Engineering and Wetlands Section responded to concerns brought out by the
District Administration and the residents themselves by implementing the rock
beaching project which was polished up by re-vegetation by Takamaka students,
the Seychelles National Youth Council, Lions Club of Paradise Seychelles and
the Environment Department. The project has been highly successful and
effective in restoring and enlarging the road through backfilling and the beach
has been re-formed due to the deposition of sand over the rock beaching.
Another key project undertaken in
2013 was the rehabilitation of the Anse A La Mouche beach that was severely
eroded. The project consisted of rehabilitating 178 meters of severely eroded
coastline by the use of backfilling with coral fill to re-create the dune-land,
installation of timber pilings to protect inland from incoming waves and
trapping onshore sand transport, as well as re-vegetation to stabilize the
newly created dune-land. Upon completion
of the backfilling and timber pilings installation, a landscaping plan was
initiated with various stakeholders to provide a recreational and buffer area
for the Anse A La Mouche coastal front. Beach protection schemes involving rock
armor has also been implemented at La Passe, La Digue. More recently in March
2016, a beach protection scheme involving the temporary dumping of rocks to
protect the road infrastructure at Anse Gaulette, Baie Lazare has been
implemented. This was an emergency response to the continued threat of erosion
that was undermining the road network in that area. Important to note is that
many beach protection schemes have also been implemented by private individuals
and hotels to protect their establishments from the harmful effects of erosion.
Notable examples include the Bel Ombre Hotel coastal Rehabilitation Scheme
involving timber pilings to counter the threat of coastal erosion and at
Paradise Sun Hotel on Praslin. The joint collaboration between the Ministry of
Environment, Energy and Climate Change are very important to ensure that the
projects are done in a professional manner that meets coastal engineering
standards and regulations. Major coastal protection projects are planned for
the future to tackle coastal erosion around the Seychelles. However, the
cooperation and support from the general public are very important if these
projects are to succeed and reach the required results we all seek to achieve.
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Picture of Anse A La Mouche (After coastal protection scheme)
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