A guide for planners and managers - IUCN

262 MARINE AND COASTAL
PROTECTED AREAS
the reef fish community on Cousin reefs to be far higher in diversity and biomass than
any of the other areas investigated.
From 30 to100 hawksbill turtles nest annually on Cousin, and according to
published studies is the most important breeding site in the Western Indian Ocean
for this species. Small numbers of green turtles also nest. The transformation of the
coconut plantation into a forest of indigenous species (notably Pisonia grandis) has
taken place through BirdLife’s restoration work. About half of the 129 plant species
on Cousin are probably native to the Seychelles. Five terrestrial birds endemic to the
Seychelles currently occur, including the recently translocated Seychelles magpie-robin.
The seabird fauna is spectacular. Seven species of breeding seabirds nest in numbers
exceeding 300,000 individuals. Another six species of seabirds regularly roost but do
not breed there. Neither rats nor cats, which have wiped out many indigenous faunas,
have been introduced to the island.
Thirty years after acquiring Cousin, BirdLife International facilitated the
creation of BirdLife Seychelles in January 1998 as a locally registered and managed
NGO and as its national arm. Under the new management there has been no significant
change in conservation priorities, but practices and systems are being developed to
be more in line with those used in protected areas and conservation organizations
elsewhere. Since the management take-over new administrative and financial practices,
as well as programmes of research and monitoring, education and public awareness,
marketing and training activities are being implemented by BirdLife Seychelles. A
new Management Plan finalized in May 1999 now guides all activities. The Management
Plan contains a Vision for the Reserve, Goals and Objectives. An annual Work
Programme based on a Logical Framework (LFA) is intended to put the Goals and
Objectives into practice.
The island is open to visitors four times a week (Tuesday to Friday) but there
is no overnight accommodation. Access is by sea. The Reserve’s legal status means
that the usual public domain access to any beach in Seychelles below High Water mark
does not apply. Visiting parties are brought by private boats, local tourist operators,
charter boats, yachts and cruise ships. Landing on the island is only permitted via
the Reserve boat and only on open days. All non-resident visitors need to be in
possession of a valid ticket (implemented in 1998). Wardens who provide interpretation
and identification take visitors around the reserve twice a day. Entry to residents is
free; foreign tourists pay a landing fee of about US$20. A colour brochure describing
the Reserve is supplied free to visitors. Revenue generation, mostly from landing fees,
has so far been sufficient to run the island, but any special projects need to be funded
from outside sources.
Research, which was previously driven largely by the priorities of individual
scientists, is now controlled by BirdLife Seychelles and based on the Objectives of
the Management Plan. A research station, which can house about 4 scientists, is
available. Housing, electricity, water, field assistance and transport to Praslin is