Cabinet decisions impact port security
Cabinet addresses maritime issues
SEYCHELLES: The commitment to establish a Port Control Unit (PCU) at the port by next month was approved during the latest cabinet meeting.
During the meeting, the cabinet also endorsed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and key national enforcement agencies, including the Seychelles Revenue Commission, Seychelles Port Authority, Seychelles Police Force, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment.
The initiative will implement the Container Control Programme to enhance inter-agency cooperation and combat illicit trade through maritime cargo.
The Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan (SMSP) also received attention during the meeting and is now approved as required under the Nature Reserves and Conservancy (Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan) Regulations, S.I. 18 of 2025.
This marks the final step in fulfilling the country’s commitment to protect 30% of its marine territory and operationalise the plan under law, in line with the 2016 debt conversion agreement for ocean conservation. The approval of the MSP Plan and NRCA regulations sign into law and completes the MSP objectives:
■ designate 30% in marine protections
■ advance the Blue Economy
■ address climate change adaptation
The marine spatial plan document underwent a 28-day public review period, and all comments were addressed and incorporated into the revised plan that was presented to the Executive Committee at the end of April for approval and recommendation to bring to cabinet for approval.
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