The Seychelles announced two new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) covering 210,000 square kilometers (81,000 square miles), 21 February 2018. The MPAs were created as part of the first ever debt-for-conservation deal, designed by The Nature Conservancy. MPAs includes 74,400 sq. km surrounding the Aldabra Group, and 136,000 sq. km between the Amirantes Group and Fortune Bank. $21.6 million of sovereign debt was purchased at a discount, with repayments now made at more favourable terms to the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT).
For more information, see The Nature Conservancy press release and Marine Spatial Plan Phase 1 documentation.
