D’Arros Island, a small and remote island in the Amirantes group of Seychelles, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and pristine natural environment. Located beside the St Joseph Atoll, it forms part of an ecologically significant marine area that supports an abundance of marine life, including sharks, rays, sea turtles, seabirds, cetaceans, and vibrant coral reef and seagrass ecosystems. Privately owned and managed for conservation and scientific research, D’Arros Island has restricted access to ensure its sensitive habitats remain undisturbed. With its clear waters and thriving wildlife, the island is recognised as one of Seychelles’ most important sites for marine conservation and ecological monitoring.
To safeguard these exceptional ecosystems, the waters surrounding D’Arros are designated as D’Arros (Marine) National Park under the Nature Reserves and Conservancy Act and form part of Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan (SMSP) Zone 1: High Biodiversity Protection Area. This is the highest level of protection within Seychelles’ ocean management framework, aimed at conserving rare habitats and species.
Overall, the SMSP categorises the country’s waters into three zones: Zone 1, which restricts extractive activities; Zone 2, which allows tourism, research, and certain types of fishing subject to conditions; and Zone 3, which supports a wider range of sustainable economic activities, including commercial fishing. The SMSP was signed into law via the Nature Reserves and Conservancy (Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan) Regulations, SI 18 of 2025. These regulations impose strict penalties for persons committing offences in these areas.
As D’Arros Atoll (Marine) National Park falls within Zone 1, all fishing activities within the 25 km2 area are strictly prohibited, with the exception of subsistence fishing by the island’s residents. This restriction plays a crucial role in protecting the area’s ecological integrity, especially given its function as a nursery for fish, a hotspot for sharks and rays, and a vital site for seabird and turtle foraging and nesting. The protections in place around D’Arros are essential to preserving this unique biodiversity hotspot. Ongoing vigilance and enforcement remains key to preventing illegal fishing and ensuring the long-term health of this remarkable island and its surrounding waters.
For more information on the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan, please visit www.seymsp.com or the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan Facebook and Instagram Pages.
Submitted by the SMSP Unit, Department of Environment and Natural Resources