Ocean Health Index (OHI) has ranked Seychelles first in Africa in marine health assessment

The Ocean Health Index assessment was conducted by the US-based National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) and the global non-profit organisation Conservation International. It draws attention to the management of the world's oceans, on which millions of people depend for food, jobs and other vital benefits.

Environmentalists in Seychelles praised the island nation's strong conservation practices, which resulted in a ranking of 77 out of 100.

The State Secretary for the Environment at the Ministry of Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Alain Decomarmond, said: "This shows that we are on the right track nationally to make a difference. The index shows that we are doing very well - for example in biodiversity - when it comes to conserving and protecting our seas."

In an article published in Africa News, OHI senior scientist Ben Halpern said "an annual, comprehensive diagnosis for the world's oceans provides decision-makers with information and knowledge they can use to implement effective policies for improved sustainable ocean management".

A total of 10 elements are assessed to arrive at an overall score for a country's ocean health, including food supply, biodiversity, coastal livelihoods and economies, tourism and recreation, artisanal fishing opportunities, clean waters, carbon storage and others.

"They take into account many different factors. They do studies on chemical pollution, runoff from the land, agricultural inputs.