Consultancy on a Review of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Control and Eradication Activities in Seychelles and Development of a Field Guide on IAS Management

BACKGROUND

Invasive Alien Species are reported to be the single greatest threat to native species and habitats in Seychelles. This is typical of remote islands in the ecological vulnerability of its biodiversity to IAS. The Environmental Management Plan of Seychelles (EMPS) has a specific objective to "Control invasive exotic species", with as indicators: "Spread of invasive exotics reduced", and "Invasive exotics controlled or removed from key areas".

Seychelles has taken impressive steps to eradicate invasive alien species from small islands and to restore small island ecosystems with ENGOs taking a strong lead in this endeavour, often in co-operation with private island (resort) owners. The country is also taking a number of actions to control invasive fauna and control weeds on larger islands, where technology and/or costs permit.

Despite this considerable practical field experience in the control of IAS, there is little documentation on "lessons learned" and "best practices" available, and there are no agreed models on effective control and eradication measures.

COMMISSION

The PCA will review past and current IAS eradication practices and evaluate evidence of their effectiveness and efficiency. The Group will document lessons learned and best practices, and establish a guide, manual, or protocols on IAS control and eradication measures in the field.

We will:

• Collect and collate all available documentation on past and current IAS field control and eradication programmes in Seychelles, including estimates of their costs.
  
• Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of past and current IAS field control and eradication programmes through literature review, interviews and site visits.
  
• Present findings of the review to stakeholders in an appropriate forum and manner, and derive comments for inclusion in a 2nd draft report.
  
• Present the 2nd draft report to an international and national panel of experts.
  
• Develop a Field Guide on IAS control and eradication from responses to the Review.
  
• Present the IAS Field Management Guide, manual and protocols to main stakeholders and international experts for comment.
  
• Integrate these comments into a Final Report.