Seychelles: Island solutions and capacity building successes

Abstract

Seychelles is a small island state, but a grand ocean nation. Its economy was severely affected by Somali piracy. Illegal fishing and the smuggling of narcotics provide ongoing challenges. This chapter details how maritime security became one of the government's top priorities, and the different measures the country adopted, including a coordination committee and a national maritime domain awareness centre. The country represents a case in which issues are addressed through a dedicated lead agency. The country has benefitted substantially from external capacity building and is hailed as a success of such effort. The chapter revisits the basis of these successes.