President Danny Faure received the Chair of the Nekton Trustees, Mr Rupert Grey, at State House this afternoon.

The President thanked Mr Grey for his support in making the Seychelles Nekton deep ocean exploration a success, and expressed the Government’s full appreciation for his efforts. On his part, Mr Grey thanked President Faure for his consistent support of the expedition, and for his visit last weekend which gave Nekton additional international coverage. On Sunday 14 April, President Faure became the first Head of State to make a live television address from a submersible 124 metres below ocean surface.

The President and Mr Grey discussed the increased public awareness of ocean conservation as a result of the expedition, and how to sustain the momentum. President Faure was keen to see the findings from the mission shared with young people in local schools, and showing the vast possibilities of a career in marine science. They also discussed future avenues of cooperation between Seychelles and Nekton, particularly in terms of advocating together on the international stage for greater ocean protection.

“Thank you very much, and to your team at Nekton, for all the hard work in making this mission a big success. Seychelles will continue to play a leadership role in promoting ocean conservation, and facilitate the work of Nekton wherever possible. As champions of the Blue Economy in Africa, Seychelles is determined to encourage Governments to take action in this important area,” said President Faure.

Mr Grey invited Seychelles to attend the State of the Indian Ocean Summit in 2022 in Oxford, where the full findings of Nekton’s expeditions across the Indian Ocean will be presented. Speaking to the press after the meeting, Mr Grey said that President Faure’s involvement with the expedition made a big impact worldwide, and that his advocacy was crucial in raising global awareness on ocean conservation.

Rupert Grey is the Chair of the Nekton Trustees, and was formerly Legal Counsel for the Royal Geographical Society, Operation Drake, Raleigh and others.

Also present at the meeting was the Principal Secretary for Environment, Mr Alain De Commarmond.