Achievement Report Curieuse August 2017

Report Title: Under 18s Make a Big Impact on Curieuse

Objective: Long term - Increase scientific knowledge and baseline data on the health of ecosystems
on Curieuse Island, and continue to minimize our environmental impact on Curieuse Island and raise
awareness of environmental issues amongst volunteers and visitors.

Summary
For two weeks in August, we had 6 under 18 volunteers join us, helping us to achieve a massive
amount of survey work, adding to our data on our ecosystems. Notably, some of the under 18s were
part of a group that managed to find our first hawksbill turtle nest of the season. Upon departing, all
left with a richer knowledge of the conservation work we do and environmental issues both in the
Seychelles and globally.

Report
Whilst GVI Curieuse normally carries out work with over 18 volunteers, for two weeks in August six
under 18s (U18s) from across America joined us. With one of our long term objectives being to
increase scientific knowledge and baseline data on the health of ecosystems on Curieuse Island,
having an extra 6 volunteers plus two dedicated U18s staff members, enabled us to achieve a huge
amount of survey work. Arriving at 7.45am each morning from their accommodation on nearby
Praslin, they would launch straight into the mornings survey. After lunch, a second survey would
commence, before they would depart back to Praslin.

With turtle nesting season fast approaching, we have continued our beach cleans, to maximize our
nesting habitats. The U18s were enthusiastic, and keen to get involved and we collected 3 bags of
litter. Each of our beaches are checked at least once a week for any turtle nesting activity, and it was
in the two weeks that the U18s were here that the first hawksbill activity and nest of the season was

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successfully located. Although unconfirmed, we believe this is one of the first, or perhaps even the
first documented nest of the season in the Seychelles, so a massive achievement for us.

Still relating to the coast, we had two full survey days of beach profiling, which allows us to measure
the changes to our beaches over time, monitoring erosion and accretion patterns. The U18s also had
a morning working with two of the flycatcher reintroduction staff, helping to clear invasive
vegetation and plant native plants along the coast near our base, enhancing the habitats for when
the paradise flycatcher bird is introduced to Curieuse in the future.

Still staying coastal, whilst the U18s were here they learnt about the different mangrove species on
Curieuse and after successfully completing a group review, mangrove survey work commenced.
With the water level amongst the mangroves sometimes knee deep, and many mangrove roots to
climb over and navigate through, the U18s were absolutely brilliant at working together as a team to
help us achieve our survey objectives, whilst also keeping it fun. One of our U18s had previously
carried out a school project on mangroves, but having never actually seen them, was delighted to be
able to put her knowledge into practice and gain practical experience.

Our second plant based survey on Curieuse is the coco de mer growth survey we carry out on these
endemic palms, naturally only found on Praslin and Curieuse. Working with our regular volunteers
and staff, we navigated through the forest and measured some of our seedling, juvenile and
immature trees. Having extra volunteers on these surveys helped us to carry out the different
measurements relating to leaf length more easily, and collect valuable data.

The penultimate survey the U18s helped with was our giant tortoise work, both the adult census and
also with the hatchlings. For the adult tortoises, this involves locating each tortoise on the island,
identifying it and taking various measurements. As with the coco de mer surveys, this work is made
vastly easier by having more hands, especially if youre working with a slightly uncooperative
tortoise! Some of the U18s favoured filling in our data sheets, whilst others enjoyed a more hands
on approach, but all contributed to gathering data. For the tortoise hatchlings, this involved scanning
each one to ensure they have still retained their PIT tag, and taking a register of all present in the
tortoise hatchery.

The last type of survey the U18s were involved with, was BRUV baited remote underwater video
which involved deploying a video and bait at different locations around the island, and then
analyzing the footage back at base. Whilst surgeon fish, trevally and remora were the main stars of
the videos, it was an enjoyable and educational session, allowing the U18s to see and learn about
fish that they would not otherwise see. All were very keen to use the fish identification books, and
learn more about the fish we saw.

It was a full two weeks, however time was also put aside for non-survey work, such as group
snorkels, beach days, a trip to Vallee de Mai, and a hike to the top of Mount Curieuse.

Overall, we achieved a huge amount in the time the U18s were here, and whilst they left the
Seychelles with lots of knowledge and new experiences, they also provided the staff with new
learning opportunities by asking lots of questions and asking for extra information. All of the surveys
we completed during this period directly go towards achieving the short term objectives, under the
over arching long term objective of increasing scientific knowledge and baseline data on the health
of ecosystems on Curieuse Island. Importantly, as well as the scientific knowledge side, we also
ensured that we worked towards another objective; by raising awareness of environmental issues
amongst volunteers, such as climate change, habitat degradation, protected areas, invasive species
and at risk species.

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