New Wetsapp Mobile Application Advances Wetland Monitoring in Seychelles
VICTORIA, Seychelles — Nature Seychelles, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Energy, and Natural Resources, has officially launched Wetsapp, a mobile application designed to revolutionise wetland monitoring across the country.
The launch took place yesterday at L’Escale Resort, attended by Environment Minister Marie-May Jérémie, representatives from the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust, the European Union, partners from the EU-funded Wetlands of Hope project, community members, local technology entrepreneurs, and students from the LEAP Junior Club at Anse Boileau secondary school.
Developed under the Wetlands of Hope project, Wetsapp represents the latest addition to Nature Seychelles’ Smart Islands initiative. The application addresses long-standing challenges in wetland data collection including disorganised records, limited personnel, and difficulties in analysing field data.
Chief executive Nirmal Shah described the app as a citizen science tool designed for private sector partners such as hotels, Air Seychelles, banks, and individual wetland managers. He stated this digital tool accelerates environmental protection efforts by bringing 21st-century technology directly into Seychelles’ conservation work.
The application was developed in six months with direct input from the LEAP team at Nature Seychelles and customised for local conditions by data scientist Dr Jessica Nasica. By providing standardised and user-friendly platforms, Wetsapp enables monitoring teams including Ministry staff, conservation partners, school clubs, and community volunteers to record biodiversity, identify threats, and track restoration efforts.
The launch followed successful beta-testing at the Ramsar site at Constance Ephelia Resort where wetlands practitioners tested the application in real-world conditions.
