Exploring Seychelles’ blue carbon readiness through stakeholder perceptions

Seychelles, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), is pioneering blue carbon integration in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Yet data and governance gaps constrain realising its 2030 target to protect 100% of mangrove and seagrass ecosystems. Using a mixed-methods questionnaire, this study surveyed 103 stakeholders across government, NGOs, tourism, and academia to assess national readiness for translating blue carbon potential into actionable conservation and climate strategies. Respondents recognised coastal protection, carbon sequestration, and fisheries enhancement as the top benefits of these coastal wetlands, while land-use change and pollution were the leading perceived threats. Stakeholders indicated that the public generally views mangroves positively, but sees seagrasses as unattractive or of low importance, highlighting a potential “charisma gap” linked to limited education and outreach. Nearly 90% of research-oriented respondents cited funding and infrastructure shortages as major constraints, though 96% of organisations expressed willingness to support research and education in kind, and almost 2/3 would support conservation actions. The findings reveal encouragingly strong local motivation, but inadequate institutional scaffolding and community awareness to translate intent into implementation. To deliver its 2030 commitments, Seychelles must strengthen inter-ministerial coordination, embed blue carbon into national finance and land-use planning, and scale communication strategies to elevate seagrasses as well as mangroves. These governance priorities provide an evidence-based roadmap for transforming widespread goodwill into measurable conservation outcomes, offering a model for SIDS transitioning from blue carbon ambition to action.