In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’d like to introduce one of our newest EDGE Fellows, Sylvanna Antat. Women from across the globe have been supported by the EDGE Fellow programme and they, like Sylvanna, are now spearheading conservation action for some of the world’s most neglected EDGE species.
I remember that my childhood years were spent dreaming that I would one day become a journalist. I wanted to go everywhere, find out new things, and meet new people. Today, as an adult, I have travelled to many fantastic places, I find out new things every day, and I’ve met people from all around the world. But I’m not a journalist. I’ve done all of this as a Marine Researcher with the National Parks Authority in the Seychelles.
I have been working as part of the team conserving the Seychelles’ natural environment, coast and marine ecosystems for the past five years. Over that time, I’ve greatly enjoyed myself, especially working in education and awareness, and now, as an EDGE Fellow, I’m taking on some new challenges.
As part of my EDGE project, ‘A study of the role of Marine Protected Areas in the Conservation of three EDGE coral species‘, I will be diving at some new sites and collecting information about three EDGE coral species: Physogyra lichstenteini, Parasimplastrea sheppardi and Catalaphyllia jardinei.
My EDGE Fellowship project incorporates all the work that I have been doing so far, including education and awareness; information sharing; monitoring and survey methods; mapping; building co-operation; and increasing capacity and will allow us to gather information about some very rare and unique coral species. This information will be shared within the country and region to improve the conservation efforts that are already in place, and to better direct future efforts, ensuring the survival of EDGE species in the Seychelles.
Sylvanna’s EDGE Fellowship is supported by the Darwin Initiative; the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology at the University of Kent; and ZSL’s EDGE of Existence programme.