Climate Finance & Parliament: Seychelles’ Committee on Environment, Fisheries & Tourism (CEFT), chaired by Speaker Hon. Azarel Ernesta, met to map its climate finance strategy and set out a 2026 work plan as it takes on Steering Committee duties for the Parliamentarians for Climate Finance Project. Biodiversity on the ground: Ranger-led drone surveys on Assomption Island mapped invasive plants, with sisal targeted across 21 zones using thousands of high-resolution images to support Seychelles Islands Foundation biodiversity work. Marine protection challenge: A new study warns that drifting fish aggregating devices can interact with and strand inside marine protected areas, showing why “lines on the map” can’t stop mobile gear. Microplastics monitoring push: Scientists from 21 African countries, including Seychelles, are harmonising coastal microplastics monitoring protocols using nuclear and isotopic techniques to improve comparable data and policy decisions. Sustainable tourism momentum: Seychelles celebrated a major cruise season jump, with over 40 cruise ship calls and a new Cruise Tourism Strategy now in validation, alongside a push for smaller, premium and expedition vessels. Circular economy in rum: On World Rum Day, Takamaka Rum at La Plaine St. André highlighted waste-to-wealth practices, from reusing containers to recycling glass and composting process waste.