Your customer or buyer is asking for ESG information about Seychelles supply chains. Here is what the regulatory environment requires.
The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean with a population of approximately 100,000. It has the highest per capita income in Africa, driven primarily by tourism and fishing. The Seychelles is a global pioneer in blue economy finance — it issued the world's first sovereign blue bond in 2018, raising $15 million to support sustainable marine fisheries. The country has committed to protecting 30% of its ocean territory. Seychelles is relevant for ESG compliance primarily in the context of tuna and seafood supply chains, tourism, and as a model for blue economy sustainability frameworks.
Key regulations in Seychelles — ESG Supplier Guide
EU IUU Fishing Regulation — Indian Ocean Tuna
The Seychelles is one of the world's most important tuna fishing and processing hubs — Victoria (the capital) is home to one of the world's largest tuna canneries. EU importers of Seychelles tuna must comply with the EU IUU Fishing Regulation. Seychelles is a member of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) and has a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the EU.
EU CSRD — Blue Economy and Climate Physical Risk
The Seychelles is highly vulnerable to climate change — coral bleaching (the 1998 El Niño event bleached 90% of Seychelles coral), sea level rise, and ocean acidification threaten both the tourism and fishing industries. Under EU CSRD, companies must assess and disclose climate-related physical risks. The Seychelles' world-first sovereign blue bond is a model for blue economy ESG financing.
EU CSDDD — Tourism and Seafood Supply Chains
EU companies operating in Seychelles tourism and seafood supply chains will be required under CSDDD to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence. Key ESG issues include: labour rights in fishing and tourism, environmental management of marine protected areas, and sustainable fisheries management.
Seychelles Data Protection Act & Cyber Obligations
Seychelles' Data Protection Act 2003 (amended) requires data controllers to implement security measures for personal data. The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) oversees telecommunications cybersecurity. Seychelles is developing its cybersecurity framework. International buyers from the EU, UK, or USA will assess Seychellois suppliers — particularly in the financial services and tourism sectors — against their own data protection standards. Suppliers should implement incident response procedures aligned with international best practice.
What this means for you as a supplier
Seychelles is a low-risk jurisdiction with strong environmental governance and a pioneering blue economy framework. Tuna and seafood exporters must comply with EU IUU regulations. The world's first sovereign blue bond demonstrates the Seychelles' commitment to sustainable fisheries. CSRD climate physical risk disclosure is required for EU companies with Seychelles supply chain exposure.
Key dates
FY2024 (ongoing)
CSRD — climate physical risk disclosure for Seychelles supply chains
Ongoing
EU IUU Regulation — tuna and seafood catch documentation required
July 2029
CSDDD Phase 1 — supply chain due diligence including Seychelles suppliers
The world's first sovereign blue bond — a blue economy ESG model
In 2018, the Seychelles issued the world's first sovereign blue bond — a $15 million bond backed by the World Bank and supported by the Global Environment Facility, with proceeds dedicated to expanding marine protected areas and developing sustainable fisheries. The blue bond was structured to incentivise the Seychelles government to expand its marine protected area coverage from 0.04% to 30% of its exclusive economic zone — a commitment the country has largely fulfilled. The Seychelles blue bond has become a global model for blue economy finance, inspiring similar instruments from other island nations and development finance institutions. For EU companies with Seychelles supply chain exposure, the blue bond demonstrates the country's commitment to sustainable fisheries management — a positive ESG attribute under CSRD and CSDDD. The Seychelles' approach to blue economy governance — combining marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries management, and innovative finance — is increasingly referenced in EU sustainable finance frameworks as a model for ocean-based ESG.
Last reviewed: April 2026. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulations change — verify current requirements with a qualified adviser.
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