Features

Sustainable/Ethical Credentials

Conservation

The first human contact with the Fregate Island brought a number of destructive elements to the unspoilt paradise of the island.  People introduced non-native species such as rats, cockroaches, coconut trees, coco plums, cats and dogs which damaged the islands food chain and eco system.  

Ten years ago the destruction was brought under control and since then the Fregate Island Ecological Programme has continually worked to repair the damage.  Many indigeonous species of plants has been displaced by agriculture based around coconut and cinnamon production.   As part of the programme the largest nursery in the Seychelles was brought into existence in order to propagate the thousands of trees needed to restore the Fregate Island to its pristine ecological state.  

The ongoing preservation and protection of the island’s unique flora and fauna is one of the proudest achievements of Frégate’s team of resident zoologists.

The Fregate Island Ecological Programme

To date, the conservation program on FIP has included:

• Removal of almost all alien invasive species on the island.

• Creation of a nursery to propagate indigenous plants for replanting on the island. The majority of the island has now been restored to the original habitat as it was prior to the coconut and cinnamon monocultures that dominated the area. Tree planting is an ongoing activity carried out by the ecology team.

• Eradication of rats and feral cats and implementation of quarantine process for all goods and boats entering the island.

• Implementation of natural, organic pest control methods.

• Monitoring programs for flora and fauna.

• Conservation management programs for specific species including: the Seychelles Magpie

Robin (the worlds 7th rarest bird), Seychelles Whiteye, Seychelles Terrapins, Giant

Tenebrionid Beetle, Seychelles Giant Millipede and the Giant Aldabra Tortoises. Each of

theses species have seen an increase in population size, and in several cases have been downgraded in their endangered status due the efforts on FIP. FIP also successfully cooperated with other islands in the Seychelles in order to arrange the translocation of the Magpie Robin bird species in order to re-establish further populations.

Tortoise Adoption Program

Amongst Frégate Island’s oldest indigenous residents are the incredible Aldabra Giant tortoises. Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, the island is now home to the second largest wild herd of these remarkable creatures in the world, inhabiting one of nature’s last sanctuaries. Today, Frégate Island’s tortoise nursery is a thriving conservation initiative where young Aldabra Giant tortoises are cared for in a preservatory for the first two to three vulnerable years of their lives, until they are ready to live securely on their own in the island’s jungle. For a fee, guests can ‘adopt’ a baby tortoise and by doing so safeguard its care until such time as it is ready to join the herd and fend for itself. Continuously, young tortoises are released back into the wild after ‘graduating’ from the nursery, taking the island’s steadily growing population beyond 600.

Products, Food and Beverage

• The spa uses only natural products (most of which are sourced from the island) and there is no product line, only hand made natural ingredients.

• Approximately 95% of the fresh produce consumed on the island in the restaurants and staff canteens is grown in the organic plantation and the hydroponics operation.

• Local food is emphasised in the restaurant menus, and guests are often encouraged to choose locally grown products when the option is available.

• No packaged foodstuffs are provided in the guest mini-bars, only fresh fruit and baked goods prepared by the kitchen.

• FIP has a second restaurant for guests specialising in the traditional food of the local Creole people, using almost entirely ingredients grown on the island or within the Seychelles.

• No single use toiletries or hygiene products are available for the guests; all are in refillable ceramic containers and boxes. Toiletries are mixed in bulk on the island.

• Minimal or no drinks in aluminium cans in the villa mini?bars

• Minimal imported water, guests drink water sourced and bottled on the island

• Use of environmentally friendly cleaning products

• Several vegetarian meal options are offered with every meal.

Guest Education

• Guests are welcome and encouraged to visit the organic plantation and the hydroponics

operation, and dine there if they wish.

• Every Thursday guests are invited to drinks with management where a selection of the produce grown on the island is displayed so that guests may ask questions to staff and the resident ecologist.

• Guests are offered and encouraged to go on a nature walk around the island with the ecology manager.

• Information provided for guests asking them to consider the environment when deciding how frequently to have towels and sheets changed.

• A museum has been established to showcase artefacts and historical information about FIP and the Seychelles.

Energy & Mobility

• Solar water heating in staff housing and spa.

• Use of solar buggies for guest villas (this replaced the old petrol buggies).

• Contact sensors switch off air conditioning if villa sliding doors left open.

• Energy efficient lighting.

• Intention to implement efficiency project, switch to renewable energy and carry out offsetting to have the operations carbon neutral by 2011. Baseline studies have already been conducted.

Water / Waste

• A new sewage treatment plant has been installed, with all treated water reused for irrigation in the plantation.

• Left over food from the restaurants is donated to the staff canteen.

• Rubbish separated for transportation and disposal on the main island.

Actis GmbH is an official spin?off organisation of the ETH Zurich Community & Staff

• The local orphanage on the main island is supported with weekly deliveries of fresh food grown on FIP (totalling 3 tonnes per year).

• Single, targeted community charity project each year e.g. last year every first grade school child in the country was supplied with a school starter pack with basic materials for learning.

• Employ around 45% locals (Seychellois).

• Interns and students are taken on for vocational training.

• Above average pay and medical benefits.

• Opportunity to save salary as all living expenses are covered when on the island.

• Staff activities program including birthday parties and sport activities.

• Basic facilities are available for staff recreation: sports field, marina beach and playground.

• The housing provided for staff is of a high standard.

• The staff members who directly interface with guests (namely the personal assistants) undergo extensive customer service and food and beverage training, which is repeated every year.

• Artwork and decorations are sourced mainly from local artists.

Links

http://www.fregate.com/data/pdf/en/Fregate_Island_Private_-_Ecology_Jan_08.pdf

http://www.fregate.com/data/pdf/en/Fregate_Island_Private_-_Ecology_Jan_08.pdf

http://www.fregate.com/data/pdf/en/government_annual_report_2010.pdf

http://www.fregate.com/data/pdf/en/government_annual_report_2010.pdf

http://www.fregate.com/data/pdf/en/statement_michelle_grant_eth_zurich.pdf

http://www.fregate.com/data/pdf/en/statement_michelle_grant_eth_zurich.pdf

Sustainable Awards

Dining

Transfers and Connections