Focus Areas: Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Ocean Governance and Policy, Environmental Regulatory Frameworks, Environmental Impact Assessments, Sustainable Fisheries Management, Blue Economy

Ms. Saratha Naiken joined the University of Seychelles (UniSey) in April 2025 as a Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Sciences and as a research collaborator with the James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute (BERI). She holds an MSc in Marine Science and Climate Change from the University of Gibraltar and a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science from UniSey.

Her postgraduate research focused on the morphology and migration of Yellowfin Tuna in the Western Indian Ocean, providing new insights into regional stock movements and supporting sustainable fisheries management strategies.

Saratha’s broader research interests sit at the interface of marine science and policy, with a focus on fisheries, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem resilience, and evidence-based governance. She has conducted field research and collaborative projects with the Seychelles Fishing Authority, Save Our Seas Foundation, and Monaco Explorations, working on reef sharks, manta rays, and other marine ecosystems. Her methodological expertise includes GIS mapping, morphometric analysis, and environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, applied to the sustainable management of marine resources.

She is committed to advancing practical, policy-relevant solutions that strengthen the resilience of Seychelles’ marine ecosystems and contribute to the sustainable development of the country’s blue economy.