Although Seychelles is located in the Indian Ocean Whale Sanctuary, few specific surveys for cetaceans have been reported in Seychelles and while there are a few more general surveys, no recent research work has been carried out specifically on this group in Seychelles.

According to these surveys and to several authors, there are 41 species of cetaceans occurring in the Indian Ocean (IWC, 1980). Of these 25 species have been recorded as occurring in Seychelles waters from  various sources including historical bibliography on whaling activities, interviews and personal observations of stranded or living cetaceans.

A number of cetaceans are currently observed in the area, in particular dolphins, humpback whales, sperm whales and false killer whales.

In 2002, the Zoological Society of Paris (ZSP) and the Paris Natural History Museum, the Seychelles Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MENR) and the Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (MCSS)  joined to develop a Volunteer Observer Network for Cetaceans in the Seychelles.

In 2005 an informal Marine Mammal Observatory was set up to provide a central collection point for opportunistic as well as formal marine mammal sighting data. The link below will take you to a sub-web dedicated to Seychelles Marine Mammals; if you have a sighting to report please go to the Sighting Report page.