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D’Arros Island & St Joseph Atoll, Seychelles

SOSF D'Arros Research Centre

Our Centre

For over fifteen years, the Save Our Seas Foundation – D’Arros Research Centre (SOSF-DRC) has conducted research that focuses on marine and tropical conservation in the Amirantes Island group of the Seychelles. Together with the biological diversity and abundance of its sister atoll, St Joseph, D’Arros Island provides an outstanding ocean observatory for scientific research and discovery. Since its establishment in 2004, DRC core research focuses on long-term data collection and monitoring programs, such as a coral reef and turtle monitoring, as well as targeted research projects.

Our Projects

In addition to the ongoing core research programs, up until 2020, the SOSF-DRC has supported more than twenty targeted research projects. These have included the studies of 12 species, such as vulnerable manta rays (Manta alfredi), critically endangered hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and endangered green turtles (Chelonia mydas).

 

Our Location

As the smallest African nation, the Republic of the Seychelles is made up of 115 islands covering 459 kilometres squared of total landmass. Scattered approximately 1,600km off the coast of Kenya, D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll lie roughly 225km southwest of Mahé at 5°S of the equator as part of the Amirantes Island group of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles.

The sandy beaches of D’Arros wrap 5km around and its highest elevation is 3m. D’Arros Island is separated from St Joseph Atoll by a deep channel to the east, roughly 1km wide and about 60m deep. St Joseph Atoll consists of several named vegetated islands, the largest of which is its namesake, St Joseph Island. The inner lagoon of St Joseph is entirely enclosed at low tide and is roughly 7m at its deepest.

Latest centre news
Gain new experiences and skills!
By Henriette Grimmel, 10th February 2025
Open internship position – join our team Download all information here. The natural environment of D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll is among the most ecologically healthy and unique in Seychelles and in the world. More sea turtles come to nest on the beaches, more sharks, rays and fishes swarm…
We are hiring! Become part of the SOSF-DRC
By Henriette Grimmel, 7th February 2025
SOSF-DRC Team Expansion Find all information below in one document here. The natural environments of D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll are among the most ecologically healthy and unique in Seychelles and in the world. More sea turtles come to nest on the beaches, more sharks, rays and fishes swarm…
Seychellois researcher makes waves in the fight to save threatened turtles and tortoises
By Isla Hodgson, 14th November 2024
By developing and adapting a microscopy-based method from avian science, Seychelles-born PhD student Alessia Lavigne is furthering our understanding of reproductive failure in the nation’s turtle and tortoise populations.   Extinction threatens more than half of the world’s turtles and tortoises. Understanding why some eggs fail to hatch is a…
See all centre news

ADDRESS
SOSF D’Arros Research Centre
D’Arros Island
Amirante Island Group, Outer Islands
Seychelles

About SOSF D'Arros Research Centre

To preserve and showcase the ecological integrity of D’Arros Island and St Joseph Atoll through research, monitoring, restoration and education.

Registered international not-for-profit foundation in Switzerland (Reg No: 081.351.201 | IDE: CHE-110.230.312). Registered US nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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