Alphonse Island

Conservation Officer

Candice Parkes

Candice was born and raised in a coastal town of South Africa, igniting a deep love for the ocean since a young age. Having always had a fondness for nature, she pursued her passion and studied a BSc in Conservation Ecology & Entomology.
After graduating and backpacking for 4 years, she found herself redrawn to the wildness of the ocean and gained her MSc in Marine Biology in Portugal.
​Her thesis focused on shark behaviours, and it was during this time that her love for diving was ignited and she went on to complete her PADI dive master and GUE scientific diving courses.
She later co-managed Sharklife Center, an NGO focused on using non-invasive methods to study elasmobranchs. Her life has forever revolved around conservation and she uses her passion for freediving and underwater photography to increase awareness and inspire hope into others.


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Assistant Conservation Officer

Luke Cowdry-Howes

Born and raised in the UK, Luke Cowdry-Howes has spent his life living on the coast volunteering in various projects to promote sustainable practices and conserving the environment where he worked as a river warden gaining experience in monitoring wildlife. To follow his dreams of working in this field, he graduated from Southampton University with a Bsc in Marine Biology, with a focus on conservation.
Luke has a deep passion for marine ecology and has a particular love for crustaceans and elasmobranchs making Alphonse the perfect fit. However, he sees the beauty in all life and understands the importance to conserve animals to maintain a rich and healthy ecosystem. It is safe to say the bird species and charismatic giant tortoises have won him over. 
With his new role on Alphonse, he is excited to bring his skills and enthusiasm to a new environment, which he has fallen in love with from the first day. Luke cannot wait for the adventures the next two years will bring and hopes to do all he can to maintain the great work that has been done on the island. 

Senior Conservation Ranger

Christopher Narty ​


​​Chris (also known as Topher) is Seychellois. He attended the Maritime Training Centre (MTC) on Mahé in 2000 to 2002. As part of his training he worked for 6 months on the IDC supply vessels visiting the outer islands of the Seychelles.
​Whilst at MTC he also completed his PADI Divemaster training, following which he went to work as a Divemaster on Alphonse Island for two years.
He continued to gain experience of the waters surrounding the Seychelles by working as a dive guide on liveaboard vessels in the outer islands and as a kayaking guide around Praslin and La Digue.
​His love of the natural world has grown through these experiences and he is happy to be using his keen eye for wildlife and excellent knowledge of Seychelles flora and fauna in his role as Conservation Ranger with ICS Alphonse. Topher’s current interests include fisheries and sustainability.

 Assistant Conservation Officer

Romain Allemann

From the mountain to the sea, Romain arrived from Switzerland as a volunteer on Aride island over a decade ago. Since then, the inherent beauty of this island played a significant role in his life.  The unique ecosystems and moments spent in the solitude of nature on Aride reinforced his commitment in the pursuit of conservation. He later graduated in Switzerland as an engineer in ecosystem restoration and nature conservation.
Before joining ICS on Farquhar, Romain spent two years in South Africa, where he co-managed an NGO called Sharklife Conservation Group and worked as a Marine Research Coordinator. The research primarily focused on monitoring and studying elasmobranchs within a Marine protected Area.
Romain loves any sort of adventure, whether it´s scaling mountains by rock climbing or freediving into the depths of the ocean, he always finds a unique way to experience the raw nature of the world. ​
Ile Aride

Reserve Manager

Jude Brice

Jude Brice is a seasoned conservation and maritime operations professional with over 20 years of experience across Seychelles’ marine industries and protected areas. Now serving as Reserve Manager of Aride Island Special Reserve, he brings a proven track record in island management, logistics, and ecological stewardship built through roles in marine parks, private charter operations, and at Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jude’s career began as a Ranger and Boatman with the Marine Park Authority, followed by skipper roles with Silhouette Cruises and Water World. At Aldabra, he became renowned for his deep knowledge of the atoll’s waters, having dived nearly its entire perimeter and for his leadership in search and rescue operations and navigating piracy threats. As Island Manager from 2016 to 2022, he oversaw infrastructure, energy systems, staff and visitor coordination, and conservation enforcement, while supporting scientific monitoring and leading major initiatives like the Aldabra Clean-Up Project (ACUP).
From 2022 to 2025, Jude served as Base Manager for VPM Bestsails, managing a fleet of charter yachts and leading technical, HR, and client service operations. His expertise spans photovoltaic systems, desalination plants, engine mechanics, and electrical troubleshooting, all skills essential for sustaining remote island life.
On Aride, Jude continues to foster a collaborative, safety-focused environment, empowering teams and supporting biodiversity monitoring. His dedication, resilience, and quiet excellence make him a vital guardian of Seychelles’ natural heritage and hope to be an inspiring figure in island conservation leadership with pride and integrity.

Conservation & Science Officer

Mersiah Rose

Mersiah Rose is a proud Seychelloise with a heart rooted in nature and a mind wired for science. As Aride’s Conservation and Science Officer, she brings a rare blend of curiosity, creativity, and deep ecological knowledge to the island’s conservation efforts.
Growing up surrounded by the beauty of Seychelles, Mersiah always felt a pull towards  the natural world. That passion has taken her across islands and ecosystems, from and forest trails, remote atolls and most recently freshwater rivers. Her work has ranged from biodiversity and long-term monitoring, GIS mapping and sustainability planning, Health and safety, sampling, species identification and data management, always with a focus on making science accessible and impactful.
Before joining Aride, Mersiah co-led freshwater conservation projects with Gaea Seychelles, managed sustainability programs at Constance Lemuria, and supported research at Aldabra Atoll. She’s trained students, guided tourists, and collaborated with NGOs and government teams, all while advocating for data sharing, citizen science, and cultural pride.
Fluent in English, French, and Creole (and conversant in Mandarin!), Mersiah is also a skilled communicator and creative spirit. Whether she’s crafting outreach materials, mentoring interns, or identifying rare fauna, she brings warmth, precision, and purpose to everything she does.
For Mersiah, conservation isn’t just a job—it’s a way of life. Her belief is simple: “To love nature, you must first understand it.” And on Aride, she’s helping others do just that.


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Assistant Conservation Officer

Maria Daniella Aza

Hailing from Mauritius, Maria Daniella holds a Bsc in Biology. She is also a graduated fellow from the Charles R. Wall Conservation Leadership Management Fellowship (cohort 2023), with the African Wildlife Foundation, which included  an internship at Ebony Forest in Mauritius.  She has previously worked for over 2 years as a Passerine Conservation Biologist  based on Ile aux Aigrettes with the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, where she was mainly involved in the monitoring of the Mauritius Fody and the Olive-White eye bird’s population. 
She also worked as the Conservation Leader at Casela Nature Parks for more than 2 years, where she led education programs on biodiversity protection for school and tourists through guided tours and workshops, as well as developing capacity building for staff through training and mentorship programs.
Sharing her passion for unique wildlife has been something that she has always cherished. With her friends, she also developed an awareness campaign on biodiversity concepts via a Mountain Peak Challenge called ‘Rando dans LEO( les-hauts)’ and led several clean up campaigns as a member of the LEO Club.

Other Staffs

Conservation Ranger - Steve Esther, Andy Victor and Micheal Ah-Kong
Asst. Conservation Ranger - Yudrah Oreddy
Operations and Maintenance Officer - Jean-Claude Camille
General assistant- Laurette Asba
Handyman - Stephann Antoine
Astove/Cosmoledo

Conservation Officer

Watch this space, coming soon

Assistant Conservation Officer

Watch this space, coming soon
Desroches Island
From left to right:  James Wareing (Assistant Conservation Officer) and Elisabeth Hein (Conservation Officer).  ​

Conservation Officer

Elisabeth Hein 

Elisabeth (Lisa) is from Germany, holding a post-graduate degree in Nature Conservation & Landscape Planning. Her journey with the ICS began as a volunteer on Aride Island in 2019, where she fell in love with the unique biodiversity of the Seychelles.

Last year, she worked in the rainforests of Papua New Guinea with a conservation organisation, focusing on the protection of critically endangered tree kangaroos. Now, she has joined the ICS team on Desroches, marking her first experience in the Outer Island of the Seychelles.

​Lisa has a special love for birds and plants, and she enjoys drawing the wildlife she encounters in her free time. Her passion for making a positive environmental impact and her dedication to conservation drive her commitment to safeguarding the unique ecosystems of Desroches. 

Assistant Conservation Officer

James Wareing​

James joins us from England and has taken a rather unconventional route towards a career in conservation, having started his working life as a lawyer. For swapping suits for sandals, he has Seychelles to thank as his passion for wildlife and conservation was sparked by volunteering for five months on Aride Island in 2019. Ever since, he has been desperate to come back. Having been inspired to make such a significant career and lifestyle change, he hopes to use his experience to inspire more people to appreciate and look after Seychelles’ exceptional ecosystems. 
Since Aride he has gained practical experience in Papua New Guinea, where he worked on a community conservation project and at bird observatories in Denmark sitting watching birds in the snow. He is very grateful for the return to a warmer climate! Whether working or not, he can usually be found with binoculars and camera close by, keenly recording anything that lives (especially birds and insects). 

Conservation Ranger

Naila Vidot

Naila joins ICS following a two-year course in fisheries science and technology at the Seychelles Maritime Academy. In her first year at the academy, she completed a two-month work-based attachment with the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority in the Ste. Anne Marine National Park, where her daily responsibilities included patrolling and monitoring. Her appointment on Desroches is her first job away from home. She hopes this experience will allow her to gain a first-hand understanding of the awe-inspiring nature and the diverse flora and fauna that inhabit our islands.
Farquhar Atoll

Conservation Officer

Emma Cotton

Emma is from the UK and has several years of experience working in conservation. Having gained a BSc in Zoology, she has developed a passion for island conservation; working within the Indian Ocean for the past few years including Seychelles, Madagascar and Mauritius. She has a keen interest in island restoration and birds. She enjoys all things nature. After working on Aride Island, where she led the conservation team, Emma moved on to Alphonse where she expanded her horizon in marine conservation.
Now based on Farquhar, Emma is looking forward to continue to discovering what the Atoll has to offer and what project she can implement there.
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Senior Conservation Ranger

Julio Confiance

Growing up Julio always had a passion for nature. He studied tourism and tour guiding at the Seychelles Tourism Academy. He then joined ICS on Desroches as a Ranger. It was there that he learnt a lot about sea turtles and the wildlife of Seychelles. He then moved on to Aride Island where he continued to learn new skills in monitoring of wildlife but also on how to handle boats. His skills in tour guiding made him a favourite amongst the visitors to the island.
​Julio has also worked for a short while on Alphonse where he expanded his knowledge in marine conservation. Julio is looking forward to learn more about the Farquhar Atoll. 
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Conservation Ranger / Skipper 
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To be updated soon 

Ile Plate

Conservation Officer

Diary Mbolamahefa Rakotondrazara

With a master's in environmental sciences and mineral chemistry, Diary has worked in conservation and protected areas for over seven years. Her passion for protecting natural resources, plants and animals has taken her to various places in the Indian Ocean. Before joining ICS, she worked with DURRELL Mauritius and Mauritian Wildlife Foundation as a Biologist on Round Island and Ile aux Aigrettes under the Mauritian Island Restauration Internship Program, for one year. She had previously worked as Program Manager in a protected area "TSINGY BEANKA" which is managed by Biodiversity Conservation Madagascar under the guidance of Bioculture Mauritius. She was also the Head of the Training and Research Department, in the protected area "KIRINDY FOREST" in the Western part of Madagascar and had followed different training including one organized by DURRELL Mauritius, Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and CEPF Tany Meva under the "Regional capacity building program on biodiversity conservation and monitoring" in 2019.

Assistant Conservation Officer

Cedric Andriamananarivo ​

Cedric Andriamananarivo is a forestry engineer with a strong passion for nature conservation and ecological restoration. His professional journey has taken him through various projects focused on ecological restoration, sustainable forest management, and biodiversity preservation.
​With solid technical expertise and a deep commitment to protecting ecosystems, he actively contributes to local and regional initiatives aimed at restoring degraded landscapes, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and promoting sustainable practices.​
Today, in his new position, he applies his knowledge in biodiversity conservation and applied ecology to support concrete, impactful actions in favor of nature.

Conservation Ranger cum Sharpshooter/ Eradicator​

To be updated soon 

Silhouette Island

Conservation Officer

Vacant 


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Assistant Conservation Officer

Rico Payet

Rico has a strong background in both marine and terrestrial conservation. Over the past three years, he has dedicated himself to protecting and preserving the natural environment of Seychelles. He holds a Level 6 qualification from Kent University under DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology). He enjoys diving and various other outdoor activities, which reflects his deep passion for nature and the great outdoors.
His conservation journey started in his early adolescence when he developed a passion for diving, which sparked a fascination with the ecological functions of nature. This was further strengthened after he completed a two-year course in fisheries science, which broadened his understanding of many aspects of conservation. Having observed the current state of our environment, he recognized the importance of research to deepen our understanding of what was going on around us. Rico worked on Fregate Island, which boasts an incredible amount of biodiversity, and later on moved to Praslin, where he focused exclusively on terrestrial research, including the control of invasive species in the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Assistant Conservation Officer

Jean-Pierre Barrallon

Jean-Pierre has the academic training in marine sciences and applied experience in environmental conservation. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom. During his university studies, he developed a keen interest in data analysis, particularly for the interpretation of ecological patterns and evaluation of environmental management outcomes. 
During his summer academic breaks, he undertook an internship with the Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA), where he assisted in project management activities related to conservation initiatives and protected area operations. Previously, he worked with the Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (MCSS), contributing to coastal restoration projects in southern Mahé and the monitoring of Hawksbill turtle. 
Since joining ICS and being posted on Silhouette Island, Jean-Pierre has further developed his scientific and personal interests, particularly in the macrography of insects, as well as in scuba diving and freediving.