Reflecting on more than a decade of dedication to conservation on Alphonse

Born in a family of seven, Christopher (or Topher as he is affectionately called) spent most of his youth on Praslin Island, where he attended school. After two years at the Maritime Academy, he went to Alphonse and worked as a divemaster for 2years, then returned home and occasionally worked in construction with his dad. But the ocean continued to call.

“Every so often, I will spend a stint at sea with some company or other, but I was still unsure what I wanted to do,” said Christopher. At the maritime academy, he had spent his attachment onboard Lady Esme and Lady Genevieve, two cargo ships of the Islands Development Company (IDC), and to this day, he felt that it was this experience that truly made him fall in love with the Outer Islands of Seychelles.
Behind his sunglasses, it is not clear where his mind goes as he stands on the beach on the main island of the Alphonse Group. This tanned, dreadlocked young man is now in his forties and himself a father to a son. Christopher first arrived on Alphonse in 2002, where he worked as a dive master for two years. He did not stay for long, but who would have thought that Alphonse would have a hold on his heart?
After two years on Alphonse, like many young Seychellois yearning for a career at sea, Christopher joined the Indian Ocean Explorer for a diving trip in the outer islands. After that, he did some other odd jobs. And then destiny called.  

“In 2014, my mom told me that there was a position for a Ranger being advertised for Alphonse and Aride by the Islands Conservation Society (ICS). I did not have any preference for either island, but during the interview, I told them I had been to Alphonse already, and that made me successful for the post.”
Conservation was nothing new for Christopher. His mother is a well-known tour guide with expertise in the flora and fauna of Seychelles. His older brother had also worked on Aldabra atoll and D’Arros, so he was keen to expand his knowledge further.

This year, it would be 11 years since Christopher joined ICS, and during all this time, he has stayed permanently on Alphonse, climbing the ranks to Senior Conservation Ranger. 
As he navigates the mini-mahé through the “kannal lanmor” in a bid to reach the St Francois Atoll in time before the tide changes, Christopher shows a mastery of the current in the area that takes years to understand.

“I did not expect to stay this long, but compared to other islands, I found that there is more to learn here, especially in marine-related projects, and continuity is important for such projects, such as satellite tracking of Hawksbill & Green turtles, Red-footed boobies and Frigate, the BRUVs, etc.”

In the vast lagoon of St Francois, the shallow water teeming with large porcupine rays and juvenile sharks, Christopher guides his team to shore. Over 110 bird species have been recorded in the Alphonse Group, making it one of the richest birding sites in the Seychelles outside of Aldabra. Alphonse is also an important nesting and foraging ground for hawksbill and Green turtles, but the marine life is equally impressive, with sharks, rays, dolphins, and other megafauna such as whale sharks regularly spotted.

“I have snorkeled with humpback whales once and dived with bull sharks too!’ he added enthusiastically. “I am not scared of them. If you remain calm, they will come to check you out and leave.”  
Christopher has also had the chance to work on other expeditions, such as Pangea, which explored Cosmoledo, Astove, Providence, St. Pierre, and Farquhar.

After exchanging a few stories about his adventures, Christopher recounts that his best memories have been with the Ocean X, where he went on a submarine dive 1,000 meters below the sea. “I spent around 8 hours in that submarine, and the creatures we saw, including the Dumbo octopus, I have never seen in my life. It was simply amazing!”

Christopher is also grateful to all the Conservation Officers and Assistants, who have helped mold him into who he is. “I have been privileged to work with people who were selfless and ready to share their knowledge with me. In return, I have done the same to all who came to work with me.”
In his easy, polite, and wide-laugh manner, perhaps that comes with island life, Christopher says he might have to move closer to home and family soon.

With a tinge of sadness, he added. “I have no regrets. I have done so many things here, and I have enjoyed Alphonse. The island has become a second home to me.” But the regrets are there, for Christopher says he will be happy to come and help if needed. 

“When I started working on the Outer Islands, it was not easy, but I got used to missing birthdays and so many other things,” Christopher says. “I will not change anything if I could redo it all again. Working on the Outer Islands is a lifetime opportunity to visit and discover what many people will never get to see. It’s not easy, but it's not easy anywhere.”
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With a few wise words, Christopher enthusiastically starts the engine again. It’s time to go back. The ocean has been good to us. We have seen dolphins today. The ocean gives to those who love it back.