• 80 direct beneficiaries

  • 85 ha of marine protected areas

  • 6 ha of conservation areas identified

Biodiversity Conservation And Restoration

Local communities, fishermen, tourism operators

Environmental sponsorship

Coastal coral reefs and ecosystems are currently endangered in many of the world’s regions. Although they take several years to form and develop, it takes only seconds for them to die.

This project aims to contribute towards protecting maritime and coastal areas threatened by human activities through an integrated community approach.

CONTEXT

Mauritius is not spared from the recurring phenomenon of coral bleaching, nor from the human pressures caused by activities in coastal areas (tourism, fishing, pollution), despite the establishment of Marine Protected Areas by government authorities. The island’s lagoons extend over 243 sq.km and are enclosed by a 150 km coral reef, home to nearly 200 species of corals among the 800 species recorded worldwide.

In 1998, the coral mortality rate was less than 10% but the last bleaching episode, in 2009, led to a drastic loss of biodiversity and of the coral reef area (more than 75 km of corals) in many of the island’s lagoons. In the Anse la Raie region, the coral cover declined from 60% in 2004 to 5% in 2009. Even today, the destruction of the coral reef continues.

OBJECTIVES

This project has 3 specific objectives:

  • To protect healthy coastal ecosystems and those in poor condition in the Roches Noires and Anse la Raie regions
  • To ensure the sustainability of “Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas” (VMCA)
  • To expand and consolidate collaboration and partnerships with the government and local and international institutions

IMPACTS

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS:

  • Protection of endangered native species
  • Maintenance and growth of coral reefs
  • Gradual restoration of biodiversity in the protected areas
  • Combating global warming (protection of seagrass beds)

SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS:

  • Improved living conditions for fishing families and income diversification
  • Reduced vulnerability to climate change
  • Increased capacity and knowledge building in marine ecology and the protection of marine areas
  • Enhancement of scientific skills
  • Development of ecotourism

EXPECTED RESULTS

  • Identification of two new coastal environments as VCAs (Voluntary Conservation Areas), spanning a total area of 5.77 ha
  • Expansion of the two existing VMCAs (Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas) representing 27 ha in total
  • Training of 15-20 people from each committee managing VCAs and VMCAs in communication and ecosystem management
  • Establishment of VMCA management plans with the participation of community management committees
  • Organisation of 2 community events bringing together 300 people in total
  • Organisation of 4 awareness-raising sessions for young people (25 people/session)
  • Eco-certification of the VMCA under the Mauritius Tourism Ministry standard
  • Promotion of the conservation initiative at a regional conference in Madagascar and during 4 workshops for Mauritian students

© REEF CONSERVATION