Strengthening Marine Ecosystems: The Case of Mauritius

The Nairobi Convention serves as a regional platform to address the challenges facing coastal and marine ecosystems in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) through collective interventions, dialogue, and partnerships. Contracting Parties, including Kenya, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, Reunion (France), and Seychelles, collaborate on national and regional actions to mitigate environmental stresses, aiming for both socio-economic and global environmental benefits. Contracting Parties agreed on national and regional actions to mitigate environmental stresses, including implementing the Strategic Action Programme (WIOSAP) to protect the region from land-based pollution.

This GEF-funded WIOSAP project aimed to reduce impacts from land-based sources and activities and sustainably manage critical marine and coastal-riverine ecosystems by implementing priority initiatives in collaboration with national and regional partners. These collaborative actions contribute to the enhanced and thriving Western Indian Ocean Region. The Nairobi Convention through WIOSAP supported Mauritius in its efforts towards sustainable development, climate change adaptation and mitigation, marine conservation, and ecosystem restoration. This support focused on the following flagship initiatives:

Assessment of Blue Carbon Ecosystem (Seagrass) around the island of Mauritius: Relevance for Marine Spatial Planning in Mauritius implemented by the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries & Shipping

Mauritius is home to diverse coastal habitats critical in blue carbon storage. Mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes absorb and store carbon dioxide, regulate climate, provide coastal protection, harbor rich biodiversity, and support conservation efforts. The government of Mauritius is actively involved in initiatives such as mangrove reforestation, the establishment of marine protected areas, public awareness campaigns, and international collaborations to protect and restore blue carbon ecosystems.

Seagrass meadows are a crucial natural carbon sink due to their ability to store significant amounts of organic carbon in their sediments, aiding in climate change mitigation. While countries in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions have recognized the importance of blue carbon ecosystems, countries in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), like Mauritius, are now showing interest in this area. Mauritius launched a two-year project by the Nairobi Convention Secretariat´s WIOSAP project and funded by the Global Environment Facility.

The problem

The main pressure on seagrass: sea-based activities and coastal development.

Seagrass beds are cleared out for a more appealing lagoon to the tourists (ESA report, 2009; Daby, 2003).

Seagrass meadow distribution has been receding since the advent of coastal development.

Overfishing and anthropogenic activities also affect the seagrass beds via mechanical destruction and pollutant inputs.

Intervention

WIOSAP through the project titled “Assessment of the Blue Carbon Ecosystem (Seagrass) around the Island of Mauritius,” aimed to determine the status of seagrass in Mauritius, assess its carbon sink potential, and develop strategies for conservation and generating blue carbon credits. The project involved surveys on seagrass density and distribution, the establishment of permanent monitoring stations, sediment coring to determine carbon storage, analysis of carbon sequestration content, and a national campaign on seagrass conservation. Mapping, ground truthing, and monitoring were conducted at specific sites around the island to gather data for the project.

Components of the project included;

Component 1: Seagrass Assessment & Monitoring around the island
Component 2: Assessment of Blue Carbon Storage Capacity
Component 3: Sensitization & Educational Campaign

Outcome

The seagrass mapping contributed to the country’s national MSP process. The project’s outputs led to the inclusion of seagrass protection in the revised country’s Fisheries Act of 2023 and the creation of a Blue Carbon Task Force in 2024 with clear milestones by 2027 which must achieve specific outputs that were given

Seagrass mapping and monitoring were done and a map depicting the distribution and diversity of seagrass species in the lagoons of Mauritius was created.

Acquisition of continuous long-term monitoring data on seagrass and its health status

Seagrass protection included in the new Fisheries Act 2023

Blue Carbon:

Carbon storage capacity determination at selected sites

Potential for generating blue carbon credit for trading

Sensitization:

Awake conservation awareness in public and sea user

What Next

Setting up of national blue carbon task force that will bring blue carbon practitioners to work together towards capacity building, and nature-based solutions, involving blue carbon ecosystems as well as bring forth recommendations, potential implementation, and finance adaptation opportunities on a national level.

Mauritius recognizes the importance of seagrass in carbon sequestration and is taking proactive steps to conserve and rehabilitate these vital ecosystems. By prioritizing the preservation of blue carbon habitats, Mauritius is demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) Coral culture for small-scale reef rehabilitation implemented by the Mauritian Oceanographic Institute

In Mauritius, coral reefs play a critical role in the socio-economic development of the island whereby healthy coral reefs significantly contribute to coastal protection, fisheries, and tourism industries and for the preservation of biodiversity. Despite their importance, the reefs of Mauritius, like other reefs worldwide, are being impacted by climate change and other anthropogenic and natural disturbances.

Over the decade, the Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) has successfully created techniques for coral cultivation on land and at sea for conservation purposes. In 2017, MOI began a community coral cultivation project in Mauritius, training coastal communities, including fishermen, in coral cultivation and reef rehabilitation. The project aligned with the government’s push to promote coral cultivation as an alternative livelihood.

WIOSAP through the Nairobi Convention and GEF, partnered with MOI to help mitigate climate impact on coastal communities through coral restoration, training, and raising environmental awareness. The community-based coral culture project was initiated in 2017 to train coastal communities in coral culture and reef rehabilitation techniques, aligning with the government’s goal of promoting coral culture as an alternative livelihood.

Objectives

To set-up of sea-based demonstration farms for the culture of selected resilient corals for rehabilitation of degraded reef sites.

To train stakeholders and coastal communities in coral culture and reef rehabilitation techniques hence providing additional skills to the communities.

To strengthen the environmental awareness of the community, to emphasize the significance and conservation aspects of corals and coral reefs.

To mitigate the impact of climate change on coastal communities by implementing coral reef restoration initiatives using selected resilient corals.

Outcome

The project facilitated the construction of multi-layered rope nurseries at Poudre D’Or, Le Morne, and Bambous Virieux, where 1,050 sq m of degraded sites were restored through replanting with coral fragments under continuous maintenance.

The project has aided the registration of 61 eco-guide trainees at three earmarked regions in Poudre D’Or, Le Morne, and Bambous Virieux.

The training program also enhanced awareness and restoration techniques of the local coral ecosystem.

As a result of this project, the Government of Mauritius proposed in the national budget statement to support Climate Change mitigation actions, which includes restoring 250 coral gardens.

The Government of Mauritius has proposed supporting Climate Change mitigation actions in its national budget statement, including the restoration of 250 coral gardens.

The project involves setting up demo sea-based coral farms, training coastal communities, transplanting corals to restore reef ecosystems, and raising awareness on coral farming. It aims to enhance national reef rehabilitation efforts by expanding restoration to more sites and integrating into MOI’s existing reef rehabilitation program. This initiative will help restore degraded critical coastal habitats with resilient coral species while transferring technology to train stakeholders in coral culture and reef rehabilitation techniques.

Trained workforce in the field of coral culture and reef rehabilitation.

Restoration of reef ecosystem services through rehabilitation of degraded reef sites. Sensitization of the public at large and promotion of environmental stewardship among fishers and local communities.

Monitorable/Measurable Milestones

One (1) DEMO coral farm established at each site, with each farm comprising three (3) nursery units harboring a total of 2500 aqua-cultured resilient coral nubbins per site

15 participants trained at each project implementation site

At least 3 trained eco-guides per site

At least 200m2 of degraded reefs rehabilitated at each site

At least 1000 members of the public sensitized about the project

Availability of sensitization materials (i.e. 1000 flyers, 100 booklets, 100 polo-shirts, 300 CDs with movie on Reef Rehabilitation)

Habitat restoration and attraction of seabirds to Ile aux Aigrettes (Mauritius)

Mauritian Wildlife Foundation

The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) is a hotspot of biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine; However, the region is experiencing increasing cumulative impacts. The combination of high biodiversity and increasing threat makes the WIO an important focus for conservation. The social and economic situation of Mauritius has been assessed in the Ecosystems Profile. However, more specifically, Grand Port District (in which Ile aux Aigrettes lies) is a coastal region, with low levels of development, although there is some major infrastructure (e.g. airport) and projects in the pipeline (e.g. Smart Cities).

The local population is mainly employed in fishing and agriculture, and there are pockets of poverty and associated social ills. One of the major threats to islands in the WIO is invasive species. Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are species introduced outside their native range by human action that consequently have negative impacts on the environment and can have devastating impacts on native biodiversity, such as birds, through direct predation and habitat disturbance.

This project aimed to enhance ecosystem restoration on Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve and its surroundings, promoting seabird-friendly habitat and colony re-establishment. Ile aux Aigrettes is a 26-hectare low coralline island declared a Nature Reserve in 1965. Restoration efforts began in 1985 to restore the coastal vegetation community and reintroduce missing flora and fauna components. The project was funded by the Global Environment Facility through the Nairobi Convention to relieve land-based stresses, improve water quality, and manage river flows. This initiative aligns with UNEP’s efforts to protect marine habitats and prevent species extinction.

Objectives

Create an ecosystem to support populations of plants, birds, reptiles, and insects.

Support conservation work in general and enable Mauritians to learn about conservation and appreciate their natural heritage and the importance of biodiversity.

Raise national pride and international profile – Ile aux Aigrettes is an internationally recognized model of island conservation in the world and a genuine ecotourism destination.

Outcome

The project cleared over 14 hectares of invasive alien plants, identified 1 hectare of land suitable for seabird return, and reintroduced 486 native plants (especially seabird-friendly grasses for nesting).

The project also showcased ecosystem restoration to 12,500 visitors (including school children) and trained 20 guides on seabird restoration. These endeavors have been undertaken to restore the island’s habitat and foster an environment conducive to seabirds.

The foundation has reintroduced native species like Pink Pigeons and Olive White-eyes as part of ecosystem restoration.

The island also hosts Aldabra Tortoises as ecological replacements for extinct Mauritian tortoises.

Removal of invasive alien species by applying bio-security measures to prevent the entry of unwanted animal and plant species.

Forest rehabilitation: planted rare native species and reconstitution of the pristine environment suitable for native fauna reintroduction.

Educated Mauritian school children of all ages and students through support to a structured visit to the island called ‘Learning with Nature’ (LWN).

Raised awareness of the local community and tourists through guided visits. Visitors to the island learn about the restoration project’s significance and the importance of seabirds in the marine and coastal ecosystem

Produced high-quality educational material on biodiversity.

The project employed local laborers to clear invasive species, replant native plants, and create suitable open habitats for seabirds like common noddies and tropicbirds. Life-size seabird dummies and call playbacks were used to attract real seabirds to the island, creating a safe landing and breeding space. By restoring seabird populations on the island, the project will strengthen the connections between seabirds, conservation, healthy fisheries, and food security.

Project beneficiaries

Mauritian Ecosystems, Mauritian Biodiversity.

Decision makers, scientific community including local and international university students,

The Mauritian population and its future generations, school children, tourists and the world at large.

Republic of Mauritius, regarding meeting national biodiversity targets (e.g. the National Biodiversity and Strategy Action Plan 2017-25) and fulfilling obligations towards international biodiversity conventions (e.g. Rio Conventions, Aichi Targets, Millennium Development Goals).