Africa-Press – Mauritius. The project “Reef Restoration following the grounding of the MV Wakashio in Mauritius” funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was officially launched on 30 April 2022 at Pointe-aux-Feuilles in Mahebourg.
The Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mr Sudheer Maudhoo; the Minister of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mr Mahen Kumar Seeruttun; the Chief Whip, Mrs Naveena Ramyead; and the National Coordinator of UNDP GEF SGP, Mrs.
Pamela Bapoo-Dundoo were present. In his address, Minister Maudhoo expressed his gratitude to the UNDP and the EcoMode Society for their contribution to protect and conserve marine environment through research and community engagement as well as financial support.
He recalled that the UNDP has been at the forefront of increasing resilience of coral reefs by improving institutional capacity and coral restoration efforts at national and regional levels.
He highlighted the threats to coral reefs which are threatened by global climate change impacts such as sea level rise, as well as human impacts including pollution, habitat destruction and overfishing.
The Minister pointed out that corals within an area of around three kilometers has been covered with dust following the grounding of the MV Wakashio. Coral reefs, Minister Maudhoo recalled are the foundation of food security and coastal livelihoods and also contribute to human survival through the provision of oxygen.
The reef restoration project will develop sustainable partnerships and community-based, business-driven approaches for reef restoration, establish coral farming and nursery facilities, and actively restore degraded reefs, he said.
He also spoke of several facilities being provided by his Ministry to fishermen while adding that Government has earmarked Rs 25 million for their training. He encouraged fishers to fully benefit from the training and help in the restoration works.
For his part, Minister Seeruttun stated that a national coordinated effort is required to develop targets and pathways for coral reef ecosystem recovery and adaptation.
The project, he said will improve understanding on how to use coral reef restoration as a tool for climate change adaptation, provide models for sustainable management of reef ecosystems, and build capacity for long-term restoration and management of these precious habitants for Small Islands Development States.
He called on the population to get actively engaged in promoting the protection and conservation of the marine environment. As for Mrs Bapoo-Dundoo, she dwelt on the importance to restore corals in the affected area and to preserve this genetic heritage so that they are not lost. The primary objective of the project is to restore all the species of coral in the area, she added.
For More News And Analysis About Mauritius Follow Africa-Press
