Africa-Press – Mauritius. A virtual signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation between the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping and the University of Sunshine Coast, Australia, for the implementation of a Sea Cucumber Project was held, today, at the seat of the Ministry in Port Louis.
The Minister of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping, Mr Sudheer Maudhoo; the High Commissioner of Australia to Mauritius, Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr R.
K. Bunjun, were present as well as the Vice Chancellor, University of Sunshine Coast, Professor Helen Bartlett, who intervened virtually. The signatories of the MoU were Mr Bunjun and Professor Bartlett.
In his address, Minister Maudhoo recalled that Australia and Mauritius have growing collaboration in the blue economy, including through the Commonwealth and Indian Ocean Rim Association where both countries share a commitment towards the development of fisheries, aquaculture and maritime security and safety and conservation of the marine ecosystem. He outlined several areas of cooperation between the two countries.
They include: signing of a MoU in 2006 between the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Fisheries of Mauritius and the Department of Fisheries Government of Western Australia aimed at joint cooperation and exchanges of technical and scientific information in the field of fisheries and fisheries management; the signing of a MoU by the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation of Australia in 2019 for scientific cooperation; and the acquisition of a new Multi-Purpose Support Vessel, namely Investigator II in 2020, which was co-funded by the Governments of Mauritius and Australia under the Australian Food Aid Programme.
Furthermore, officers of the Ministry have benefitted from various short courses and trainings in fisheries management, blue economy, and ocean governance under the Australia Award Programme. The Ministry also signed a MoU with Curtin University for cooperation in the field of marine science research.
Speaking about the Sea Cucumber Project, Minister Maudhoo stated that it is high on the Ministry’s agenda adding that the expertise from Australia will help to enhance the knowledge of Mauritian scientists in this field.
The signing of this MoU, he said, bears testimony to the commitment which Mauritius as a Coastal State, has expressed for the sound development of its fisheries sector to build up strengths to improve the economy. He also stated that the MoU is an effective tool for cooperation to strengthen conservation and management measures of the sector.
As regards the objective of the project, he indicated that it aims to acquire the expertise from Australia to train the staff at the Albion Fisheries Research Centre in the sea cucumber seed production and also establish and monitor field culture trials in the hatchery and nursery culture phase.
According to him, this will empower Mauritian scientists both from the Albion Fisheries Research Centre and the Mauritius Oceanography Institute in the culture of sea cucumber techniques for the regeneration of sea cucumber in our lagoons.
This will help to recover the stocks of this valuable resource and thus pave the way forward for the sustainable exploitation of the resource for economic benefits, he added.
Minister Maudhoo further acknowledged the expertise of Professor Paul Southgate from the University of Sunshine and his team which will be crucial in implementing the Sea Cucumber Project with the brood stock management, seed production, and feeding techniques.
Professor Southgate had already made a scoping visit to Mauritius from 17 to 22 June 2019 and prepared a work plan which will be implemented in the near future.
For her part, the High Commissioner of Australia, underlined that the signing of the MoU bears testimony to the depth of partnership between Mauritius and Australia.
She said that the project comes at a critical time when small island nations are battling the impacts of COVID-19 and looking for ways to enhance food security.
Dr O’Shaughnessy also highlighted that it is a proud moment for an Australian institution to partner with the Government of Mauritius for such a laudable initiative.
Intervening virtually, the Vice Chancellor, University of Sunshine Coast, said that sea cucumber is a very valuable resource and brings high economic benefits when exploited.
It is of utmost importance to ensure sustainable management of resources through best available scientific advice and use the precautionary approach to achieve our goals, she added.
Professor Bartlett expressed confidence that the three-year agreement of the project will pave the way for sustainable growth and economic development of Mauritius.
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