🇲🇺MauritiusEast Africa
Mauritius launches Ocean Week to accelerate sustainable blue economy transition
via Le Mauricien4 min read
Mauritius has launched Ocean Week, marking a pivotal moment for the nation to advance its sustainable and resilient blue economy. The Minister of Agro-Industry highlighted Mauritius's extensive Exclusive Economic Zone, the 20th largest globally, and emphasized the country's obligation as a large oceanic and small island developing state to adopt sustainable ocean plans. The conference features high-level roundtables on blue finance, marine renewable energy, and the blue economy. The Minister stated that the ocean, currently contributing about 10% to the GDP, is targeted to double its contribution within ten years. He cautioned that this expansion must not compromise biodiversity, noting that a well-protected ocean offers opportunities for increased sustainable economic activity. Promising sectors include offshore wind, tidal energy, aquaculture, and maritime trade. Lessons from coastal erosion in Tamarin and the Wakashio Oil Spill underscore the importance of protecting and restoring marine ecosystems, with the Minister mentioning that Mauritius's case regarding the Wakashio incident will be heard before an international court. Coral reefs and mangroves are recognized as natural fortresses for coastal protection and carbon capture. The fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which causes an estimated $10-11 billion in annual losses in the SADC region, is also a priority. Strategically, four action areas have been defined: human capital, policy, finance, an
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
The Mauritian government's 2026-2027 budget, presented by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Navin Ramgoolam, prioritizes environmental protection and climate resilience. Measures include a 4 billion Rupee allocation for the Coastal Erosion Adaptation Programme to rehabilitate over 11.5 kilometers of severely affected coastline across 17 priority sites over the next five years. The budget also emphasizes nature-based solutions like reforestation, wetland preservation, dune restoration, and coastal vegetation rehabilitation, alongside the development of a National Shoreline Management Strategy. The revival of the Maurice Île Durable project, now integrated into the country's ecological transition strategy, and the creation of a Just Transition Commission are also highlighted. Eco-citizen groups Mru2025-AKNL and Platform Moris Lanvironnman offered mixed reactions. Carina Gounden, spokesperson for Mru2025-AKNL, views the budget announcements as largely confirming existing initiatives rather than introducing groundbreaking changes. She welcomes the focus on nature-based solutions but stresses the need for courageous decisions and better inter-institutional coordination. Gounden also notes the decision to no longer grant new leases for state lands and Pas Géométriques under the G+2 regime for apartment sales to foreigners, though she believes its scope is limited as it doesn't affect already approved projects or the preservation of undeveloped Pas Géométriques. A major concern
The construction of the Rivière des Anguilles Dam is anticipated to commence this year, with completion projected for 2029. This announcement was made by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, despite the project having been announced in 2009 and facing numerous delays. The Central Procurement Board is expected to award the construction contract in the coming weeks. Two Chinese firms, China International Water & Electric Corp and Sinohydro Corporation Limited, are currently in contention, with project cost proposals ranging from 5 to 7 billion rupees. The project will be financed by a consortium including the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Saudi Fund for Development, and the Arab Bank for Economic Development. Public Utilities Minister Patrick Assirvaden confirmed that construction could start around November or December. The dam is considered a strategic project aimed at enhancing national water storage capacity, improving resilience to climate change, and ensuring a sustainable water supply for the growing demand in the southern part of the island. It is expected to benefit 50,000 to 60,000 families in the South, Southeast, and Southwest regions, which frequently experience water shortages during dry periods. The Rivière des Anguilles, which will supply the dam, is known for its clean water, with an estimated 1.8 million cubic meters per month currently lost to nature and the sea. The dam will be a rockfill structure with a bitumen watertight lining, approximately 2,200 meter
Adi Teelock, a member of Platform Moris Lanvironman and an environmental activist, states that the construction and operation of infrastructure for artificial intelligence development, particularly data centers, carry significant environmental and social costs due to their high energy and water consumption for cooling. She emphasizes that in a country facing water stress and an energy crisis, which disproportionately affect low-income households, the government needs to clarify its policy on these issues. Teelock also expresses concern about the M4 highway, which primarily benefits individual transport and real estate projects, questioning its environmental impact and its ability to improve inter and intra-village connectivity given inadequate public transport. She argues that projects like the M4 highway and urban regeneration in the port area require technical, financial, environmental, and social feasibility studies, as well as strategic environmental and social assessments, due to their climatic, environmental, and social costs. Teelock highlights the critical importance of ocean health in the context of climate and biodiversity crises, urging that policies in this area should not exacerbate these existential threats. While acknowledging positive announcements regarding coastal protection through nature-based solutions, tourism, solid waste management, agroforestry, food security, solar electricity, and the water sector, she stresses the need to see the related strategies