Page 16 - Mauritius REPORT

Convention on Biological Diversity

Mauritius became the first country to sign and ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on
the 10 September 1992 (MAIFS, 2017). The ratification expressed Mauritius’ readiness to conserve

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biodiversity, ensure fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources, and sustainable use of genetic
components. The Mauritian Government expressed this commitment through the completion and
approval of the 2006-2015 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAP) as required
under Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Country Profile
In response to the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Mauritius has identified and increased the proportion
of protected area. It has proclaimed 3 Ramsar sites (the Blue Bay Marine Park, the Pointe d’Esny
The Republic of Mauritius
Wetland and Rivulet Terre Rouge Estuary Bird Sanctuary), 8 islet national parks, 6 fishing reserves and
2 marine parks (MAIFS, 2017). Rodrigues’ marine protected area (MPA) is estimated at 59 square
kilometres and has 4 marine reserves and 1 multi-use marine protected area (CBD, 2019). Plans are
underway to proclaim 6 marine protected areas (MPAs) under the West Indian Ocean Marine Eco-
Region Project (CBD, 2019).

Other actions to protect biodiversity include:
• Ratified the Nairobi Convention and Protocol for the Protection of Marine and Coastal
Environment of the Western Indian Ocean from Land Based Sources and Activities (2010)
• Banned the extraction of coral sand
• Prepared the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2017-2025
• Mauritius has significantly contributed towards the Agulhas and Somali Current Large Marine
Ecosystems (ASCLME)
• Mauritius is committed towards addressing land-based sources of pollution through participation
in the Western Indian Ocean-Land Based Sources (WIO-LaB) Project
• Mauritius has banned the extraction of coral sand
• A ban on the use of plastic bags
• A ban on the disposal of any form of plastic into the sea

Mauritius has enacted a number of law regarding marine governance as follows: Environment
Protection Act (EPA) 2002, Fisheries and Marine Resources Act 2007, Aquaculture Business
Activities Act, National Environmental Policy, 1999, Corporate Social Responsibility Policy, National
Development Strategy of 2003 and 2008, Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan (ICZM) of
2009, Mauritius Sector Strategic Plan on Tourism (2008-2015), and the Action Area Plans for the
Tourism Zones.

Some of the laws put in place to protect the marine and coastal ecosystem includes:

Maritime zones, shipping and Marine economy

• Ratification of the Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982
• Renewal of Protocol on Fisheries Partnership Agreement between EU and Mauritius
• The China-Mauritius Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
• Negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Partnership Agreement (CECPA)
• Increased the issuance of clearances to seafarers serving Mauritian and foreign vessels

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