Page 18 - Mauritius REPORT

27 per cent of the total population live within the coastal zone (Statistics Mauritius, 2019). There are
likely to be impacts on economic activities as this is the area where infrastructure is well-developed
and contributes to supporting the economic development of the country. Further impacts of salt water
intrusion will be felt on the ecosystems such as wetlands and mangroves.

Sea temperature rise
The rise in the marine temperature also results in bleaching of the coral reefs resulting in a significant
Country Profile
loss of live corals. The increase in temperature due to global warming, translates into a sharp increase
in the seawater temperature, which facilitates micro algal bloom. These microscopic algae produce
toxins and use up oxygen resulting into massive death of fish.
The Republic of Mauritius
The constraints
Hotspot for disaster

Mauritius is a likely hotspot for disaster when an extreme climate related natural event hits. It is ranked
13th in the world with a world risk index of 15.53 per cent. Although the society is not so vulnerable,
the exposure of the population, natural and built environment to climate related hazards such as
cyclones, sea level rise among others is quite high. When combined with low adaptive capacity, this
puts the country into the high-risk category. Mauritius is the 7 most exposed country in the world with
th
an exposure rate of 37.35 per cent (UNU, 2016).

Inadequate shoreline protection

There is opportunity to address this through the construction of groynes and sea walls using hard
engineering approaches so as to halt the weakening of coastal structures through coastal erosion
(MAIFS, 2015). Some of these have been highlighted in the sections above.

The opportunity

Supportive legal and policy framework:
The effects of climate change on the key sectors of the Mauritian economy, tourism, fisheries and
agriculture has been noted. There is opportunity to address some of the identified issues using the
existing legal framework. The Environmental Protection Act (2002) is the overriding legislation that
provides for management of coastal ecosystems including addressing issues of coastal erosion and
guiding coastal development.

The Tourism Development Plan for Mauritius is the strategy that tourism sector which is driving the
growth in Mauritian tourism. However, to minimize impact from this sector, it is important if the
requirement for Environment Impact Assessments is enforced and mitigation measures monitored
to ensure minimal impacts on the coastal zone. Other important policies include the National
Development Strategy, Policy and Planning Guidance for Coastal Development produced by the
Ministry of Housing and Lands

Mauritius has also ratified the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
and the United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification.

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