Bio-diversity

1. Executive Summary The 90 km fringing reef surrounding the island of Rodrigues encloses a lagoon of over 240 km2. An estimated 40% of the lagoon coral and associated ecosystem is severely impacted by destructive fishing practices, siltation from upstream erosion, and pollution from agricultural and sewage run off. Many communities in Rodrigues are dependent on the lagoon, with some 2000 registered fishers attempting to glean a living from the lagoon. More than 900 fishers are estimated to be working in the southern region of the island, where a Marine Protected Area (MPA) has been designated to protect and conserve marine resources, under the project Partnerships for Marine Protected Areas in Mauritius and Rodrigues supported by UNDP, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Mauritius and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly. The South East Marine Protected Area was gazetted in 2009. The total area covered under the South East Marine Protected Area is 43.7 kilometer square out of which 15% are conservation zone, inaccessible to the fisher community and are seasonable zone which will be closed for some time of the year. The total fishing surface area has been reduced whereby, the fisher have to turn to other alternative sustainable means to earn their living. The aim of this project is to provide an alternative means of subsistence for 14 Fisherwomen by building and operating a multipurpose an eco-touristic handicraft Centre. The project will help marine biodiversity by reducing fishing pressure in the lagoon, allowing fishstocks and degraded habitats to recover, while preserving popular diving and snorkeling sites which have healthy coral cover and are home to endemic species of coral and fish. It will also benefit the community in Graviers by improving their income, by providing a better standard of living for the fishers and their families. The population of Rodrigues is expected to increase from 39,200 in 2010 to 44,200 in 2020. This increase on this small island of 104km would mean more pressure on natural resources (fishing, land use, water supply ) which are already threatened. Rodrigues Association Feminine Pecheurs Graviers will implement the project. The Association was formed in 2009 to bring together the fisherwomen of Graviers so that as a group, they can work together with new ideas, carry out fundraising activities and learn from each other. This allows them to sustain their day-to-day expenses and prevent them from going fishing where there are fewer octopus and fish. At the end of the project, direct employments will be provided for at least 14 members of the community. The project will allow the association to have a facility center where they will be able to perform their patchwork, local products to tourists such as local juices, cakes and finished products like local jam, also with a perspective of developing more activities to make it sustainable. A further result will be that this pilot project can be replicated in the different villages within the South East Marine Protected Area to sustain alternative livelihoods for the fishers. This project will also demonstrate financial benefits and empowerment for the local communities, meanwhile preserving the marine biodiversity. It will finally aim at raising awareness on the need to protect Rodrigues marine environment, so promoting marine conservation and fishery sustainability. The total project cost has been calculated at Rs 1901900 of which Rs 1501900 is requested from the GEF-SGP. Contributions towards the remaining costs would be in kind contribution from the members of the Association. International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has joined the initiative to provide capacity building support to the 17 beneficiaries as well as 5 sewing machines and necessary tools to start their business. 5 women from the association have benefitted from training to patchwork garment making and quilt-making in Mauritius in 2011. Organisational Background and Capacity to implement the Project Rodrigues Association Feminine Pecheurs de Graviers, has been established since 2009 and is duly registered with the Registrar of Associations in Mauritius. The Rodrigues Association Feminine de Graviers was created to respond to the demand of the poor fisher ladies of Graviers to be together to be able to gain from training courses and also develop more of the handicraft to earn a living at the end of each month. The Association also organises monthly fundraising activities like dancing in the community centre, to raise funds so that the ladies can have enough supply to do their handicraft products. The President of the Association is very dedicated person, has on her own had the association registered. She has also been trained in how to manage projects in the Leve deboute Programme. More recently, the Association received training from Mrs Papiah in Rodrigues in basic leadership, business management and marketing courses funded by IOM. Five women within the association do sewing and embroidery and wanted to expand their experience so as to create new products to sell to tourists. In that same line, IOM has allowed the five women to follow a training course in Mauritius with Magic Fingers specialized in Patch working and Quilting. Project objectives and expected results Background Fishing is one of the largest employment sectors on Rodrigues, as there is a lack of industrial development and tourism is in its infancy. In 2006, there were 2,024 f

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