Bio-diversity

The goal of this project is to support the effective management of the Marine Protected Areas of Rodrigues (Indian Ocean). Rodrigues is a semi-autonomous dependency of the Republic of Mauritius, situated within the Mascarene Archipelago, a recognized global biodiversity hotspot. The island is of volcanic origin and is encompassed by an extensive fringing reef, with a wide shallow lagoon that covers an area of 240 km2. Intensive fishing pressure in the lagoon has resulted in drastic declines of both fin-fish and invertebrate landings and degradation of lagoon habitats. In recognition of the status of the marine resources, the Rodrigues Regional Assembly (RRA) has gazetted new MPAs and efforts to improve the management of the lagoon s living marine resources are gaining momentum. The new MPAs include four marine reserves in the north (covering 24.2 km2), which were selected by the local communities with the support of the local marine NGO Shoals Rodrigues under a grant of UNDP/GEF/SGP, and gazetted in 2007, and; a larger multiple-use MPA in the south (covering 43 km2) which was co-funded by a UNDP-GEF project, and gazetted in 2009. A Marine Reserve Coordination Committee (MRCC) has been established composed of representatives of the relevant Government Authorities; representatives of the Fishers Associations; the local marine NGO (Shoals Rodrigues) and other key stakeholders. A management plan has been prepared for one of the four northern reserves (Rivi re Banane); the areas have been demarcated and other activities are in progress. The proposed project will support these ongoing efforts, and in particular the MRCC s capacity to manage the new marine reserves in the north. The project outcomes will include: (1) A final joint management plan for the four new marine reserves in the northern Rodrigues lagoon. The plan for Rivi re Banane will be revised and a joint plan prepared to include the other three reserves. The planning team, consisting of a technical sub-committee of the MRCC, will draft the plan and devise cross-cutting action plans to ensure that the four sites can operate efficiently in an integrated manner. Stakeholders will continue to be consulted during this process. (2) Increased capacity in the MRCC to effectively manage the new marine reserves in the northern Rodrigues lagoon. Training will be provided in planning, monitoring and effectiveness evaluation methods, to aid decision-making and adaptive management. (3) A revised monitoring programme for the new marine reserves will be devised, to ensure that the biophysical, socio-economic and governance indicators selected are appropriate for monitoring the effectiveness of all the MPAs. The programme will engage community monitors and tour guides in monitoring. A rapid response plan will be put in place for coral bleaching and other incidents, such as a pollution/oil spills. (4) Information about the new reserves in Rodrigues will be effectively communicated to the public at the national level and more broadly within the region and internationally. The Shoals Rodrigues Association is a non-governmental organisation whose objectives are to promote marine environmental awareness, provide training to ensure a local capacity for marine environmental research, conduct studies of different marine ecosystems, and give training to educators and trainers. The Association has access to a well equipped, purpose-built marine research, training and education centre, from which comprehensive study of the octopus fishery has been undertaken and a programme of education and training for fishers established. Additional biodiversity and oceanographic research is also ongoing. Education initiatives have targeted primary and secondary school students, teachers, youth leaders and other interested adults, and training in methods for marine environmental education and monitoring techniques has been given. The total project cost has been calculated at Rs5, 240,780. The contribution requested from the UNDP GEF/SGP is Rs1, 574,799. Shoals Rodrigues have committed Rs448, 023, the Rodrigues Regional Assembly have committed Rs1, 734,348 and Dr Rebecca Klaus and Dr Emily Hardman have committed Rs211, 200 in kind time, tours operators Rs396,000 and UNDP/GEF/SEMPA in materials Rs74,250. RECOMAP is committing Rs. 802,160.

Mauritius