”Conservation of Threatened Marine Megafauna Species in Mauritius» is a long-term ongoing project, launched in June 2021. Mauritius, as part of the Mascarene Islands, is one of the internationally recognised “biodiversity hotspots”. In particular, in its waters can be found about 15 species of cetaceans, more than 10 species of sharks and 4 of the 7 living species of sea turtles, many of which are endangered species with declining populations trends and are under constant pressure from a variety of anthropogenic threats such as collisions with ships, pollution, gillnets, by-catch, habitat loss, tourism, poaching. Thus, Mauritius has a rich, valuable but vulnerable asset that requires immediate steps to conserve biodiversity, especially for species that permanently inhabit the waters of Mauritius and are an integral part of the marine ecosystem. 

The goal of the Project is protecting the habitats of threatened marine megafauna and contribution in improving the conservation management. 

The main activities of the project: 

1. Assessment and long-term monitoring of dynamics of populations of threatened marine megafauna species: Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) – Vulnerable status IUCN Red List, Grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) Endangered status IUCN Red List, Whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) – Vulnerable status IUCN Red List, Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) – Endangered status IUCN Red List and Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) – Critically Endangered status IUCN Red List.
2. Developing recommendations on mitigation measures for authorities to implement these measures in Marine Spatial Planning 

3. Sensitization and education of local residents and communities, including the younger generation both offline and online

4. Collaboration and data exchange with local and international organisations and institutions involved in marine megafauna

The project is implemented with the permission of the Mauritian authorities: 

Prime Minister’s Office Department For Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration & Exploration (CSMZAE), Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping (MBEMRFS).

The project is funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme, Blue Water Diving Centre and private donations.