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Reef Conservation

Reef Conservation is dedicated to the protection and sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems in Mauritius. Our main activities include:

  • Education and awareness by engaging with the community about the importance of marine conservation through educational programmes and campaigns.
  • Conducting scientific research and monitoring of the health of marine ecosystems to better inform conservation strategies.
  • Conservation and community work through collaboration with coastal communities to implement conservation initiatives and sustainable practices.
  • Training and capacity-building to enhance skills and knowledge in marine conservation and sustainable resource management.

 

Accreditation Number with the National Social Inclusion Foundation: N/1130

Contact this NGO
Services offered
  • Visits to our educational and research centre, Nauticaz
  • Visits to the Bis Lamer
  • Lagoon surveys
  • MQA certified training
  • Development of educational tools
  • Holiday club for youth
History

Reef Conservation was established in 2004 under the original name "Marine Conservation Management Consortium" to execute a project funded by the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme, which aimed to deploy fixed mooring buoys to prevent boats from using their anchors. The initial project deployed four buoys at popular dive sites in the North, and following its success, the project was expanded nationwide.

 

The organisation was subsequently renamed "Reef Conservation" and became an independent entity. Since then, Reef Conservation has broadened its focus to include marine environmental education, collaboration with coastal communities and fishermen to establish voluntary conservation areas, and the development of an eco-guide training programme for unemployed youth. Today, it also works with the Ministry of Fisheries to strengthen the management of Marine Protected Areas around Mauritius​.

 

Please visit our website: www.reefconservation.mu for more information.

Objectives
  • To promote community integration with marine conservation and resource management through research, education, and training
  • To implement projects to promote the conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems and the management of resources
  • To encourage the Mauritian population to respect existing maritime laws and protect marine and coastal ecosystems through activities and awareness campaigns
Main achievements

Here are some of our notable projects:

  • Nauticaz (2010): Inauguration of our educational and research centre, Nauticaz. This centre is open to everyone and aims to educate visitors about Mauritius' coastal and marine ecosystems and the importance of their preservation.
  • Bis Lamer (2014): Operating since September 2014, the Bis Lamer extends our awareness and education activities to all regions of the island, primarily targeting schools.
  • Eco-Schools (2015): Launched in May 2015, this international programme developed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) actively promotes environmental education, engaging audiences of all ages through school education, staff training, and general awareness. Reef Conservation is the national coordinator for Mauritius and Rodrigues, with nearly 100 schools participating today.
  • Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas (VMCA) (2009): Since 2009, Reef Conservation has been developing the innovative concept of Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas in Mauritius. These zones, selected by the coastal community and various stakeholders whose livelihoods depend on marine resources, act as natural reserves where destructive or extractive activities are prohibited. Scientific monitoring is also conducted in these areas to better understand their functioning and validate the preservation effects on the lagoon.