Attaching coral to reef on Cousin Island in Seychelles. Photo By Paul Anstey.
27 November 2018, Mauritius and Seychelles – The Governments of Mauritius and Seychelles, two small island developing states off the coast of Africa, have accessed a new US$10 million grant from the Adaptation Fund to restore their reef ecosystems.
The new six-year project, supported through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will focus on coral reef restoration which eventually will contribute to protect the island nation’s growing tourism industries – which account for over 30 percent of national GDP and employ approximately half the population in both countries – at the same time ensuring food security for fishers who depend on the reefs to feed their families, and reducing risks from high-intensity storms.
The project will develop sustainable partnerships and community-based, business-driven approaches for reef restoration, establish coral farming and nursery facilities, and actively restore degraded reefs. On a regional and global level, the project will improve understanding on how to use coral reef restoration as a tool for climate change adaptation, provide models for sustainable management of reef ecosystems, and build capacity for long-term restoration and management of these precious habitants.
Mauritius has taken on international acclaim as a diving and beach destination in recent years. Coastal zone activities, especially tourism, account for 36 percent of GDP in Mauritius.
“With reefs protecting beaches from coastal erosion, serving as a wave break to insulate hotels and other valuable coastal infrastructure from rising seas, and providing artisanal fishers with food for their families, these delicate and threatened ecosystems are essential to the national economy,” said Mr. V K Daby, Permanent Secretary of the Mauritius Ministry of Ocean, Economy, Marine Resources and Shipping.
According to UNDP, beaches in Mauritius have shrunk by as much as 20 meters over the last few decades due to higher seas and weakened coral ecosystems. The government indicates the connected loss of tourism to the beaches here could cost over US$100 million per year by 2060 if nothing is done.
The new project will restore reef habitats in Blue Bay Marine Park, which features a new park center, and research and education facilities, and the South East Marine Protected Area, located off the coast of Rodrigues.
“The people of Mauritius rely on these reefs for their lives and their livelihoods. It’s our most important natural resource. Through the new project, we will not only restore the reefs, we’ll also train our people to protect them and build a culture of conservation to preserve these natural treasures for generations to come,” said Daby.
Over 300,000 visitors come to Seychelles every year to explore the beaches and pristine waters. The tourism industry now accounts for 46 percent of the nation’s GDP, about US$600 million per year, with over half the nation employed in tourism. Unfortunately, challenges such as coastal erosion due to increased and stronger storm events, more widespread and severe coral bleaching due to global warming of the ocean, and other impacts have taken their toll on the nation’s coastlines and marine ecosystems.
Through the project, coral reef restoration works will be launched at Curieuse Marine National Park, Cousin Special Reserve, Saint Anne Marine National Park and Anse Forbans in the waters off Seychelles.
The Adaptation Fund was established under the Kyoto Protocol of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and since 2010 has committed US$ 512 million to climate adaptation and resilience activities, including supporting 77 concrete adaptation projects.