Restoring Mauritius’ Blue Meadows
NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS FOR PROTECTING THE COASTAL ZONE IN MAURITIUS
Mauritius’ seagrass meadows are vital ecosystems that stabilise coastlines, support fisheries, store carbon, and protect communities. Yet they are declining under pressure from coastal development, erosion, and climate change.
The Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Protection project (2021–2026) is funded by the European Commission and brings together Reef Conservation (Mauritius), the World Maritime University, and Södertörn University. Our goal is to restore degraded seagrass meadows and generate the science, tools, and partnerships needed for sustainable coastal management.
Our research areas
We focus on key lagoons: Roches Noires (restoration trial site), Mont Choisy, Bel Ombre, Albion, Bain Boeuf, Le Morne, and Wolmar.
Project highlights
– Roches Noires Restoration 2025 – Mauritius’ first hands-on seagrass restoration trial.
– Biodiversity Monitoring with eDNA – revealing hidden species in seagrass meadows.
– Blue Carbon Insights – quantifying the climate benefits of seagrass ecosystems.
– Citizen Science for Coastal Stewardship – training fishers, students, and hotel staff to monitor and protect seagrasses.
Our objectives
Seven objectives guide our work:
– Understanding coastal community perceptions
– Mapping and characterising seagrass meadows
– Restoring degraded seagrass habitats
– Citizen science and awareness
– Measuring blue carbon potential
– Revealing biodiversity and connectivity
– Recommendations for policy and management
Partners & Support
This project is implemented by:
Reef Conservation (Mauritius) – leading local implementation and community engagement.
World Maritime University (Sweden) – bringing expertise in ocean governance and restoration science.
Södertörn University (Sweden) – contributing ecological and blue carbon research expertise.
Funded by the European Union
This project has received funding from the European Union (2021–2026).