Enhancing socio-ecological production landscapes & seascapes at ‘Riviere du Cap’ wetlands to reduce pressure on the marine ecosystem in Mauritius

Overview

This project, based on the South East coast of Mauritius at the mouth of ‘Riviere du cap’ in Maconde village, aims to improve the understanding and management of SEPLS sites in Mauritius. Fresh water flowing from the mountains mixes with salt water from the ocean, making this wetland area very rich in biodiversity - including endemic flora and fauna. However, the area is not adequately conserved and is used as a dumping ground for […?]. The main objective of the project is to restore and revitalise this SEPLS, thereby enabling ecosystem services to benefit the fishing community including families in Maconde village. The planned activities include an introductory workshop on SEPLS for the fishing community, followed by a more in-depth capacity building workshop on crab culture. EPCO will be collaborating with a local organization called ‘Le morne basket trap and line cooperative society’. The output of the project includes better management of the project site by the fishing community as well as increased family income, and eventually decreased impact on the lagoon through, for example, bycatch and overfishing.