Due to the severe decline in sea cucumber populations caused by overfishing, the Minister of State at the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries, Mr. Gilles Fabrice David, emphasized the need to protect marine resources and ensure the long-term sustainability of Mauritius’ lagoon ecosystem.
On Friday, February 21, 2025, the minister visited the Albion Fisheries Research Centre, where the government, in partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia, is leading a sea cucumber aquaculture project.
The visit aimed to assess the initiative’s progress, which seeks to recreate natural conditions in controlled environments to repopulate Mauritius’ lagoon with sea cucumbers. He was accompanied by Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to Mauritius, Ms. Katie Lalor, and other officials.
Minister David stated that strict regulations remain in place, prohibiting sea cucumber harvesting until December 31, 2029, as years of overexploitation have led to their near disappearance from local waters.
He explained that the project focuses on breeding sea cucumbers in laboratories before reintroducing them into their natural habitat. He expressed confidence that this initiative would not only restore sea cucumber populations and ecological balance but also create opportunities for sustainable aquaculture in Mauritius.
The Australian Deputy High Commissioner highlighted the shared commitment of both countries to marine conservation, sustainable fishing, and the blue economy. She reaffirmed Australia’s support for the initiative and expressed optimism about its long-term impact on environmental restoration and economic development.
The government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia for research and training, with hatchery operations set to begin in 2025. The Australian government is providing 12.1 million Mauritian rupees for the sea cucumber seed production project, running from August 2024 to July 2026.
Source: ionnews
