World Ocean Day: Minister Boolell calls for enhanced maritime legislation to safeguard Mauritius’ EEZ

The Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) and the Institut Français de Maurice (IFM) organised an Interactive Meeting this morning, in Rose Hill, in the context of World Ocean Day 2026. This international day is annually commemorated on 08 June. The United Nation’s (UN) theme this year is ‘Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean’.

The Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell; the Junior Minister, Mr Gilles Fabrice David; the Director of the IFM, Mr Quentin Biehler; the Director of the MOI, Dr Daniel Marie; as well as other personalities were present. The Interactive Meeting also brought together members of the private sector and the civil society, representatives of the MOI and Non-Government Organisations, researchers, as well as students.

In his address, Minister Boolell called for enhanced maritime legislation enabling Mauritius to better safeguard its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and lagoon. He stressed the need for Mauritius to become an ocean-friendly Nation with well-defined policies, and favour the development of a sustainable ocean economy given that the ocean is the country’s wealth.

He deplored that the lagoon is depleted of fish stocks and appealed to fishers to deploy their Fish Aggregating Devices in the high seas which offer vast opportunities to increase catch rates. While acknowledging that fishers will require proper training to be able to do so, he reassured that the Government will provide them with the necessary support.

Dr Boolell further encouraged fishers to invest into industrial fishing equipment and make the most of the country’s EEZ. Around Rs 14 billion of processed tuna is presently exported annually, and the Government has the ambition of turning the blue economy into an emerging sector so that it can contribute to over 20% of the Gross Domestic Product in the years to come, he added.

For his part, Junior Minister David dwelt on the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement, also known as the High Seas Treaty, which is a landmark international legally binding instrument that entered into force in January 2026 and will enable the Government to set up marine protected areas.

IFM’s Director remarked that the oceans are today under immense pressure due to rise in temperatures, water acidification, plastic pollution, decline in biodiversity and overexploitation of resources. He called for coordinated action to safeguard this life-support system and biodiversity it provides to humanity.

As for MOI’s Director, he pointed out that the blue economy is not only measured by growth but also by resilience and stability. He urged participants to move forward with clarity, purpose and a shared commitment to ensure that the ocean continues to sustain life, livelihoods and community for generations.

08 June 2026

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Topics: Fisheries, Others, Ocean Economy