Mauritius-Seychelles Pact: 400,000 km² Marine Zone Progresses in 2025

The 29th July meeting of the Joint Commission for the Management of the Mascarene Plateau took place in Port-Louis, bringing together representatives from Mauritius and Seychelles. The meeting was co-chaired by Suresh Chundre Seeballuck, Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Public Service; Mohammed Rezah Badal, Director General of the Department of the Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones, Administration, and Exploration at the Prime Minister’s Office; and Philippe Michaud, a consultant from the Seychelles Ministry of Fisheries and Blue Economy.

The session focused on key projects and decisions related to the shared management zone, established in 2012 through a treaty between Mauritius and Seychelles.

Covering about 400,000 square kilometers, this zone is a unique example of joint ocean governance.

Before the meeting, Badal and Michaud signed the minutes of the Technical Committee, reflecting progress made by working groups.

Dr. Badal emphasized that this commission is a vital platform for managing the seabed and subsoil resources of the plateau.

The discussions included ongoing initiatives such as marine spatial planning to protect the environment, experimental fishing of species like sea cucumbers, and seismic studies to assess hydrocarbon potential.

Michaud reported that exploratory fishing for sea cucumbers is advancing well, thanks to partnerships between Mauritian and Seychellois operators.

He clarified that this activity remains at the scientific research stage, aimed at collecting data to inform potential future commercial exploitation.

The next Technical Committee meeting is expected to be held in Seychelles before the end of the year.

The talks also covered key topics like environmental monitoring, geotechnical studies, and initiatives related to blue carbon and carbon credit mechanisms.

Source: Le Mauricien