Policy for Blue Economy in Mauritius.

This Policy provides a series of statements and measures, in order to guide the development and advancement of the Blue Economy in Mauritius, and thus the Policy serves as a strategic document that outlines the vision and key principles for the sustainable growth of economic activities related to the ocean and for a responsible growth of priority sectors. The Policy s vision aims at improving blue economy activities of the country within the Wester Indian Ocean region, setting a global example towards a resilient future. The Policy focuses on the achievement of the following objectives: sustainably expanding fisheries production; promoting advanced and inclusive mariculture; fostering innovation; building coastal climate adaptation capabilities; enhancing port infrastructure and shipping; improving ocean-based tourism; protection of marine habitats; sustainable exploitation of ocean renewable energy sources. The successful implementation of these goals generates inclusive socioeconomic progress and improved livelihoods, while safeguarding marine and coastal ecosystems for future generations.
Concerning the structure and the institutional framework, the Policy defines fishermen and seafarers welfare funds and fishermen investment trust as the main parastatal bodies. The Policy focuses on the following Blue Economy sectors and specifies their related challenges and opportunities: fisheries; aquaculture; sea food processing; tourism; ports and shipping; offshore extractive industry; deep sea water for air conditioning; use of offshore renewable energy; marine biotechnology. The Policy statements cover the following topics: establishment of cross-sectoral and inclusive governance framework; ensuring sustainable capture fisheries; promoting environmentally responsible aquaculture; promoting education, sensitisation and public awareness for developing the future Blue Economy workforce; improvement of maritime transport, trade and infrastructure; promoting renewable energy development; promoting sustainable, diverse and inclusive tourism; establishing coastal conservation and protection programmes; commitment to a resilient Blue Economy coping with the impacts of climate change; unlocking the potential of off-lagoon fisheries; improvement of fisheries management; development of a certified seafood processing sector; development of sustainable and climate-resilient water infrastructure.