Mascarene Plateau Act, 2023 (Act 9 of 2023).

This Act provides for implementation of the Treaty on the Joint Management Area of the Extended Continental Shelf in the Mascarene Plateau Region (Treaty) between the Government of the Republic of Mauritius and the Government of the Republic of Seychelles. The guiding principles for giving effect to the Treaty are stated and the Joint Management Area is defined. A three-tiered joint administrative structure consisting of a Ministerial Council, a Joint Commission and a Designated Authority, is established. Provisions are made in respect of sharing of revenue, taxation code, application of domestic law and natural resource codes.
Further, the Act provides for protection of seabed biodiversity, prevention of pollution and other harm to the environment. The precautionary principles must be applied for the same. Each of the Contracting Parties has the right to carry out biological surveys for the purposes of Article 12 of the Treaty and to engage in bioprospecting. The provisions relating to employment, heath and safety of workers, customs, migration and quarantine, criminal jurisdiction, safety and crewing regulations, surveillance and security measures and settlement of disputes are made.