1. N. Summers, C. Miternique, E. Montocchio
Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
N. Summers, C. Miternique, E. Montocchio
Reef Conservation

2. Content Background Aims Method Results/Discussion Conclusion
Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Content
Background
Aims
Method
Results/Discussion
Conclusion

3. Centre d’apprentissage
MQA
Reef Conservation is an NGO dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the marine environment of Mauritius
That started in 2004 after observing the general degradation of the marine environments in Mauritius
And has Implementation and management of conservation, research, education and sensitization projects.

4. Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Background
1.26 million residents in 2014
+ 1 million tourist a year - Statistics Mauritius, 2014
Reef Conservation is an NGO dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the marine environment of Mauritius
Mauritius is a volcanic island located about 2 000km off the south east coast of Africa in the Indian ocean
Mauritius is a small ocean state with 243km2 of lagoon enclosed by 150km of reef
Many coastal villages in Mauritius rely on the marine environment through fishing as well as touristic activities

5. Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Background
Unfortunately, the lagoons have become degraded by a combination of human and natural impacts
Bleaching has increased from 10% in 1998 to 24% in 2005 and 50% in 2009 (Moothien et al 2012)
Other impacts: agricultural runoff, overfishing, excessive boating activities and coastal development
Unfortunately, the lagoons have become degraded by a combination of human and natural impacts
Increasing temperatures have caused worsening bleaching events from 10% to 50%
This in addition impacts include agricultural runoff, overfishing, excessive boating activities and coastal development,
These have resulted in a high mortality rate amongst corals in the lagoon

6. Background 11.97 hectares live corals 46.25 hectares degraded coral
Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Background
11.97 hectares live corals
46.25 hectares degraded coral
The drastic decline in coral cover is reflect in some lagoon such as Anse la Raie where almost 80% of the coral is degraded.
In Bain Boeuf, 43% corals are degraded
8.04 hectares live corals
6.19 hectares degraded coral

7. Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Aims
Determine the level of community awareness of the problems affecting the local marine environment
Determine the receptivity to potential solutions
From these observation we asked ourselves whether the coastal inhabitants were aware of the state of the lagoon and what problems they thought were threating the environment
We also wanted to know whether they had any solutions and if they would support to our proposed project of setting up Voluntary Marine Conservation areas.
VMCA is an innovotative project in Mauritius where local stakeholders actively participate in selecting, protecting and managing no take areas. The aim is for local inhabitants to be stewards of their lagoons.

8. Aim Study Area: Village Council Area of Cap Malheureux
Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Study Area:
Village Council Area of Cap Malheureux
Population: 5 070
Private households: 1 518
Aim
Port Louis
Study area are the coastal villages in the north of Mauritius from Cap Malheureux to Grand gaube (Anse la Raie is also one of our monitoring site)

9. Method An attitude and perception survey : Questions about
Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Method
An attitude and perception survey :
twelve key informants
quantitative household survey of 221 interviews
Questions about
Their perception of the state of the marine habitat
Potential impacts of activities
Other threats
Awareness of rules and regulations
Solutions
Opinion on Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA).
An attitude and perception survey was carried out by interviewing twelve key informants followed by a quantitative survey of 221 interviews.
Local inhabitants were asked about their perception of the state of the marine habitat, potential impacts of activities conducted in the lagoon, other threats to the coastal environment, awareness of existing rules and regulations, and their opinion on lagoon protection through Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA).

10. Results & Discussion  Lack of information 26% in a good state,
Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Results & Discussion
26% in a good state,
32% fair
only 36% bad or very bad
 Lack of information
The results showed a mixed perception of the state of the marine habitat with over 50% of respondents saying that the environment was in a good state or was fair and only 36% realising that it was bad or very bad.
This lack of information is partly due to the lack of studies but also the sharing of the results with the local community when studies are conducted

11. Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Results & Discussion
The biggest threat was thought to be pollution followed by over fishing and beach degradation
Degradation is seen as a mix of selling fish (leaving all the guts in the sea), camping, picnic where people leave their rubbish behind and religious ceremonies
What measures are being taken successfully or unsuccessfully?

12. Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Results & Discussion
Most respondents could not think of any either successful or unsuccessful measures that have been taken
Most people were aware that marine resources and activities were governed by rules and regulations but their degree of awareness of specific rules varied from one resource to another.
The community generally know that Activities relating to the tourism industry are regulated; however there is a lack of awareness about regulation linked to recreational activities such as camping, picnicking swimming…
This highlights a need of sensitisation about existing regulations and communication on measures that are being taken both by government but also by organisations.
Further research will be necessary to determine which measures would best protect the environment while allowing people to enjoy these areas.

13. Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Results & Discussion
There is also a feeling that the regulations in general are not being followed due to a lack of enforcement.
Enforcement of existing laws would help preserve the marine environment. However this is a problem that can only be solved by government.
A greater understanding by the public of environmental issues is essential.

14. Results & Discussion Solutions?
Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Results & Discussion
Solutions?
The respondents proposed the following:
Education
Promotion of good practices
Surveillance
Development of code of conduct at sea
Protection measures
Setting-up of a marine park
So we asked them about solutions
Answers fell in 5 main categories
Efforts need to be focused to on these issues
As an NGO we proposed the creation of Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas .The aim is for local inhabitants to be stewards of their lagoons. This would fit under Protection measures.

15. Results & Discussion Solutions?
Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Results & Discussion
Solutions?
 Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas (VMCA)
When asked about VMCA, most respondents (89.59%) would support to the creation of a VMCA but were more divided when specific locations were proposed.
This means they agree to the concept and the need for VMCAs but are reluctant to choosing an area to apply it

16. Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Results & Discussion
Need to change the attitudes of coastal communities
Respondents feel they require:
For such a project to be a success there is need for a change of attitude
For the creation of a VMCA, respondents feel they would require more information, training, and experience.
These are therefore areas which need to be prioritised by organisations when writing conservation projects
The creation of VMCAs will require the adoption of new attitudes where each individual is expected to participate in respecting, and communicating the agreed code of conduct
As this is voluntary, people cannot be forced to respect the code. However trough sensitisation and awareness raising about environmental issues most people can be persuaded into respecting the areas

17. Conclusion The coastal and marine environment is part their daily life
Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Conclusion
The coastal and marine environment is part their daily life
It is constantly being subjected to degradation
The challenge is two folds:
Lack of enforcement of laws and regulations
Ineffectiveness of education and awareness programme

18. Conclusion Through setting up VMCA we can Raise awareness Educate
Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Conclusion
Through setting up VMCA we can
Raise awareness
Educate
And bring various stakeholders together
to create a sense of stewardship of the marine environments
This will not be an easy task. Attention should be paid to the necessity of setting-up a network of organisations in various areas of Cap Malheureux to support the Voluntary Conservation Area and Reef Conservation can be the apex body coordinating the overall activities.

19. Community perception of the state and use of marine resources in a coastal village in Mauritius
Conclusion
The response from this survey has allowed Reef Conservation to push forward the VMCA project in Anse La Raie region while highlighting the need for more sensitisation to fill in the gaps in knowledge and motivate the community to take a more active role in marine conservation.

20. Thank you for your attention
Princes Tuna Mauritius Ltd
Ministry of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries, Shipping and Outer Island