Marine Conservation and Blue Economy | United Nations Development Programme

Colorful boats on clear water near a sandy shore, with people aboard enjoying a sunny day.

Life Below Water

Marine Conservation and Blue Economy

Safeguarding Marine Biodiversity and Leveraging Blue Economy for Economic Growth and Climate Resilience in 2 SIDS

As Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the Republics of Mauritius and Seychelles derive significant value from their rich marine ecosystems and ocean-based industries for for economic growth, food security, and climate resilience. The UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles Multi-Country Office partners with both governments and a diverse pool of trusted development partners to deliver high-impact initiatives that conserve marine biodiversity and strengthen blue economy in both countries.

Anchored in the 2024–2028 Country Programme Documents for each country, these initiatives bring together public institutions, communities, and private sector actors to foster innovation, protect natural resources and create inclusive economic opportunities. From coral reef restoration and sustainable fisheries to investment-ready blue economy solutions, UNDP’s support helps advance national priorities while contributing to the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on Goals 1-2, 5-9 and 12-15.

Key Figures

Mauritius's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers approx. 2.3 million Km² - almost 500 times larger than mainland Mauritius

Seychelles' Marine Protected Areas span 32.6% of its 1.35 million Km² Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Over 100 artisanal fishers in the Republic of Mauritius trained in off-lagoon longline fishing under the EU-funded Mauritius E€OFISH project implemented by UNDP between 2020-2024

Nearly 1.5 Ha of coral reefs being restored and 3.5 Ha under management in Seychelles under the Regional Coral Restoration Project

Coral reefs contribute an estimated $51.5M to the Seychelles' economy annually

Approx. 900 reef balls installed in Mon Choisy waters (Mauritius) to reduce beach erosion and restore life below water under a UNDP-led Climate Change Adaptation Programme

Videos

Key Initiatives

Restoring Marine Ecosystem Services by Rehabilitating Coral Reefs to Meet a Changing Climate Future

Implemented across Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Seychelles, this Adaptation Fund-supported regional project aims to restore degraded coral reefs, safeguard coastal communities, and boost food security. The initiative includes establishing coral nurseries, rehabilitating critical reef ecosystems, and building local capacities for reef monitoring and conservation to reduce the vulnerability of marine ecosystems to climate change.

Underwater coral nursery with metal frames and growing corals, surrounded by clear water.

Peaceful management of world largest underwater area

A unique collaboration between Mauritius and Seychelles, the JMA project supports the peaceful and sustainable co-management of the Mascarene Plateau. With UNDP’s technical support, the initiative focuses on marine spatial planning, ocean governance, and scientific data collection to sustainably harness shared marine resources across one of the world's largest jointly managed seabed areas.

GEF-7 ‘Prioritizing Biodiversity Conservation and Nature-based Solutions as Pillars of Seychelles’ Blue Economy project

The Blue Economy Project will support the strengthening institutional capacities necessary for the implementation of the Marine Spatial Planning and focus on the expansion of two existing marine protected areas in the Inner Islands. By applying nature-based solutions, the project aims to reduce the negative impacts of tourism on coastal and marine ecosystems by embedding sustainable tourism approaches to enhance conservation efforts. Aligning with Seychelles' ambitious ocean action plan, aimed at preserving and managing coastal ecosystems including 100% protection of it seagrass beds, the project complements the vital adaptation component of the nation's Nationally Determined Contributions, underscoring Seychelles' dedication to global climate action efforts.

Curieuse Island, Seychelles

Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF-EAS) and National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) - Seychelles

The GBF-EAS project is facilitating Seychelles’ efforts to protect biodiversity and ensure its sustainable use, in line with the Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), by providing financial and technical support. A major goal is the development of a country-specific NBSAP, which will guide the creation or adaptation of national targets for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. This will also support the mainstreaming or integration of biodiversity into sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, through regular stakeholder consultations, to promote a balance between human activity and conservation efforts.

Supporting the Economic Empowerment of the Artisanal Fishing Community of the Republic of Mauritius

Directly implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping in Mauritius and the Rodrigues Regional Assembly between 2020-2024. The European Union through a EUR 1 million grant supported the artisanal fishers of the islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues to enhance their fishing capabilities by adopting best modern fishing practices.

Artisanal Fishing in Mauritius

Mauritius SDG Investor Map: Supporting Sustainable Fisheries

The Mauritius SDG Investor Map identifies opportunities in sustainable aquaculture and fisheries value chains. It promotes investments in areas such as cold chain infrastructure, digital fish marketing platforms, and eco-certification, with the goal of improving food systems, boosting incomes for artisanal fishers, and enhancing resilience against climate impacts.

Aerial view of a small boat surrounded by clear, turquoise water and underwater vegetation.

Seychelles SDG Investor Map: Blue Economy and Fisheries

Launched in 2023, the Seychelles SDG Investor Map highlights priority investment areas in sustainable aquaculture, semi-industrial fishing, and digital fish traceability systems. It also promotes enabling policies, public-private partnerships, and capacity-building efforts to unlock private finance and accelerate the country’s transition to a resilient blue economy.

Mainstreaming biodiversity into the management of the coastal zone in the Republic of Mauritius

Implemented between 2016-2021, this GEF-funded project supported mainstreaming the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services into coastal zone management and into the operations and policies of the tourism and physical development sectors in the Republic of Mauritius through a ‘land- and seascape wide’ integrated management approach based on the Environmental Sensitive Areas’ (ESAs) inventory and assessment.

Riviere des Galets, Mauritius

AF-funded Climate Change Adaptation Programme in the Coastal Zone of Mauritius

Implemented between 2016-2021, the project mainstreamed the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services into coastal zone management and into operations and policies of the tourism and physical development sectors in Mauritius.

Several small boats moored in a calm bay surrounded by green hills.

Seychelles Protected Areas Finance Project

The GEF-funded project implemented between 2016-2020 aimed to improve the financial sustainability and strategic cohesion of the Seychelles protected area system, addressing financing gaps through the development of new and innovative financing mechanisms, while also dealing with emerging threats and risks to biodiversity in a shifting national economic environment.

Petite Anse Kerlan, Praslin.