Joint management of the Mascarene Plateau Region |11 May 2015

Mauritius and Seychelles endorse three-year plan

High level delegations from Mauritius and Seychelles who met here last week to continue discussions on the joint management of the continental shelf between them or the Mascarene Plateau, have endorsed a three-year plan to manage the area.

The delegates of the two countries endorsed the document on Friday following intensive discussions during another Joint Commission meeting held at Seypec House.

The three-year management plan aims to set the scene for proper, effective and efficient development of the Mascarene Plateau Region and put in place the necessary structures to sustain management of resources in its seabed and subsoil. This will ensure that maritime activities in the region are carried out in a rational and sustainable manner so as to allow the maximum development and use of the resources for the benefit of the people of the two island states concerned.

During the three-year period the joint commission from the two countries will focus on five main strategic objectives:

– Set up the institutional framework and build the technical capacity necessary to govern the management of the Mascarene Plateau,
– Promote the Mascarene Plateau as an attractive destination for investment by international oil companies,
– Set up a centralised data and information system to manage the Mascarene Plateau,
– Define priorities to acquire data to manage the Mascarene Plateau, and
– Establish a comprehensive system of multi-use marine planning to improve decision-making for sustainable marine activities in the Mascarene Plateau.

The strategic management plan will be published and distributed to the general public during a ministerial council meeting to be held later this year.
Discussions on Friday were also held with regards to the legal requirements in establishing a designated authority such as the host country agreement, legal charter and its incorporation into local laws.

Pending the establishment of a designated authority, it has been agreed that the focal points in each country will be reinforced so that a dedicated official from each side will attend to the day-to-day activities and liaise with each other.

The joint commission also agreed to organise a logo competition for the joint management of the Mascarene Plateau which will be opened to citizens of both Mauritius and Seychelles aged between 15 and 25 years old.

The first and second prize winners will be awarded cash prizes of US $2,000 and US $1,000 respectively.

The joint commission meeting on Friday was hosted by the Seychelles government whose delegation was headed by Raymond Chang-Tave, special advisor to the Minister of Land Use and Housing. The Mauritian delegation was headed by Sateeaved Seebaluck, secretary to the cabinet and head of civil service.

Philippe Michaud, special advisor (the Blue Economy) to the Minister of finance, trade and the Blue Economy, officially opened the meeting on Friday.

Mr Michaud congratulated the technical teams from the the two countries for their hard work and commendable achievements since the signing of the treaties in 2012 to share management of the Mascarene Plateau. He stressed on the importance of setting up the designated authority provided for in the treaties so as to complete the structure to effectively manage the Mascarene Plateau.

Mr Seebaluck reiterated the strong commitment of his government to ensure timely finalisation of all the arrangements necessary for the sustainable exploration and exploitation of resources in the Mascarene Plateau to benefit the two countries and their people.

He added that a new department to deal specifically with the continental shelf issue has been set up at the Prime Minister’s office.

The next meeting of the joint commission will be held in July in Mauritius.