To mark the 60th anniversary of the University of Mauritius, the IORA Marine Debris Cleanup Day was held on 25 June 2025 in Ferney, Mauritius. The event focused on the urgent issue of marine plastic pollution, especially its harmful impact on mangrove ecosystems—critical habitats for biodiversity, coastal protection, and carbon storage.
The initiative brought together 122 participants, including students, IORA Secretariat staff, and members of the diplomatic corps. More than 700 kilograms of waste were collected from mangrove areas, with teams conducting on-site data collection to assess the volume, type, and composition of the debris. The event combined environmental action with scientific monitoring and community outreach.
Plastic waste is one of the most persistent and damaging forms of marine debris. In mangroves, it obstructs root respiration, reduces biodiversity, and threatens essential ecosystem services. The cleanup event directly supported the goals of the IORA Strategic Framework of Action on Marine Debris (2022) and echoed commitments made in the IORA Jakarta Concord (2017) and UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/77/248 on Oceans and the Law of the Sea.
Key messages
- Plastic pollution threatens biodiversity and human livelihoods.
- Community-based cleanups foster environmental awareness and engagement.
- Data collected during cleanups supports evidence-based policy and action.
- Education and outreach are essential to long-term behavioral change.
- Regional collaboration strengthens collective responses to marine pollution.
Acknowledgement
The success of the Cleanup Day was made possible through the collaboration of:
- University of Mauritius
- Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Expertise France
- French Development Agency (AFD)
