EAF-Nansen Programme

Post-survey meeting held in Port Louis, Mauritius

10/09/2018

Click to enlargeA post-survey meeting to discuss aspects related to the survey on the Mascarene Bank was held from 3 to 6 September 2018 at the Department for Continental Shelf of the Maritime Zones Administration and Exploration of Port Luis, Mauritius. The survey on the Mascarene Bank took place from 4 May to 3 June and the final survey plan was agreed during a pre-survey meeting held in Victoria, the Seychelles, on 2 May 2018. The survey contributed primarily to Theme 7 'Habitat mapping' of the EAF-Nansen Programme.

Oceanographic and habitat mapping work on the Saya de Malha Bank was carried out based on a proposal entitled "Characterizing the Marine Ecosystem and Morphology of the Saya de Malha Bank" submitted to the EAF-Nansen Programme in February 2017 by the Department for Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration & Exploration, Prime Minister's Office, Mauritius. To that has been added limited studies within the Mauritius EEZ in the northwestern corner of the Saya de Malha, and on the Nazareth Bank.

The main study objects and objectives, reflected in the sailing order, included:

  • Geomorphology, benthic habitats and benthos (Multibeam mapping in subareas and along pre-determined transects, habitat and benthos studies emphasizing sandy subareas and subareas with macroalgae, seagrass, and coral)
  • Fish and crustacean resources (density mapping with acoustic and optical technologies, emphasizing commercial and toxic species)
  • Physical and chemical oceanography, including current measurements (onboard measurements)

The survey was successfully completed and a wide range of samples and data were collected, including samples of benthos and sediments, photographic material collected using the video assisted multi-sampler (VAMS), as well as oceanographic samples and data.

The post-survey meeting objectives were to:

  • Finalize the survey report
  • Discuss follow-up activity, including processing of the samples and data collected during the survey
  • Review organization, objectives and responsibilities for research projects, including deliverables to EAF-Nansen programme and regional authorities
  • Discuss needs for capacity development and identify opportunities

The meeting was attended by 19 participants including representatives from government institutions from the Seychelles and Mauritius, IMR & FAO/EAF-Nansen Programme representatives and the scientist attending the survey.