Various specific islands were proposed as Marine Protected Areas by UNEP/IUCN and the World Bank from the early 1960’s until the late 1980's.
In 2002, the Saint Brandon Atoll was classified in 10th place globally by UNESCO for future inclusion as a World Heritage Site.
Due to the persistent efforts and investments of the Shareholders of Raphael Fishing and Dr. Vikash Tataya of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, St. Brandon was Classified as an Important Bird Area in Africa by BirdLife International and designated a Marine Important Bird Area under the Nairobi Convention.
Local Species
The islands are known for their rich, diverse fauna and are home to a wide range of plant and animal species many of which are found nowhere else in the world. The islands’ unique environment which includes mangroves, coral reefs and sandy beaches, provides a habitat for a variety of species from birds and reptiles to fish.
A recognised bird sanctuary, some of the species include the “Ye-ye”, the “Virgin”, the “Makoa” and the Roseate Tern.
A survey of seabirds and turtles at Saint Brandon was undertaken in 2010. It recorded the presence of an estimated 1.1 million seabirds of seven breeding species and counted 279 turtle tracks and nesting pits of green turtles. Hawksbill turtles were also present.
What we do
The Raphaël Fishing Company has a long-term record of protecting the ecology of Mauritius, the 13 islands of Saint Brandon and the surrounding areas. The team works closely with international and Mauritian environmental organisations and scientists to protect the islands’ ecology but also to make them more accessible to all on a long-term, sustainable basis.
In the 1960’s, a turtle reserve was established at Ile du Nord and landing on this island was permitted only in the Summer under The Raphaël Fishing Company’s conservation regulations.
The Raphaël Fishing Company regularly encourages, consults, subsidises Mauritian Wildlife Foundation and other international NGOs in protecting and promoting the unique ecology of Saint Brandon. The Company works closely with the Saint Brandon Conservation Trust which is its exclusive Representative for Conservation matters related to its thirteen islands.
In April 2016, The Raphaël Fishing Company funded and organised a seven-day fact-finding mission by some of the world’s leading island ecological experts. Three highly acclaimed international experts Professor Henk Bauwman (Ecotoxicology, Environmental Pollution, Bird Ecology); Professor Tony Martin (world’s foremost expert on marine mammals) and Dr. Nick Cole (herpetologist; MWF Islands Restoration Manager) inspected the islands to raise awareness about the need to further protect them and to investigate, for the longer term, the effects of plastic and heavy metal pollution in the Indian Ocean.
The Raphaël Fishing Company’s team, together with the Saint Brandon Conservation Trust and national and international NGO partners, actively control invasive foreign species arriving from abandoned islands and monitor not only plastic pollution (with regular clean-ups being organised) but also the presence of heavy metals.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Protecting our natural biodiversity and participating in conservation efforts is now possible with some of the projects that The Raphaël Fishing Company’s team has established. There are many ways you can help protect this unique ecological ecosystem so that our future generations can enjoy the beauty and vibrant natural environment of the islands.