The sperm whale is one of the most common species in Mauritian waters, occurring year-round and small group of few tens belong is a resident population. The Mission MAUBYDICK, launched in 2013, aims to protect the resident sperm whales by undertaking population assessments, monitoring population status and trends, understanding movements patterns and identifying critical habitats, that can be used for integration them into MSP.

The results of our research show that despite the positive reproductive trend of the local population, the impact of human activity has increased repeatedly in recent years and requires urgent mitigation measures. 

Find out more about Mission MAUBYDICK research findings from scientific publications. 

You too can contribute to the conservation of these beautiful animals:

– by respecting the animals and following the rules when observing them in the wild;

– by making your observation in the wild useful for population monitoring: share your pictures of the fluke with us via

https://www.flukebook.org ;

– by making a donation. 

Mission MAUBYDICK is a long-term ongoing project of ММСO. From the end of 2021, it is included as a stand-alone part of the larger project “Conservation of Threatened Marine Megafauna Species in Mauritius”, with financial support by the GEF Small Grants Programme, Blue Water Diving Centre and private donations.

The project is implemented with the permission of the Mauritian authorities: 

Prime Minister’s Office Department For Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration & Exploration (CSMZAE), Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping (MBEMRFS).

The project is funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme, Blue Water Diving Centre and private donations.

”Conservation of Threatened Marine Megafauna Species in Mauritius» is a long-term ongoing project, launched in June 2021. Mauritius, as part of the Mascarene Islands, is one of the internationally recognised “biodiversity hotspots”. In particular, in its waters can be found about 15 species of cetaceans, more than 10 species of sharks and 4 of the 7 living species of sea turtles, many of which are endangered species with declining populations trends and are under constant pressure from a variety of anthropogenic threats such as collisions with ships, pollution, gillnets, by-catch, habitat loss, tourism, poaching. Thus, Mauritius has a rich, valuable but vulnerable asset that requires immediate steps to conserve biodiversity, especially for species that permanently inhabit the waters of Mauritius and are an integral part of the marine ecosystem. 

The goal of the Project is protecting the habitats of threatened marine megafauna and contribution in improving the conservation management. 

The main activities of the project: 

1. Assessment and long-term monitoring of dynamics of populations of threatened marine megafauna species: Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) – Vulnerable status IUCN Red List, Grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) Endangered status IUCN Red List, Whitetip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus) – Vulnerable status IUCN Red List, Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) – Endangered status IUCN Red List and Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) – Critically Endangered status IUCN Red List.
2. Developing recommendations on mitigation measures for authorities to implement these measures in Marine Spatial Planning 

3. Sensitization and education of local residents and communities, including the younger generation both offline and online

4. Collaboration and data exchange with local and international organisations and institutions involved in marine megafauna

The project is implemented with the permission of the Mauritian authorities: 

Prime Minister’s Office Department For Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration & Exploration (CSMZAE), Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping (MBEMRFS).

The project is funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme, Blue Water Diving Centre and private donations.

Mauritius, as part of Mascarene Islands, is Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA), where about 25% of the cetacean species can be found. For the past few years, the national institutions of Mauritius have noted the lack of data on marine mammals for effective management. The mass deaths of melon-headed whales (MHW) in south-eastern Mauritius in August 2020, but not for the first time in the same area, clearly highlighted the problem and was a a trigger point for this study. From March 1st, 2021 to March 1st 2022 data on the cetaceans and the presence of potential threats, were collected through boat-based visual and acoustic observations by conducting four 10-days expeditions (two in each season) all around Mauritius, with a total effort of 2,946 km. Results of the study allowed to update data on cetaceans species diversity and filled gaps in the spatial distribution of cetaceans all around Mauritius, including determination of important habitat for melon-headed whales and indication of a resident population. Biodiversity hotspots have been identified and for the first for Mauritius, the potential cumulative impact of human activity on cetacean habitats has been assessed. The results showed that although the diversity of cetacean species off Mauritius remains high, a significant part of their habitat is at risk of mid- to high-intensity cumulative impacts of anthropogenic activity and requires mitigation measures. The results can serve as an important component for application in MSP tools and as a basis for subsequent research. 

The results of the study were presented at at 12th WIOMSA Symposium on 10-15 October, 2022 in Port Elisabeth, South Africa (find out more).

The project was implemented with the permission of the Mauritian authorities: 

Prime Minister’s Office Department For Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration & Exploration (CSMZAE), Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping (MBEMRFS).

The project was funded by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC), Blue Water Diving Centre and private donations.