Awareness
The advantage of this project is that dolphins and whales have a very positive image in the minds of people. Similarly, eco-tourism and awareness programmes for the protection of the environment are at the forefront of many people's minds nowadays.
Assuming that a better understanding of the environment and an awareness of its fragility leads to improved behaviours, the overall goal is to raise awareness of the marine environment for all Mauritians and tourists.
Various communication tools have been used to reach the largest audience possible:
Radio and television
Numerous interviews have been broadcast via radio and both national and international television, for example:
"Images sous-marines" by Marjorie Lenette. Theme: Dolphins and the Dolphin Watching activity in Mauritius. September 2006. (This documentary has been used by the Tourism Authority for training the skippers.)
France 24 (French cable TV) - A documentary on the Dolphin Watching activity in Mauritius.
Waterproof information card
Tour operators show this information card to their clients who come to observe the dolphins. Written in English and French, it is very user friendly and describes the attitude to be adopted when encountering the cetaceans (the codes of conduct). It has been created in collaboration with skippers in order to meet their needs.
Information panels
Four information panels on dolphins and the Dolphin Watching activity have been placed at strategic points on the west coast of Mauritius: one on Tamarin public beach, two in Black River (at the Carangue and at the entry of Morne Anglers Club) and on at Le Morne public beach. These panels, written in English and French, aim at informing the tourists as well as the Mauritian population. Their main function is to offer basic knowledge on the dolphins that are seen off our Mauritian coast as well as providing information on rules and regulations to be observed when approaching dolphins. These information panels also recall the basic rules on how to respect the Mauritian Marine Environment.
Posters
After meetings and discussions with the hotels of the west coast, posters based on the information panels were created and distributed to hotel boat houses, day care centres, and other common areas.
Film
Broadcasting of a 6 minutes film on the awareness of the Marine environment (Partner: Independant-Production). Distributed to hotels and partners, this film invites tourists to respect the marine environment and adopt a responsible attitude during their sea trips.
Brochure for the general public
Produced in two languages (English, French), the brochure provides information on the two dolphin species they are likely to encounter. It also reiterates the rules and regulations to be followed whilst observing dolphins and the basic rules for the conservation of the marine environment.
Educational booklet for children on marine mammals, "Dolphins and Whales"
This booklet was distributed in government schools during educational sessions. Produced in two languages (English, French), its main aim is to educate the children on these cetaceans as well as offering games and playful activities. This booklet is intended for children aged between 8 to 12 years and was developed in collaboration with Vivazi editions.
For these sessions, the MMCS collaborated with another Mauritian NGO with experience in this field: the APPE, l'Association pour la Promotion à la Protection de l'Environnement, represented by Mr. Faizal Jeeroburkhan.
"A guide to the Whales and Dolphins of Mauritius"
An easy-to-use and fully illustrated guide to enable users to identify marine mammals seen around the Mascarene islands. It was produced in 2011 in two languages (English, French) with the results from the dolphin project. A component of this project was for the book to be used during educational sessions in government schools on the west coast as well as during training sessions for operators and skippers. Sponsored by HSBC, CIEL Group and Canal+.
Education and Training
Children
Much emphasis is placed on the awareness of children in the western region. Studies have shown that educating the younger generation significantly contributes to increased respect and appreciation of the marine environment. Education focuses on:
- Providing children with a basic knowledge in marine biology/ecology to help them better understand the need to preserve their environment.
- Showing them daily actions they can perform to help contribute to environmental preservation.
- Inspiring the children to future studies in biology and science in general.
- Publicising the existence of organisations for the preservation of the environment, marine or otherwise.
- Creation and preparation of educational material to be used during training sessions in schools (as described above).
Adults
For the application of the rules and regulations described in the code of conduct and in parallel to the installation of the permanent mooring buoys, it was necessary to train the skippers and operators.
Volunteers from the MMCS and the Reef Conservation Mauritius team have trained fishermen, skippers as well as hotel boat house staff and those who offer the Dolphin and Whale Watching activity. The emphasis has been placed on the protection of marine mammals; the application of the code of conduct and the vulnerability of reef ecosystems as well as the utilisation of permanent mooring buoys.
