The ‘Cinderella of the Mascarenes,’ Rodrigues Island, is located approximately 650 km east of Mauritius. This autonomous territory is the smallest of the three Mascarene Islands, covering a land mass of just 104 km². Despite its modest size, Rodrigues occupies a strategic maritime position and offers a unique intersection of rich biodiversity and sustainable, community-driven tourism.
While the island is renowned for its highly adapted terrestrial flora and fauna, its marine environment is equally remarkable. The island hosts the largest marine protected area (MPA) in the Republic of Mauritius, the South East Marine Protected Area (SEMPA). Spanning 43 km² of the island’s lagoon, this SEMPA is a critical reservoir of marine life, harbouring some 138 coral species and 493 fish species. This resource-rich marine area supports a lifestyle that is not only culturally distinct but also deeply rooted in sustainability. Through community-led conservation and rehabilitation efforts, Rodrigues has emerged as a commendable model for sustainable living within the wider Western Indian Ocean region.
Recognizing this unique ecological value, the Indo-Pacific Journal of Ocean Life has recently published a special edition titled “Marine Studies from Rodrigues Island, Western Indian Ocean.” This publication brings forth new knowledge regarding the island’s marine life, moving beyond simple observation to establish a scientific baseline for future research work and informed policy- and decision-making with respect to further protection, conservation and adaptive management of the coral reefs of Rodrigues Island, Republic of Mauritius.
Read the Special Edition here: https://smujo.id/ol/issue/view/450
