Thank you very much, hon. Member. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, first and foremost, I wish to pay tribute to those Mauritians, who spared no effort and acted promptly on the forefront to mitigate the negative ecological impact following the grounding of MV Wakashio on 25 July 2020 and the resulting tragic oil spill. In August 2020, Japan dispatched expert under the Japan Disaster Relief Framework. Recovery efforts were undertaken swiftly. Thereafter, a two-month survey highlighted the urgent need to clean and restore the impacted coastal ecosystem, strengthen inshore fisheries resource management, and improve the livelihood of our fishers and local communities. In January 2021, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, Mauritius formally requested Japan's assistance for a project aimed at improving the livelihood of coastal communities through the sustainable development of the blue economy. The project implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency was launched in May 2022 and completed in April 2026. It delivered on four major outcomes – First, practical option to improve livelihood were introduced. An intensive seafood processing training programme was implemented to ensure a major shift from traditional fishing models to the diversification of the skills of fishers and their families. Fishers received training in fish freshness control, after catches and the onward filleting, salting, vacuum packing, and overall quality management. A fully equipped mobile kitchen trailer was also donated to fishers, allowing the marinating of fish or squids, and making fries for on-sale of high-end fish products. The fishers participated in the regatta in Trou d'Eau Douce and Mahebourg. The trailer and other equipment have been handed over to the Ministry and is under the responsibility of the Fisheries Protection Service. The Mauritius Fishermen Cooperative Federation will coordinate with the Fisheries Protection Service for daily operation and management, booking and scheduling, cleaning, supervision, and reporting to the Ministry. 81 fishers participated in the seafood processing training. In this context, a certificate award ceremony was held on 27 April 2026 to mark the successful completion of the training. Second, diversification of fishery resources was pursued. Being given the vulnerability of the lagoon, training in offshore fishing techniques was imparted to 47 fishers of the region, using the newly provided vessel to the Ministry to tap into deep sea species such as the diamondback squid. Kitchen gardens and seaweed-based composting was also introduced in Bambous Virieux. Sea urchin fattening and seagrass paper production were also undertaken. Third, fishery resource management in the lagoon was strengthened. The project prioritised community-specific strategies for ongoing projection of videos at fisheries posts, reaching 894 registered fishers, with 29,800 cumulative views. Sensitisation ecosystem approach to fisheries, fishery sustainability coupled with intense awareness campaign on associated legal framework were also carried out. Fourth, the comprehensive livelihood improvement plans were drafted for key regions to ensure the unique cultural and geographic strength of each village were utilised. Now, these included fish processing, sea urchin fattening, kitchen gardens, composting, seagrass paper production, and integration of fisheries with tourism ensuring women's participation and community level value addition as follows – (a) A “catch less, earn more” approach has been developed for Mahebourg region through the fish processing and distribution, sea urchin fattening in collaboration with divers. (b) For Bambous Virieux kitchen garden, seaweed-based compost, fish processing and distribution have been recommended. (c) In the case of Grand River South East, it has been proposed to transform fisheries from a secondary activity to a primary activity, through fish processing and distribution, sea urchin fattening, kitchen garden, and seagrass paper. (d) Value addition fisheries, integration of fisheries and tourism, catch and cook experiences and women-led processing activities have been recommended for Trou d'Eau Douce. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in future, JICA is expected to scale up the successful pilot projects being carried out. Opportunities also exist for the Ministry to submit further proposals to JICA for funding and assistance. JICA, along with local communities in Vieux Grand Port, are working together to establish a model eco-village. This project includes the greening of the village, sensitisation on marine environment, promoting handicraft and establishing mangrove and kayak trails. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regards part (b) of the question, the fishers and coastal communities, targeted in the short, medium and long term, are those in Mahebourg, Bambous Virieux, Grand River South East, and Trou d'Eau Douce. 81 fishers and their families have been successfully trained under this project. This batch include 26 fishers from Mahebourg and same number from Bambous Virieux, along with 20 fishers from Grand River South East, and nine from Trou d'Eau Douce. 47 fishers have also been trained in off-lagoon fishing, aiming tuna and squids.

The hon. Second Member for Belle Rose and Quatre Bornes! QUATRE BORNES – TRAFFIC SCHEME REVIEW