VMCA Le Morne

Community-led Seagrass Protection and Climate Adaptation through VMCA Creation in Le Morne

(Supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives — CFLI)

Set within the iconic lagoon of Le Morne in south-west Mauritius, this project was designed to protect one of the island’s most valuable yet overlooked marine ecosystems: seagrass meadows. Supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), Coral Garden Conservation worked with local community members, lagoon users, schools, and technical partners to establish a community-led Voluntary Marine Conservation Area (VMCA) focused on seagrass protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. At the heart of the initiative was a simple belief: lasting marine conservation is strongest when local people help shape it, understand it, and lead it.

Project Overview

The VMCA Le Morne Project was implemented in Le Morne, Black River District, Mauritius. It responded to the growing degradation of seagrass habitats in the Le Morne lagoon caused by anchor damage, trampling, unregulated lagoon use, sediment disturbance, and limited local participation in marine governance. These meadows are ecologically vital. They provide habitat for marine life, stabilise sediments, improve water quality, support fisheries, and strengthen coastal resilience against climate-related impacts. Through this project, Coral Garden Conservation and its partners supported the co-design and implementation of a community-led VMCA of approximately 5.9 hectares, supported by ecological surveys, awareness and training activities.

Why Le Morne Matters?

Le Morne is internationally recognised for its cultural and natural significance. Beyond its famous landscape and heritage value, the lagoon also supports rich marine habitats including coral patches and diverse seagrass beds. The project site information highlighted that the approved VMCA sites in Le Morne include important seagrass meadows containing species such as Halodule uninervis, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halophila ovalis, Halophila stipulacea, and Thalassodendron ciliatum. These habitats are not only biologically rich; they are also deeply connected to local livelihoods, especially for fishers, boat operators, and other lagoon-dependent community members.

Syringodium isoetifolium

Halodule uninervis

Thalassodendron ciliatum

Halophila stipulacea

Halophila ovalis

Our Goal

The goal of the project was to protect and strengthen seagrass ecosystems in the Le Morne lagoon by empowering local communities to lead the creation and stewardship of a Voluntary Marine Conservation Area. The wider vision was to demonstrate how community-based marine conservation can support biodiversity, improve lagoon health, reduce physical damage to seagrass habitats, and contribute to climate adaptation in coastal Mauritius.

Biodiversity and Habitat Value

Field surveys within the seagrass meadows also recorded sightings of sting rays (Dasyatidae spp.), green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), while past studies in these seagrass ecosystems at Le Morne have also reported seahorses (Hippocampus spp.). Their presence highlights the ecological importance of these shallow lagoon habitats as feeding, refuge, and nursery areas for marine fauna. Protecting these meadows therefore means protecting not only the seagrass itself, but also the wildlife that depends on it. This is especially important from a conservation perspective. The hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is listed globally as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, while the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) was globally reclassified to Least Concern in 2025 after major conservation gains, although several subpopulations remain threatened and continued habitat protection is still essential. Seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) are also a conservation concern, with a number of species assessed by IUCN as threatened, and the IUCN Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group notes that many more may be at risk but remain poorly assessed. Rays and stingrays are likewise among the more threatened marine fish groups globally, with more than one-third of sharks, rays, and chimaeras now considered at risk of extinction. Protecting Le Morne’s seagrass habitats is therefore important for biodiversity conservation, lagoon health, and the long-term resilience of species that are locally valuable and globally vulnerable.

Seagrass Meadows as Vital Fish Nurseries

The seagrass meadows of Le Morne are not only important for turtles, rays, and other marine wildlife, but also play a critical role as nursery grounds and habitat for juvenile fishes. Their dense underwater leaves provide shelter from predators, calmer feeding areas, and favourable conditions for early growth and survival. In this way, seagrass ecosystems help sustain fish populations by supporting vulnerable life stages before juveniles move into deeper lagoon, reef, or coastal habitats.

During the monthly field surveys carried out within the Le Morne seagrass meadows, juvenile fishes were regularly observed using these habitats. These included commercially and culturally important groups such as rabbitfish (Siganus sp.), emperors (Lethrinus sp.), goatfish (Mulloides sp.), trevallies (Caranx sp.), and parrotfish including Leptoscarus sp. The repeated presence of these juveniles highlights the role of the seagrass beds as essential recruitment and refuge areas for species that contribute directly to local fisheries and food security.

This ecological function is especially important for coastal communities, as many of these fishes are highly valued as food by the local population. By protecting seagrass meadows, the project is therefore also helping to protect the natural habitats that support future fish stocks, local livelihoods, and the long-term productivity of the lagoon. Conserving these nursery areas is not only a biodiversity priority, but also an investment in the sustainability of marine resources that many families depend on.

What the Project Acheived

A community-led VMCA of about 5.9 ha was co-designed, mapped, and implemented in Le Morne.

Key activities completed/ongoing:

1. Baseline ecological surveys and mapping of the VMCA
2. Community consultations and participatory planning
3. Training and capacity building
4. Awareness raising, school outreach and citizen science
5. Monitoring of the VMCA evolution

Looking Ahead

The VMCA Le Morne Project is more than a one-time intervention. It represents a practical and inspiring model of how marine conservation can be built with communities, not just around them. By combining ecological science, local participation, awareness, monitoring, and visible on-site protection measures, the project has laid the groundwork for stronger stewardship of the Le Morne lagoon. As threats to coastal ecosystems continue to grow, community-led initiatives like this one will be essential for safeguarding Mauritius’ natural heritage and strengthening resilience for future generations.

A Model for Replication: Beyond Le Morne itself, this project was designed as a pilot for broader learning. The VMCA approach demonstrates how community-based conservation can be used to protect sensitive marine habitats while strengthening local stewardship, public awareness, and climate resilience. Project documents specifically note that the initiative can help inform future replication in other vulnerable coastal areas and contribute to marine policy integration.

Call-to-action

Protecting seagrass meadows means protecting biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate resilience. Coral Garden Conservation is committed to expanding community-based marine conservation in Mauritius through science, education, and local stewardship.