A technical inception workshop on the review process of the National Invasive Alien Species Strategy and Action Plan was held at Bagatelle on 17 February. This workshop was organised under component 1 of the GEF-UNDP Mainstreaming Invasive Alien Species Prevention, Control and Management project, which is implemented by the Ministry of Agro Industry and Food Security through the National Parks and Conservation Service, in collaboration with the UNDP country office.

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are living organisms that are introduced from one territory to another through the movement of people and goods. IAS spread into new territories and cause the destruction of native biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems. In Mauritius, where the impacts of IAS also cut across many economic sectors and threaten food security and human health, a coordinated and comprehensive approach is required to control this serious threat.

The GEF-UNDP Mainstreaming Invasive Alien Species (IAS) Prevention, Control, and Management project aims to safeguard globally significant biodiversity in vulnerable ecosystems through the prevention, control, and management of IAS in the Republic of Mauritius. The main objectives are to build capacities to prevent, control, eradicate or effectively manage IAS; strengthen legislative policy and institutional frameworks to fight IAS; and improve knowledge and increase awareness on the risks posed by IAS and the need for biosecurity.

The inception workshop provided an overview of the implementation status of the 2010-2019 National Invasive Alien Species Strategy and Action Plan (NIASSAP), and shared the review and update process and how the new NIASSAP recommendations will be mainstreamed in the actual legal framework. The workshop also shared a brief on the methodology and work plan of the consultant recruited by the UNDP to roll out the review, SGS a world-leading inspection, verification, testing, and certification company.

Setting a transdisciplinary approach to IAS

In his opening message to the audience, Mr. Kevin Ruhomaun, National Project Director, Director National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) expressed his hopes that the NIASAPP review process would facilitate an exchange of “a maximum of information for the benefit of Mauritius and also serve as an example for the region which comprises many SIDS with biodiversity that is sensitive to IAS.”

Tanzila Watta Sankoh, UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles Programme Management and Support Specialist, mentioned UNDP’s support to the Ministry of Agro-Industry to cope with IAS and stated that “this workshop is an opportunity to gather information from stakeholders and fully participate in the development of this strategy.”

During his presentation of the review process of the NIASSAP, Dr. Guillaume Drillet, Team Leader from SGS, highlighted that the IAS impact is felt across industries and departments and concerns every sector of society, requiring work in a transdisciplinary way. He also said that a consultative and gender-sensitive/responsive process was necessary for this project.

The workshop also provided the opportunity for the team of consultants to engage with the various stakeholders involved in the policy, regulatory and institutional framework, and to take stock of the roles and responsibilities of each relevant institution for the prevention, control and management of IAS.

The revised costed NIASSAP and proposals for amendments regarding the institutional framework, including terms of reference and mandate of the National IAS Coordinating Committee to be created and future Apex Agency, will need to be submitted to the Government of Mauritius by November 2022. This establishes a foundation for specific enabling activities for holistic IAS management for the next 10 years.