A Youth Determined to Save Their Ocean

Title: A Youth Determined to Save Their Ocean

Source: Le Dimanche Hebdo

Date: Sun 07/12/2025 - 15:30

Young Mauritians, including divers, entrepreneurs, and students, express their commitment to preserving the ocean that has shaped their lives as they prepare for next year's Ocean Conference.

Every morning, before even buying his bread, Lionel Athion gazes at the sea, a daily ritual that brightens his day. "I am a child of the coast; I know the importance of the ocean. Life is the sea, and life comes from the sea," asserts the 37-year-old Mahébourgeois, director of Mahébourg Eco Adventures. His father, a coast guard who taught him to swim in the Southeast waters, represents a generation of young Mauritians for whom the ocean is not just a backdrop; it is essential to their existence.

As the Ocean Conference approaches, their voices resonate with urgency. While the sea has shaped their lives, professions, and dreams, it now bears the scars of alarming degradation. Divyasheel Sukhari, a 25-year-old marine science and oceanography master's student, recalls spending hours diving in the east coast lagoon as a teenager, only to notice concerning changes: dwindling fish populations, fading coral colors, and an eerie silence. "I realized action was necessary," she says today.

Maneesh Lungar, a 23-year-old diving instructor based in Grand-Baie, shares a similarly grim perspective. Having discovered the underwater world at seven, guided by his father and grandfather, both divers, he is still amazed by the ocean’s colors. "There are so many hues, whether it's hot or cold," he reflects. Yet beneath the vibrant surface lies a less idyllic reality: "Underwater, we find plastic bottles, cans... all the trash we see on the streets is also in the ocean."

Replanting Corals, Educating Tourists

In the face of this decline, these young Mauritians are not settling for alarmist observations. Lionel Athion uses his canoe tours as an educational tool. In a country where tourist arrivals are increasing yearly, he believes it is essential to educate both locals and visitors on sustainable living practices connected to the sea. By closely observing coral reefs, he has learned to appreciate their fragility.

"Just like terrestrial forests, coral is an ecosystem. Just as we plant seedlings, corals must be replanted too," he explains. Together with locals and several NGOs, he participates in replanting corals in the lagoons around Mahébourg.

Maneesh transforms every diving initiation into a moment of awareness. He reflects on those who have never seen the ocean or believed they could never dive. "Their reaction upon discovering underwater life deeply moves me. It completely changes their perception of the sea," he shares. He believes the northern reefs should have protected marine areas, similar to the Blue Bay Marine Park, known for its rich biodiversity.

Despite the gravity of the situation, optimism prevails. Divyasheel Sukhari rejects fatalism. Yes, the ocean is exhausted by pollution, overfishing, and climate change, but she has witnessed encouraging signs. "I've seen reefs revive, mangroves protecting our shores. The ocean can heal if we take care of it," she assures.

These young activists believe solutions start with simple actions. Divyasheel emphasizes reducing plastic and organizing cleanup campaigns. "Every action counts," she insists. Maneesh stresses individual responsibility: "Do not pollute the beach. The waves and wind carry everything into the ocean. Also, avoid throwing your cigarette butts overboard."

Lionel Athion urges looking to the past to envision the future: "In the past, our grandparents used natural materials. Today, we face plastic pollution. We use motorboats when canoes produce no emissions. It's the sea and wind that carry them."

For this entrepreneur, who believes protecting the ocean is a duty towards future generations, the challenge goes beyond environmental concerns: "Although we are a small island, our marine territory is vast. Our future and economy lie in the ocean."

This message is powerfully carried by this generation of young Mauritians, reminding that protecting the sea means securing their future. Their commitment shows that a youth is ready to act so that Mauritius can continue to live in harmony with its ocean—this ocean that, as Maneesh Lungar simply puts it, remains a daily wonder.

Aqua’librium

Our exploration of the marine world is just beginning! Dive into our new section Aqua’librium, and over the coming weeks, our journalist Jenna Ramoo will introduce you to these often-invisible yet essential creatures that shape the marine ecosystem, along with those who have made their preservation a true mission.

For protecting the sea is also about safeguarding those who depend on it... and the future of our planet.