Blue Economy: Dr. Arvin Boolell Warns of Mauritius' Delay in Exploiting Its Maritime Potential

Mauritius cannot afford to fall behind in regional and international maritime performance and must establish the necessary infrastructure, adopt modern technologies, and implement effective policies to fully harness the potential of its blue economy.

This was the key message delivered by Dr. Arvin Boolell, the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries, during the opening of a three-day national workshop on technological demonstration and training organized as part of an environmentally friendly technology transfer project against biofouling, held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at The Docks in Port Louis.

Organized by the ministry in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the workshop focuses on adopting environmentally friendly technologies to combat biofouling and other maritime challenges. The opening ceremony was also attended by Delegate Minister Fabrice David, representatives from the IMO, and various stakeholders from the public and private sectors.

In his speech, Dr. Arvin Boolell reminded attendees that over 35,000 ships transit through the Western Indian Ocean each year, but Mauritius currently lacks the necessary facilities to fully capitalize on these maritime flows. He reiterated the government's commitment to enhancing port performance and maritime capabilities, emphasizing that the country must achieve tangible results through regional coordination and the effective use of available expertise.

The minister further highlighted the need for a coherent and well-structured strategy for environmental protection, which is an integral part of developing the blue economy. He pointed out the detrimental effects of land pollution, runoff from effluents, overfishing, and microplastics on lagoons and marine ecosystems. "To address these challenges, proactive prevention must be established through the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies and sustainable practices," he added.

Dr. Arvin Boolell also urged participants to leverage the expertise and technologies shared during the workshop to ensure clear policy guidance and practical implementation of sustainable maritime initiatives. "A preventive approach and adequate planning are key factors to maintain Mauritius' competitiveness in the blue economy while preserving its marine resources," he added.

For his part, Fabrice David described the ocean as Mauritius' economic lifeblood and a cornerstone of national resilience, while reiterating that the blue economy is essential to the country's development vision. He emphasized that maritime and port services are an important pillar and highlighted that Mauritius is developing high-value-added services such as ship inspections and hull cleaning to combat biofouling. Given the economic and ecological risks posed by biofouling, he stressed the need for innovation, compliance with regulations, and strategic planning in the maritime sector.

The delegate minister also noted that Mauritius must transition from merely being a user of technologies to becoming a producer of innovative solutions, creating opportunities for local start-ups to innovate and retain their intellectual property. "This approach would enable the country to transform pilot projects into export-ready solutions, positioning Mauritius not only as a hub for maritime services but also as an emerging innovator in marine technologies with international visibility," he stated.