Environmental education is one of the most successful components of Shoals Rodrigues’ work. Over 3,000 young people between the ages of 14 and 21 have joined Club Mer, an extra-curricular education program for young people. Club Mer has been running since 1999 up to now, whereby they learn basic marine biology including marine environments, marine restoration, marine protection, snorkeling, and diving They are also taught how to properly respect mother nature and also volunteer with Shoals Rodrigues and any other nature/environment-based organization/institution.
YOUTH
Discover our Club Mer
The fisher community is the most affected by climate changes and ocean-based changes. Over the years Shoals Rodrigues has been active in the set-up of Marine Protected Areas, this includes the four Northern Marine Reserves and South East Marine Protected Area, aiming at protecting the marine biodiversity of ecological, economic, and social importance. Other projects such as alternative livelihood projects implemented by the organization have benefitted over 40 fishers ‘families over the past five years, this includes coral restoration projects, livestock breeding, and eco-tourist marine guides funded by the UNDP (Mainstreaming Biodiversity, SGP GEF, Adaptation funds).
FISHERS
Projects and Training Program
Shoals Rodrigues led the preparation of an integrated management plan for the Marine Reserves, worked to demarcate the Marine Reserves, carried out extensive consultation and awareness-raising activities with local communities, developed ecological and socio-economic monitoring programs, provided scientific training to local government staff, provided practical training to fishers and young people (swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, first aid, lifesaving, Marine Tour Guide training) and implemented, a number of alternative livelihood projects for local fisher communities to encourage them to exit fishery. In 2020, the organization provided training in coral reef restoration techniques to 18 beneficiaries from the tourism sector through the RRA’s alternative livelihoods scheme.
