The European Union has offered 50 million rupees (about 1.15 million euros) to the Mauritian Oceanographic Institute (MOI) for the project aimed at environm ent monitoring for sustainable development in Africa, PANA reported Wednesday.
The institute was designated by the Indian Ocean Commission to be the regional t echnical centre of reference for the project, working on behalf of the Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Moz ambique, Seychelles and Tanzania.
MOI director Mitradev Bhikajee said that the institute would set up an oceanogra phic unit to identify potential fishing areas in the region before next year.
This project, he said, would help in the preparation of fishing bulletins that w ould serve to guide the fishermen towards areas rich in fish.
“The task of the MOI will also consist of developing new systems and operational services useful for the follow-up of fishing and halieutic resources management, and the observation of the ocean,” said Dr. Bhikajee.
He said the institute also aimed at improving access in the region to land obser vation satellites data through the setting up of a reception antenna.
