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| NATURE<br />
BEL OMBRE LAGOON<br />
A WELL-KEPT<br />
JEWEL<br />
by Mélissa Leclézio<br />
Photos : Gerald Rambert<br />
THE BEL OMBRE LAGOON IS A MODEL OF MARINE<br />
CONSERVATION FOR THE COUNTRY, AND HERITAGE RESORTS<br />
IS COMMITTED TO SAFEGUARDING THIS VULNERABLE AND<br />
INVALUABLE HERITAGE TREASURE. THE GROUP HAS TEAMED<br />
UP WITH REEF CONSERVATION, AN NGO WHICH HAS BEEN<br />
MONITORING THE BEL OMBRE MARINE ECOSYSTEM AND<br />
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE LIGHT OF SURVEYS<br />
UNDERTAKEN SINCE 2015. LET’S TAKE A DISCOVERY TOUR<br />
AND LEARN TIPS TO HELP PROTECT THIS AMAZING LAGOON!<br />
A WEALTH OF INFORMATION<br />
THROUGH OBSERVATION<br />
Reef Conservation focuses<br />
on protecting and restoring<br />
the marine and coastal<br />
environment of Mauritius<br />
through implementing<br />
conservation programmes,<br />
research, education and<br />
awareness – the perfect partner<br />
for Heritage Resorts. The<br />
NGO completed a first survey<br />
in 2015 and a subsequent<br />
Environmental Monitoring<br />
Report in 2018. The message<br />
is clear: despite being in good<br />
condition, the Bel Ombre<br />
lagoon is vulnerable and<br />
requires active protection.<br />
There is a total of 55 hectares<br />
of reef habitat and 20 hectares<br />
of seagrass in the four areas<br />
of the lagoon. These two<br />
types of seabed are vital to a<br />
healthy ecosystem. There are<br />
differences between seaweed<br />
and seagrass, the latter consists<br />
of flowering plants forming<br />
underwater meadows in bays<br />
and coastal areas. Their leaves<br />
slow down currents, allowing<br />
sedimentation, and their roots<br />
keep sand in place and prevent<br />
the dispersion of sediments,<br />
which can smother corals.<br />
Seagrass meadows play an<br />
important role in slowing down<br />
beach erosion and also provide<br />
cover for young fish.<br />
Coral habitats also help<br />
slow down beach erosion<br />
by protecting the shoreline<br />
against waves. They harbour<br />
various species of plants and<br />
animals, and are a major food<br />
source for marine wildlife and<br />
humans. Finally, they contribute<br />
significantly to medical<br />
advances. The Bel Ombre<br />
lagoon is home to brain corals<br />
– which are easy to identify! – as<br />
well as massive corals, delicate<br />
branched and soft corals.<br />
36 | HERITAGE RESORTS STORIES HERITAGE RESORTS STORIES | 37
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