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Mauritius faces a worrying phenomenon: Rays washed up on the coast
May 17, 2025
8:00 p.m.
Vashish Nuckchhed
An alarming phenomenon is currently rocking the Mauritian coast: stingrays are being found stranded on beaches, with no clear explanation. The #Savetheblu association has sounded the alarm, calling for urgent scientific and citizen action. In a letter addressed to the Mascarene Archipelago Elasmobranch Observatory (MAEO), chaired by scientist Estelle Crochelet, Murali Krishna Appandi, president of #Savetheblu, expressed his concern: "These recurring strandings raise serious ecological concerns, potentially linked to habitat disturbance, unregulated tourism activities, pollution, or oceanographic changes."
In Mauritius, several species of rays live in the lagoons. Among them are eagle rays, easily recognizable by their distinctive beak and white-spotted back. However, these elegant swimmers mostly remain in deep waters and near the reefs, making them difficult to observe. Divers and snorkelers more frequently encounter stingrays, which are smaller and brownish in color. Unlike manta rays, which prefer the open sea, eagle rays and stingrays frequent reef areas where they feed on crustaceans and small fish. Their regular presence in coastal areas underscores their key role in the ecological balance of Mauritian reefs.
Towards a scientific and regional response
In response to this worrying situation, Estelle Crochelet confirmed the absence of similar events in Réunion or Rodrigues, but said she was ready to provide immediate scientific support, including environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, necropsies, and drone mapping. The two entities are considering an ambitious collaboration including the creation of a mobile task force to intervene quickly in the event of strandings; the opening of a MAEO cell in Mauritius, in conjunction with the University of Mauritius and local NGOs; the development of an educational and civic program for coastal schools (citizen science kits, reporting applications); and a regional awareness campaign on stingray ecology and the pressures exerted by coastal tourism.
Murali Krishna Appandi also points out that MAEO's support will be beneficial for the tourism industry. Globally, the increase in the presence of rays in coastal areas is often linked to the decline of predators at the top of the food chain, particularly coastal sharks, which play a key role in the natural regulation of ray populations.
The current lack of a coordinated monitoring protocol or rapid response to these strandings undermines both marine biodiversity and public trust. But for #Savetheblu and MAEO, this crisis can be transformed into a lever for regional cooperation, research, and environmental education. "We believe this crisis represents a unique opportunity to build an unprecedented response for the Mascarene Seas ," concludes Murali Krishna Appandi.
A virtual meeting is planned for the end of May to lay the foundations for this unprecedented alliance between science, civil society and institutions for the protection of elasmobranchs in the Indian Ocean.
https://lexpress.mu/s/maurice-face-a-un-phenomene-inquietant-des-raies-echouees-sur-les-cotes-545335
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Mauritius: Mass stranding of stingrays, joint study to be launched
articles pageecology
Dozens of stingrays have washed up on the beaches of Mauritius in recent weeks. Mauritian and Reunion Island scientists are concerned about the phenomenon. They will join forces to find the cause of this ecological tragedy as quickly as possible.
Fabrice Floch • Published on May 19, 2025 at 11:51 a.m., updated May 19, 2025 at 12:56 p.m.
The #Savettheblu association , which works to protect the Indian Ocean, has just issued an alert about the numerous stingray strandings along the coast of Mauritius in recent weeks. In a letter sent to the Mascarene Archipelago Elasmobranch Observatory (MAEO), the Mauritian association expresses its dismay, writes L'Express de Maurice : " These recurring strandings raise serious ecological concerns, potentially linked to habitat disruption, unregulated tourism activities, pollution, or oceanographic changes."
So far, similar events have not been observed in Réunion or Rodrigues. MAEO scientist Estelle Crochelet hopes to assist her counterparts in Mauritius, particularly with environmental DNA analysis. She suggests mapping the coastline using drones.
Mascarene scientists hand in hand
This worrying incident is an opportunity for scientists from the Mascarenes to formalize their desire to work together.
In addition to setting up a mobile task force to intervene during ecological events, the specialists want to work and exchange continuously: "The opening of a MAEO cell in Mauritius, in conjunction with the University of Mauritius and local NGOs; the development of an educational and civic program for coastal schools (participatory science kits, reporting applications); a regional awareness campaign on the ecology of rays and the pressures exerted by coastal tourism" , specifies the editor.
A remote meeting is planned for the end of May 2025.
https://la1ere.franceinfo.fr/reunio...e-etude-conjointe-va-etre-lancee-1587848.html
Mauritius faces a worrying phenomenon: Rays washed up on the coast
May 17, 2025
8:00 p.m.
Vashish Nuckchhed
An alarming phenomenon is currently rocking the Mauritian coast: stingrays are being found stranded on beaches, with no clear explanation. The #Savetheblu association has sounded the alarm, calling for urgent scientific and citizen action. In a letter addressed to the Mascarene Archipelago Elasmobranch Observatory (MAEO), chaired by scientist Estelle Crochelet, Murali Krishna Appandi, president of #Savetheblu, expressed his concern: "These recurring strandings raise serious ecological concerns, potentially linked to habitat disturbance, unregulated tourism activities, pollution, or oceanographic changes."
In Mauritius, several species of rays live in the lagoons. Among them are eagle rays, easily recognizable by their distinctive beak and white-spotted back. However, these elegant swimmers mostly remain in deep waters and near the reefs, making them difficult to observe. Divers and snorkelers more frequently encounter stingrays, which are smaller and brownish in color. Unlike manta rays, which prefer the open sea, eagle rays and stingrays frequent reef areas where they feed on crustaceans and small fish. Their regular presence in coastal areas underscores their key role in the ecological balance of Mauritian reefs.
Towards a scientific and regional response
In response to this worrying situation, Estelle Crochelet confirmed the absence of similar events in Réunion or Rodrigues, but said she was ready to provide immediate scientific support, including environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, necropsies, and drone mapping. The two entities are considering an ambitious collaboration including the creation of a mobile task force to intervene quickly in the event of strandings; the opening of a MAEO cell in Mauritius, in conjunction with the University of Mauritius and local NGOs; the development of an educational and civic program for coastal schools (citizen science kits, reporting applications); and a regional awareness campaign on stingray ecology and the pressures exerted by coastal tourism.
Murali Krishna Appandi also points out that MAEO's support will be beneficial for the tourism industry. Globally, the increase in the presence of rays in coastal areas is often linked to the decline of predators at the top of the food chain, particularly coastal sharks, which play a key role in the natural regulation of ray populations.
The current lack of a coordinated monitoring protocol or rapid response to these strandings undermines both marine biodiversity and public trust. But for #Savetheblu and MAEO, this crisis can be transformed into a lever for regional cooperation, research, and environmental education. "We believe this crisis represents a unique opportunity to build an unprecedented response for the Mascarene Seas ," concludes Murali Krishna Appandi.
A virtual meeting is planned for the end of May to lay the foundations for this unprecedented alliance between science, civil society and institutions for the protection of elasmobranchs in the Indian Ocean.
https://lexpress.mu/s/maurice-face-a-un-phenomene-inquietant-des-raies-echouees-sur-les-cotes-545335
-----------------------------------
Mauritius: Mass stranding of stingrays, joint study to be launched
articles pageecology
Dozens of stingrays have washed up on the beaches of Mauritius in recent weeks. Mauritian and Reunion Island scientists are concerned about the phenomenon. They will join forces to find the cause of this ecological tragedy as quickly as possible.
Fabrice Floch • Published on May 19, 2025 at 11:51 a.m., updated May 19, 2025 at 12:56 p.m.
The #Savettheblu association , which works to protect the Indian Ocean, has just issued an alert about the numerous stingray strandings along the coast of Mauritius in recent weeks. In a letter sent to the Mascarene Archipelago Elasmobranch Observatory (MAEO), the Mauritian association expresses its dismay, writes L'Express de Maurice : " These recurring strandings raise serious ecological concerns, potentially linked to habitat disruption, unregulated tourism activities, pollution, or oceanographic changes."
So far, similar events have not been observed in Réunion or Rodrigues. MAEO scientist Estelle Crochelet hopes to assist her counterparts in Mauritius, particularly with environmental DNA analysis. She suggests mapping the coastline using drones.
Mascarene scientists hand in hand
This worrying incident is an opportunity for scientists from the Mascarenes to formalize their desire to work together.
In addition to setting up a mobile task force to intervene during ecological events, the specialists want to work and exchange continuously: "The opening of a MAEO cell in Mauritius, in conjunction with the University of Mauritius and local NGOs; the development of an educational and civic program for coastal schools (participatory science kits, reporting applications); a regional awareness campaign on the ecology of rays and the pressures exerted by coastal tourism" , specifies the editor.
A remote meeting is planned for the end of May 2025.
https://la1ere.franceinfo.fr/reunio...e-etude-conjointe-va-etre-lancee-1587848.html