Marine Megafauna Conservation Organisation Mauritius

27/10/2026

🤩 We are proud to have represented Mauritius and the Mascarene region at SMM2026 – the 26th Biennial Conference on the Biology of Marine Mammals in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This year, MMCO contributed two presentations focused on our long-term s***m whale research:

🐳 At the Cachalote Consortium, we presented what 18 years of research are revealing about s***m whales across the Mascarene region, including the changes we are observing as human pressures increase.

🌊 During the main SMM conference, we presented our latest work on the ecological role of resident s***m whales in the oligotrophic waters of Mauritius, exploring how even a relatively small population can contribute to ecosystem functioning and why its conservation matters far beyond the animals themselves.

We were also delighted that our film on the s***m whales of Mauritius was selected for the SMM Video Night, bringing their story to the wider marine mammal community through another medium.

For MMCO, it was especially important to bring research from Mauritius and the western Indian Ocean into this global scientific forum — sharing our results, exchanging ideas with colleagues from around the world, and strengthening the connections that make long-term marine mammal research possible.

🙏 A very special thank you to the Society for Marine Mammalogy for the Student Travel Award and financial support that made our participation possible; to Didier Noirot creating the film about our s***m whales; and to all our co-authors, research partners, team members and volunteers whose contribution over many years has made this work possible.

We return home inspired, with new connections, new ideas — and an even stronger commitment to the conservation of Mauritius’ s***m whales and their ocean home.

***mWhales

10/10/2026

🐳🌍 New Scientific Publication on S***m Whale Conservation!

We are pleased to share a new scientific study led by the University of Exeter, published in Endangered Species Research, with among the contributing research organisations and co-authors.

Bringing together data from nine research groups across the southwest Indian Ocean, the study explores how climate change may reshape s***m whale habitats by the end of this century.

🔬 The findings suggest that suitable habitats may shrink and shift, while areas around Mauritius and Seychelles could become particularly important for s***m whale conservation.

This research highlights the value of long-term scientific monitoring and regional collaboration, as well as the urgent need for coordinated, science-based conservation measures.

🐳 S***m whales know no borders. Their conservation shouldn't either.

📖 Read the scientific article: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01538

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01/10/2026

11/09/2026

🐳 Our new s***m whale study is now published! 🐳

We are happy to share the latest scientific publication resulting from Mission Maubydick, our long-term s***m whale research programme led by . For this study, Maubydick long-term photo-identification data were combined with data from Globice Réunion and Megaptera, allowing us to build a much broader picture of the s***m whale population in the Mascarene region.

Published in Marine Mammal Science, the study brings together 17 years of photo-identification data (2008–2024) to provide the first population assessment of s***m whales in the Mascarene region and of the small resident social unit regularly encountered off Mauritius.

The joint catalogue now includes 280 individually identified s***m whales, based on 4,747 identifications. Our analyses estimate approximately 144 s***m whales in the wider Mascarene region, while only around 26 whales belong to the resident social unit off Mauritius. Important, that most s***m whales regularly encountered in Mauritian waters belong to this small resident group.

The results also reveal concerning signs in recent years, including increased mortality/permanent emigration and instability in the age structure of the resident group, with a decline in the number of adult females. As adult females are essential to the long-term survival and reproduction of s***m whale social units, these findings reinforce the need to reduce human pressures and strengthen the protection of s***m whales in Mauritian waters.

🙏This publication is the result of many years of collective effort. We sincerely thank all our collaborators and partners, funders and donors, students, interns and volunteers, field teams, and everyone who has contributed to this long-term research over the years. 💙

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mms.70280

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08/09/2026

⚡⚡⚡In a new article published by L’Express, MMCO discusses the growing pressure on Mauritius’ small resident s***m whale population and why the current situation cannot be allowed to continue.

🐳 Our long-term research shows increasing avoidance behaviour, disruption of resting and social interactions, alongside concerning demographic changes in a population of fewer than 30 resident s***m whales — predominantly females and young.

The issue is no longer simply whether rules exist. Illegal swimming with s***m whales continues to be openly promoted, while responsible operators are placed at a commercial disadvantage when others can break the rules without meaningful consequences.

‼️ MMCO is calling for:
• effective and consistent enforcement of whale-watching regulations;
• the same rules to apply to everyone;
• a specialised enforcement unit capable of regular control at sea;
• meaningful consequences for serious violations; and
• a small conservation contribution from each whale-watching excursion, dedicated directly to funding monitoring and enforcement.

Effective regulation is not against tourism. It is what allows responsible whale watching to remain viable in the long term.

Joanna Bérenger, who is also interviewed in the article, echoes the urgent need for action and stronger enforcement, stressing that solutions have already been proposed and now need to be implemented.

Because ultimately, one condition is non-negotiable: for whale watching to have a future, there must first be whales to watch.

👉 Read the full article in L’Express 👉 https://lexpress.mu/s/le-business-illegal-prospere-en-toute-impunite-562287?fbclid=IwdGRzaAULxNdjbGNrBQvESXBkb2YFZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEeZypOHnzZ-4-DRTcapcukgnAD7-v1x-Z2yWRTxOdOz5Dg9cIMbkrRQZkTwaA_aem_GjnlsZdqwbv87vgRUo0LOA&sfnsn=mo

Malgré une interdiction formelle, la nage avec les cachalots continue d’être proposée et pratiquée dans les eaux mauriciennes. Sur les réseaux sociaux, des ressortissants étrangers, notamment chinois, mais également des opérateurs basés à Maurice, commercialisent ouvertement des sorties ...

01/09/2026

🌊 Different islands. One ocean.

During our recent visit to Indonesia, MMCO had a wonderful opportunity to meet students from two island communities — a secondary school on Lembeh Island and a primary school on the tiny island of Aberek.

Mauritius and Indonesia may lie thousands of kilometres apart, on opposite sides of the Indian Ocean, but we share the same ocean — and many of the same extraordinary neighbours: sea turtles, whales, sharks, fish and coral reefs. 🐢🐋🦈🪸

Our visits were a chance to connect with young people through this shared marine world, exchange stories about island life and ocean conservation, and introduce them to some of the marine animals we work to protect in Mauritius.

We were delighted to leave both schools a set of MMCO’s Betty books, sharing stories about Mauritius, sea turtles, sharks and s***m whales with their students. 📚💙

A very special thank you to MMCO member Nadine Duncan, primary school teacher at Lighthouse School, whose enthusiasm and initiative helped make these beautiful encounters possible.

We are also very grateful to the management and teams of Bastianos Lembeh Resort and MV White Manta for helping organise our school visits and making these connections with the local communities possible.

And, of course, our warmest thanks to the directors, teachers and students who welcomed us with such incredible enthusiasm and kindness. 💙

No matter how far apart our islands may be, the ocean connects us — and protecting it is something we all share. 🌍🌊

31/08/2026

🦭 YOU ASKED — WE ANSWER
The recent appearance of a southern elephant seal in Mauritius attracted enormous attention. We received messages and photographs from people concerned about what they were seeing. Why were his eyes red? Was he injured? What was happening to his skin? Did he need help?

We gathered your most frequent questions — and while inspired by Jackie, the message goes far beyond one animal.

🔴 “Why are his eyes so red? Is he sick?”
Red or bloodshot-looking eyes are not necessarily a sign of illness. Some features that look alarming to us can be perfectly normal for the species.

🩹 “What about the wounds and scars?”
Wild elephant seals often carry scars and superficial wounds from life at sea and interactions with other animals. Some round, clean-edged wounds may be cookiecutter shark bites. Many heal naturally without human intervention.

🦭 “Is there something wrong with his skin?”
Not necessarily. Rough or marked skin and minor abrasions can result from contact with rocks and sand, interactions with other animals and normal wear. Elephant seals also undergo an annual catastrophic moult, shedding old fur together with the outer layer of skin — a completely natural process.

💙 So should we try to help?
A wild animal may look tired, injured, sick or stranded to us while displaying perfectly natural characteristics or behaviour. Well-intentioned attempts to “help” can cause stress or put both the animal and people at risk.
Give it space. Do not interfere.
❌ Do not approach, touch, feed or move it.
❌ Do not give it water.
❌ Keep dogs away and avoid crowding for photos or selfies.

Even a calm-looking animal is still a powerful wild animal and may react if threatened.

Jackie was an exceptional visitor, but encounters like this may happen again. Southern elephant seals and other pinnipeds can occasionally travel far beyond their usual range. Sometimes the best way to help wildlife is simply to give it space and let nature take its course. 🌊💙

So if a wild marine animal appears on our coast, remember: something that looks alarming to us is not necessarily an emergency. Report it and let professionals assess and monitor the situation.

MMCO

25/08/2026

Good morning, Mauritius! Jackie is back! 🦭

Please give the animal plenty of space and do not approach. Let our guest rest undisturbed so he can continue his journey when he is ready.

17/08/2026

Bon voyage, Jackie !

13/08/2026

🐳 A new chapter for 18 years of s***m whale research in Mauritius!

We are delighted that the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme will support the next phase of MMCO’s long-term MAUBYDICK Mission: Safeguarding Mauritius’ S***m Whales through Science, Awareness and Sustainable Tourism.

For 18 years, MAUBYDICK has been building one of the longest continuous scientific datasets on s***m whales in the Western Indian Ocean, resulting in multiple scientific publications and important advances in our understanding of these whales. This research has revealed the exceptional nature of Mauritius’ resident s***m whales, documented their population structure and long-term dynamics, and, importantly, identified recent demographic changes that raise serious conservation concerns.

This support will allow us to take our research to the next level through advanced, less intrusive monitoring, including drone-based assessment of whale health and behaviour, while strengthening local scientific capacity and continuing the long-term population monitoring essential for evidence-based management. Alongside the science, we will continue raising awareness and promoting the sustainable management of whale-based tourism in Mauritius.

Our sincere thanks to National coordinator Pamela Bapoo-Dundoo, Members of steering committee and the entire UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme team in Mauritius for their continued trust and support over the years, and for everything they do to strengthen environmental action and marine conservation in Mauritius.

18 years of research behind us — and much more still to learn. 🌊🐋

***mWhales