The Republic of Mauritius [ROM] expands over an EEZ of 2.3 million km2 harbouring a diverse, unique and rich marine biota but yet highly vulnerable and subjected to biotic and abiotic threats such as ocean acidification mainly attributed to climate change impact, over exploitation and anthropogenic pressures likewise microplastic pollution problems. Apart from mainland Island of Mauritius and Rodrigues, Chagos archipelago, Agalega, St Brandon, the EEZ also encompasses 49 offshore islets including Biodiversity rich offshore Islets; of particular significance includes Round Island sustaining native wildlife no longer present on mainland Mauritius (Keel scaled Boas, Telfair's skinks amongst others), fishing bank reserves (Nazareth Bank, Saya de Malha Bank) of industrial economic value specially for the tuna industry and two marine protected areas.

Marine biodiversity consists of common Indo‐Pacific species that constitutes common biota for biotopes such as sea grass beds, coral reef, and mangroves, sandy, muddy and rocky shores. The four types of reef around Mauritius includes fringing reefs, patch reefs, atolls and barrier reefs. Marine species diversity is very high with about 1,656 species in 290 families having been recorded, with 159 species of scleractinian corals (hard corals) most probably with high endemism level.

The economic and social importance of coastal and marine ecosystems is now widely recognized at both the regional and international level. Out of 340 species of fish identified in the waters of Mauritius, 42 are of economic importance within the inshore area, with a different composition and relative abundance in the near shore waters of each Island within the Republic. Several species of crabs, shrimps, lobsters, molluscs, octopus and sea cucumbers are also of commercial value. A recent DNA‐based assessment of commercial fish diversity of Mauritius by the Mauritius Oceanography Institute (MOI) found 186 species of commercial fish; out of which 41 are new records to Mauritius and 3 may be potentially new species. Tourism, one of the leading Economic pillar and income‐generating sector of the country depends heavily on the quality and level of preservation of the coastal zone including its marine biodiversity and its coral reefs for a thriving marine biota and in-lagoon and off-lagoon fisheries stock. Yet, several studies confirm various anthological impacts on habitats and species, including beach erosion, water pollution and the overexploitation of marine resources.

During the Reporting period 2015 to 2020, Mauritius has embarked on a series of conservation projects to foster the conservation management of our marine biodiversity. These includes ex-situ coral farming-culture projects in nurseries followed by in-situ transplantation and monitoring in our marine habitat. It is to be recalled that several of the marine conservation projects have been conducted as a joint public-private collaboration. Other marine-coastal rehabilitation projects to further rehabilitate and strengthen the coast line of the Island have been undertaken during the course.

The National Targets 10 which contributes to Aichi Targets 10 has been developed as an iterative process of relevant stakeholder consultations spearheaded through a National Project Steering Committee and establishment of three working groups that addresses key biodiversity thematic areas inter alia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Agro ‐biodiversity and Marine, Coastal & Freshwater Biodiversity. The Republic of Mauritius [ROM] has called upon for all stakeholders to set up ambitious but realistic national targets, considering local challenges, especially in terms of financial and human resources constraints. In response to article 6a of CBD, the Republic of Mauritius has retained the five CBD strategic goals and has adapted the corresponding Aichi Targets as transcribed in the NBSAP 2017-2025 endorsed by the Government through minister’s council approval. A review of the 2015 NBSAP stocktaking exercise preceded the drafting of the 5th National Report. Discussions were held on which institutions should lead specific biodiversity thematic areas and what are the capacity, technological and financial needs to implement Mauritius‐specific Aichi targets. Adaptation of the Aichi Targets to the RoM context, including key performance indicators, Lead Agency and Partners, deadlines and provisional additional budget requirements were also worked out and projected over timeline 2017 to 2025.

It is to be noted that the National target 10 has been derived and adapted from CBD Aichi Target 10.