Mauritius is hosting a significant expedition focused on plastic pollution for the first time, announced the Minister of Environment, Mr. Rajesh Anand Bhagwan, at a conference on Monday 14 April 2025, in Port Louis. The event, organized by the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) in collaboration with Plastic Odyssey, included remarks from notable partners, such as the IOC Secretary-General, Mr. Edgard Razafindravahy, and the French Ambassador to Mauritius, Mr. Frédéric Bontems.
The French Plastic Odyssey Laboratory Vessel is docked in Mauritius until April 25, 2025, as part of its journey to promote innovative solutions to plastic waste, under the ‘Expedition Plastique dans l’Océan Indien’ (EXPLOI) project. Minister Bhagwan emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in combating plastic pollution, discussing the challenges Mauritius faces as a Small Island Developing State and the role of initiatives like EXPLOI.
He highlighted the government’s efforts, including the enactment of regulations banning single-use plastics and the establishment of a Statutory Plastics Management Committee to coordinate anti-plastic pollution strategies. A meeting of this committee is scheduled for April 16, 2025, to outline planned activities.
Plastic Odyssey CEO, Mr. Simon Bernard, provided insights into the vessel’s mission, which includes converting recovered plastic waste into new products. The vessel is part of a three-year expedition addressing plastic pollution globally, engaging with entrepreneurs, students, and scientists at each stopover. Following its stay in Mauritius, the vessel will continue to Madagascar, Seychelles, and Comoros.
The IOC and its partners will conduct a campaign from April to July 2025 to promote a plastic-free Indian Ocean, supported by scientific research on the effects of marine plastic pollution.