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Table 4.3 Agricultural incentive schemes, FY2019/20
Scheme: Scheme to encourage use of bio fertilizers
Description: Grant of 60% of the cost of bio-inputs. To enable farmers to have access to bio-inputs in line with government policy to promote bio-farming.
Expenditures (MUR): 0
Notified in terms of: Non-product-specific AMS
(...)
Scheme: Fruit fly suppression with environment-friendly techniques
Description: Purchase of pheromones for fruit fly trapping.
Expenditures (MUR): 213,084
Notified in terms of: Non-product-specific AMS

4.38. (...) the sugar industry in Mauritius, with the support of the Mauritius Cane Industry Authority (MCIA) and other stakeholders, initiated a series of measures to adapt to the change in market conditions, including: •Electricity generation from bagasse and ethanol production from molasses: About 13% of the electricity generated in Mauritius comes from bagasse. A national biomass framework is under development, and the remuneration at MUR 3.50 kWh for all planters was announced in the Budget Speech 2020/21. The Sugar Industry Efficiency Act 2011 was amended in 2016 to allow the mandatory blending of ethanol from molasses and motor gas. The MCIA is to develop and monitor an Ethanol and Molasses Framework. The percentage of hydrous or anhydrous ethanol, as the case may be, added to motor gas shall be determined pursuant to regulations made under the Consumer Protection (Price and Supplies Control) Act and shall not be less than 2.5%. Some 18 million litres of hydrous ethanol is produced annually, and is mostly exported.

4.50. The major challenges facing the Mauritian fishing industry, according to the authorities, include (...) the protection and conservation of fish stocks, including combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; sustainability issues; (...).

4.51. A new Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping was created in 2019. The main fisheries legislation is the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act. A new Fisheries Bill is being finalized. Its objective is to provide a modern legislative framework that contributes to the development of the fisheries sector in a sustainable manner based on conservation and management principles in accordance with international agreements and conventions.

4.54. To promote the fishing industry, Mauritius developed (...) the Fisheries Master Plan 2011 (...): (...) •The Fisheries Master Plan sets out a strategic plan for 2011-20, which includes eco labelling, (...) a levy on marine users to support sustainable fisheries, and the establishment of a sustainable fisheries development fund. Closed seasons for fishing of octopus and oysters and use of specific gear (namely the large net, pocket net, gill net, and canard net) are enforced under the Fisheries and Marine Resources Act.

4.57. To combat IUU fishing, Mauritius put in place a National Plan of Action, a National Plan for sharks, and port control. According to the authorities, the Port State Control Unit monitors landings and departures of all fishing vessels, and there is 100% coverage of all foreign vessels (licensed and non-licensed) calling into Mauritius Port for unloading, transhipment, and bunkering. The Competent Authority and the Port State Control Unit strictly adhere to EU-IUU regulations, as well as to Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) regulations. The Port State Control Unit also ensures compliance with IOTC management measures, and with regional fisheries management organizations, including the FAO. A Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) for the monitoring and control of all local and foreign licensed fishing vessels in Mauritius' EEZ and outside the EEZ is in place; Mauritius is party to the IOC regional VMS.

4.62. The country's dependence on imported fuels, and its vulnerability to fluctuations in oil prices prompted the Government to encourage greater use of renewable energy and to utilize energy resources in a more efficient manner. This policy change was first declared in the Maurice Ile Durable Vision of 2008, to achieve energy self-sufficiency and improve energy security. Energy policy was subsequently elaborated in the Government's Long-term Energy Strategy 2009 2025 and the Renewable Energy Roadmap for 2030 for the Electricity Sector, issued by the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities.

4.64. Energy savings are a key element in Mauritius' strategy. In 2011, the Energy Efficiency Act was passed to reduce energy use and costs, protect the environment, improve productivity, and help to mitigate the effects of climate change. The law also provides for mandatory energy audits for businesses. An Energy Efficiency Management Office was established in 2011 to, inter alia, manage energy efficiency programmes and monitor energy usage. [25] The national target is to achieve a 10% efficiency gain by 2025.

[25] Energy Efficiency (Registration of Energy Auditors) Regulations 2016, as amended in 2018. Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, Energy Efficiency (Energy Consumer and Energy Audit) Regulations 2017. To promote efficient use of energy, the importation of incandescent lamps of 50W and 75W is banned as from 1 January 2020, and standards for LED lights are enforced.

4.65. The main thrust of Mauritius' energy strategy lies in the development of renewables. The target for renewables is to contribute 35% by 2025, and 60% by 2030, to the electricity generated, with the elimination of power generation from coal by 2030. To this end, the Government established the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA) through its enabling laws in 2015, to explore financing sources and renewable energy incentive schemes, as well as research and development in the area of renewables. MARENA has the responsibility for assessing the feasibility and competitiveness of renewable energy projects, especially with regard to technologies yet to be explored in Mauritius (e.g. offshore wind parks).

4.66. In 2020, 76.1% of the total electricity was generated from non-renewable sources, principally petroleum products and coal, and 23.9% from renewable sources, mainly bagasse, hydro, wind, solar, and landfill gas (Table 4.8). The share of solar energy in the electricity mix reached about 5.1% in 2020, up from 4.0% in 2014. The target of 35% renewables is to be achieved with an additional of 396 GWh of renewable energy over the period 2020-25 (up from 774.7 GWh in 2020). The main contribution would come from solar energy, with 11 photovoltaic (PV) farms expected to become operational. [26]

[26] A solar farm is to be set up near the airport to allow the new airport city to be fully autonomous and run by renewable energy.