Did you know that the territorial land of Mauritius is only a tiny part of its overall territory, which also includes territorial waters? It is such a shame that we know so little about the latter. Indeed, how many Mauritians have the chance to dive in and discover our undersea world? The ocean is not merely a vast expanse of water, but a complex and precious ecosystem made up of living creatures that we need to protect. It is time for a shift in mindset. Through the oceanarium, immerse yourself in a world that may otherwise stay invisible and unknown. We better protect what we see, know and love.

Port Louis was the obvious choice. Because it is our capital, is is fitting place to harbour such a prestigious project and will revitalise this city. Port Louis is also highly accessible, especially by public transport. Finally, its strong ties with the ocean and the available space were other reasons that validated this choice.

The objective of Odysseo is to get to know our oceans to protect them better. It goes without saying that everything is put in place to ensure the wellbeing and comfort of the animals every step of the way. A team of 10 biologists and veterinarians look closely after the health of the animals. The team pays careful attention to all conditions, including the respect of the animals’ space, water temperature and quality, food quantity and quality, water current circulation and the synergy between the different species within the same aquarium. The filter and life support systems enable a perfect reconstitution of the species’ ecosystem, while the control and alarm systems monitor the life support systems 24/7. Nothing is left to chance!

Education involves all our senses. The touchpools aim to focus on the importance of the various species found in this ecosystem. By observing them closely and interacting with them, we get to know them better. The touchpools are only accessible in the presence of biologists, who not only give precious information to visitors but also ensure the wellbeing of the animals by keeping an eye on them. The species that have been chosen to feature in the touchpools tolerate human presence and interaction well.

How many of us have the opportunity of discovering the marine world and admire its many treasures? How can people understand that the ocean is in fact a complex and precious ecosystem when all they see is a vast expanse of water? To fight the deterioration of our oceans, we need to address the lack of knowledge surrounding the marine environment. The oceanarium will be a dynamic tool to help sensitise and educate the public on the rich biodiversity of our oceans and on ways to protect them from further harm. It will also provide research teams with the necessary framework to conduct their rehabilitation and conservation work.