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M​anagement of its maritime zone​s and to delineate and establish its  maritime zones in accordance with international laws and conventions.

​​Responsible for the formulation of policies in ocean affairs and for the establishment of legal and regulatory frameworks governing the sustainable management of the non-living resources including hydrocarbon and mineral

THE DEPARTMENT

​ ​​​​​The Department for Continental Shelf, Maritime Zones Administration & Exploration (CSMZAE) operates under the aegis of the Prime Minister's Office (Rodrigues and Outer Islands Division). ​​Its mission is primarily to ensure the effective management of its maritime zones and to delineate and establish its maritime zones in accordance with international laws and conventions. The CSMZAE is responsible for the formulation of policies in ocean affairs and for the establishment of legal and regulatory frameworks governing the sustainable management of the non-living resources in the maritime zones of Mauritius including hydrocarbon and mineral exploration and development. CSMZAE’s role shall be instrumental in the transformation of our economic development with the opening of a new ocean frontier. Its main objectives are, inter alia, to ensure orderly, safe, rational management of non-living ocean resources including the seabed area and the underlying sub-soil; ascertain sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting our non-living ocean resources; carry out the delimitation of our maritime boundary as provided for, under international conventions; develop regulatory and operational framework to enable exploration and exploitation activities in our maritime zones and oversee upstream activities of any Petroleum sector; rationalise and harmonise all ocean-resources related matters; regulate Marine Scientific Research; and contribute to energy security and Maritime safety. CSMZAE also has the responsibility of preparing the submissions for Extended Continental Shelf and a Marine Spatial Plan for the Republic of Mauritius. The Department contributes primarily to the safeguard of our territorial integrity in carrying out Maritime Boundary Delimitation and ensuring through the establishment of appropriate legal frameworks our sovereignty over Mauritius’ vast maritime zones. ​

​ Vision Lead Mauritius as a prudent and responsible nation in exploring and developing the full potential of its maritime zones.

​Mission​ Ensure the effective and judicious exploitation of marine non-living resources in our maritime zones for the benefit of the nation and safeguarding our sovereign rights and territorial integrity. << The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea makes provision for a coastal state to exercise its sovereign right over its maritime zones where it has been established according to the Convention >>​