Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions we hear most. If yours isn't covered here, send an enquiry and we'll answer directly.
Permitting
Do I need an EIA or a PER in Mauritius?
Most works that modify Mauritius's shoreline or foreshore require either an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or a Preliminary Environmental Report (PER), depending on the scale, location and nature of the project.
Smaller-scale works may qualify for a PER, while larger or more sensitive coastal developments typically require a full EIA. Confirming which applies to your site is the first step in our EIA & PER Permitting service.
How long does coastal permitting take?
Permitting timelines vary by project scale, site sensitivity, and how complete the supporting survey and modelling data is when the application is submitted.
Rather than quote a fixed duration here, we scope an indicative timeline as part of the initial site assessment, once we know which permit applies and what baseline data already exists.
Beaches & erosion
What causes beach erosion in Mauritius?
Beach erosion in Mauritius is driven by a mix of natural and human factors: reef decline that reduces natural wave protection, reduced sediment supply, sea-level rise, and storm or cyclone events — compounded by coastal construction and development pressure.
The relative weight of each driver is site-specific, which is why every restoration project starts with a survey rather than a generic assumption.
Is beach nourishment permanent?
No restoration is truly permanent — sand naturally moves. Well-designed nourishment, matched to the site's sediment characteristics and wave climate, is built to last years rather than months, and its longevity can be extended with complementary measures like dune stabilisation or sand retention structures.
We size each design to the site's actual conditions rather than promising a fixed lifespan.
Surveys & modelling
What is a multibeam bathymetric survey?
A multibeam bathymetric survey uses a sonar system that emits multiple beams to map the seabed in detail across a wide swath in a single pass, producing a high-resolution 3D picture of underwater topography.
It's the foundation for accurate wave modelling, dredging design, and reef or structure siting.
Reefs
How do artificial reefs protect a coastline?
Artificial reef structures sit offshore and break up incoming wave energy before it reaches the beach, reducing the erosive force that reaches the shoreline — the same function a healthy natural reef performs.
They can also provide substrate for coral and marine life to colonise, combining coastal protection with habitat value. See our Erosion Control & Sand Retention Systems service.
Working with us
Do you work in Seychelles and Réunion?
Yes — Mauritius is our primary base, and we also work across the wider south-west Indian Ocean, including Seychelles and Réunion.
What happens during a first site assessment?
A first site assessment is a scoping visit and initial data review: understanding the problem you're seeing, walking or surveying the site, and identifying what further survey, modelling or permitting work is needed before a design can be proposed.
Send an enquiry with your site location and a brief description of the problem to get started.