The 2003 season of archaeological and architectural study at Ile de la Passe was extremely successful. The participation of Earttwatch Volunteers contributed very substantially to the amount that it was possible to uncover and record. It had been hoped that students from the University of Mauritius would have been able to join the team for a substantial part of the season and, although contacts were established too late in the day for that to happen in 2003, it is fully expected that there will be student participation in 2004. It was also gratifying to discover that local skilled labor still retained many of the traditional skills of building in fossil coral and lime mortar mixes and that, with further experience and close supervision, it will be possible undertake conservation and partial restoration of French period remains to an exceedingly high standard using completely appropriate materials.
    It was unfortunate that some days were lost as a result of Cyclone Gerry, but it was possible to make good much of the shortfall through work on two additional days running into an unscheduled fifth week. The season has demonstrated that there is indeed a very considerable amount of new information to be gained through continuation of this project in future seasons. Further, is has been shown that careful and considered conservation and limited restoration of the masonry from the French period greatly enhances the visual attractiveness of the remains and, at the same time, make the defensive schemes more comprehensible to casual visitors. Much is still to be done. In this respect, it cannot be stressed too strongly that there is a most urgent need to restrict camping and cooking on the islet, to control wanton damage and vandalism. It would also be very advantageous and also to design and set out a visitors trail that will confine and limit the damage done to fragile remains by the passage of feet.
    A program of work and research for 2004 is being drawn up. This next season will concentrate on further clearance and restoration of the Upper Battery, the resolution of questions concerning the Central Platform and investigations in the Ditch.