Campaigns

Chagos

The Chagos MPA – A Conservation Success Story!

Global Ocean’s Work and Involvement

Along with several other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Global Ocean joined the campaign in establishing the Chagos as the largest conservation region on the planet.

During the public consultation on whether to create a marine protected area in the region, Global Ocean worked with the Zoological Society of London by running a free talk to raise awareness and gain support.

The Chagos Environmental Network (CEN) is a partnership of NGOs who work together in order to protect the Chagos and it’s associated waters. Working closely with these organisation we were involved with the original petitioning which led to the creation of this marvellous marine reserve.

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What is an MPA?

The Chagos MPA:

Where is it?
What is it?

The Ecological Significance of the Chagos MPA

Threats to the Chagos MPA

Management of the Chagos MPA

How can I Help - The future of the Chagos MPA

Sources and further information

What is an MPA?

The Chagos MPA

Where is it?

Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, 55 mile due south of the Maldives, the Chagos archipelago sits isolated from any nearby large land mass.

Click HERE to view an enlarged map

What is it?

‘The Chagos’ refers to the Chagos Islands and their surrounding waters which contain much marine life and corals.

The region is a British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) meaning that it is under British jurisdiction.

On the 1^st April 2010 the British Government designated the region an MPA following much petitioning and campaigning by organisations including Global Ocean.

The Chagos MPA now consists of the largest and possibly most significant no take marine reserve in the world at 544,000 KM squared (210,000 miles squared) – an area twice the size of the UK land surface.

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The Ecological Significance of the Chagos MPA

Being isolated in the middle of the Indian Ocean the islands and surrounding coral reefs act as a crucial oasis and refuge for a vast amount of species, many of which are internationally endangered and listed on the IUCN’s red lists.

This isolation means that the region has remained relatively untouched by human activity and so the Chagos can be seen as one of the most pristine marine environments on the plant.

Contains the ‘Chagos Bank’ – which is the world’s largest living coral reef structure.

Pollutant levels within the Chagos have been recorded as low as 1 part per trillion making the region perfect to be used as an example of pristine ocean and a global reference baseline.

The species biodiversity found in the waters of the Chagos MPA is truly significant;

220 Coral species recorded (half of ALL known for entire Indian Ocean)
Over 1,000 marine fish recorded
Many turtle species including critically endangered hawksbill & green
The islands provide vital nesting grounds for many sea bird species including the red-footed booby.
The Chagos archipelago represents one of the last true strongholds for the world’s largest arthropod; the bizarre coconut crab which can measure up to 1m across!

Image curtsey of Jon Slayer (www.jonslayer.net)

Check out the stunning footage captured by Jon Slayer, the first videographer permitted to film in the Chagos British Indian Ocean Territory: http://vimeo.com/17274137 and
filming on his most recent trip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmr3mtTow7s

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Threats to the Chagos MPA

Image courtesy of Sutton-Hibbert & Greenpeace The main threat to the Chagos prior to the creation of the MPA has been exploitation of the natural resources, primarily by fishing.

Global warming resulting in coral death and pollution through human activity have also had their toll on the area.

It was estimated that 60,000 sharks, as well as an unknown number of other species as by-catch had been legally caught by commercial fishing over the past 5 years prior to the creation of the MPA.

Thankfully, following the creation of the MPA, the majority of this will no longer continue. However, so long as there is money to be made from exploiting the oceans illegal fishing will inevitably persist and continued prevention and enforcement is a necessity.

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Management of the Chagos MPA

In order to enforce and control illegal fishing and activity within the Chagos MPA law enforcing boats patrol the region.

The primary enforcer has been the ‘Pacific Marlin’, a boat which was previously funded privately. The contract for the vessel was renewed at the end of 2010, but the duration of this contract is currently unknown.

At present the contract for the management of the marine reserve is out to tender, and should be awarded before the end of 2011.

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How Can I Help - The Future of the Chagos MPA

The creation of the Chagos MPA has been one of the greatest marine conservation success stories of recent times. With future support and funding, this vital habitat can be preserved for future generations and remind us of how the oceans could be.

PLEASE HELP THE CHAGOS CONSERVATION TRUST CONTINUE THEIR VITAL WORK BY DONATING HERE

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Resources and Further Information

Protect Chagos: http://protectchagos.org

Jon Slayer Vimeo site: http://vimeo.com/jonslayer/videos

Moffitt, E.A., Wilson White, J. Botsford, L.W. 2011. The utility and limitations of size and spacing guidelines for designing marine protected area (MPA) networks. Biological conservation 144 pp. 306-318.

Hilborn, Ray et al. 2011. When can marine reserves improve fisheries management?. Ocean & Coastal Management 47 pp. 197-205.

A huge thank you to all the individuals and NGO's who provided us with such beautiful images, particularly Jon Slayer (jonslayer.net) and Elisabeth Whitebread (PEW Environment Group) for their kind contributions.

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**Global Ocean would like to acknowledge that it is aware of the highly contentious issue of the Chagossians continuing exile and the fact that they were excluded again from the decision-making process. We hope that a secure future can be brought about for the Chagossian people whilst continuing to protect the environment and biodiversity of the Chagos Islands. We would also like to ask the UK Government to create a significantly sized Marine Protected Area in the surrounding waters of Britain.