Conservationists oppose proposal to allow fishing around Chagos Islands | Chagos Islands
One of the world’s most valuable marine reserves, home to sharks, turtles and rare tropical fish, will be opened to some fishing for the first time in 16 years as part of the UK government’s agreement to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Allowing non-commercial fishing in the marine protected area (MPA) is seen as an important part of the Chagossian people’s return to the islands, as the community previously relied on fishing as their main source of income. But some environmentalists have expressed alarm as nature in the waters of the Indian Ocean has developed since its protection from fishing.
The Chagos Islands MPA was designated in 2010, making it one of the largest “no-take” zones in the world, meaning no fishing of any kind is allowed. The plans were controversial at the time, supported by environmental NGOs such as Greenpeace and the RSPB; Local people had accused the UK and US governments, which established a military base on Diego Garcia, one of the islands, of imposing a fishing ban that would make it difficult for the Chagossian people to return.
Marine protected area covering 247,000 square miles (640,000 km2) Home to the cleanest water in the world, the healthiest coral reefs and the richest marine life in terms of biodiversity, this region is home to more than 76 species on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In addition to sea turtles, the archipelago has 800 species of fish, including stingrays, stingrays, and more than 50 different species of sharks. Approximately 175,000 pairs of seabirds visit the islands to breed.
A State Department spokesman said much of the currently protected area would be open to some fishing. Plans discussed in the Mauritian media outline what the government describes as “sustainable” fishing would be allowed in almost 99% of the area, with the area around the Diego Garcia base prohibited from being visited by fishing boats.
Richard Ally, of campaign group Chagossian Voices, said an agreement to protect Chagossians’ culture by allowing them to fish was important.
He said: “As Chagossians, the sea was part of Chagossian culture. The Mauritian government will allow small-scale, regulated activities and artistic fishing that will be legal. Allowing Chagossians to return to the Chagoss and not allowing them to fish is not proper resettlement.”
“This does not mean that we are not concerned about the environment or the protection of the marine area around Chagos,” he added. “The Chagossians have always been protectors of the environment. They were protectors of the island before they were forced off the island. They always kept the environment safe and did not overfish.”
However, Ally expressed concerns about the Mauritian government’s ability to regulate the MPA after the UK handed over the territory: “It will be very difficult for the Mauritian government to control and regulate fishing activities. They do not have the capacity to do this on their own.”
Prof Heather Koldewey, head of ocean conservation at the Zoological Society of London, which is working on the new plans, said: “While private funding for the MPA still needs to be announced, the Mauritius government has spoken repeatedly about its high conservation ambitions for the new MPA and its determination not to allow any commercial fishing in the waters, and we will continue to work with relevant authorities to find practical and inclusive ways to ensure wildlife thrive alongside the needs of ocean-dependent people.”
But the proposal to allow some fishing in the MPA has alarmed some conservationists, who think the wildlife park should be fully protected.
Dr Enric Sala, founder of the National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas project, said the area should not be fished.
He said: “The waters of the Chagos are living time machines that show us what the ocean looked like before humanity began draining it. It is crucial to understand that the Chagos is a ‘fish bank’. As a no-take zone, it acts as a massive production engine where migratory species such as tuna can grow and reproduce, eventually ‘crossing’ borders.”
Labor MP Emily Thornberry, chair of the Foreign Office select committee, said: “A potential disaster is about to befall the wildlife on these rare and precious islands.
“The environmental agreement was made on the basis of good faith. The important thing is, even if commercial fishing is banned, how will this ban be implemented?” He added: “We should have a legally binding agreement that adopts this as a no-hunting zone.”
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We have always been clear that the Chagos marine protected area is one of the most important and unique marine environments in the world.
“Both the UK and Mauritius are committed to protecting it, including continuing the fight against illegal fishing.”
The Mauritian government has been contacted for comment.
