The Chagos Archipelago was declared Marine Protected Area in 2010, and on 24th of November 2011 the Linnean Society is hosting a a meeting to present some of the results of research work carried out over the past decade.
Chagos Archipelago Meeting
The British Ecological Society says that this meeting (organised in partnership with the Chagos Conservation Trust and supported by the PEW Environment Group) will: 'explore the ecology of the Chagos and the importance of safeguarding the archipelago'.
Professor Charles Sheppard is the lead organiser for the meeting, and he will be explaining that Chagos is now the world’s largest Marine Protected Area
Later in the programme Dr David Billet will look at the way ahead for monitoring and managing the world's largest MPA.
With over a decade of research already completed in the area the findings can serve as a baseline for further work.
History of the Chagos Archipelago
Exactly when the Chagos was first discovered by Europeans, or inhabited by anyone for that matter, is not clear, but the French were the first to claim Chagos, although it was ceded to the British with Napoleon's downfall in 1814.
- Between 1793 and 1973 coconut plantations were the primary concern – initially the workers were slaves, but after 1840 they were freemen and their descendents.
- In 1965 the UK bought the whole archipelago from Mauritius and declared it 'British Indian Ocean Territory'.
- In 1971 the US began constructing military infrastructure on Diego Garcia, and the UK closed down the remaining plantations on the island.
- In 1972 the UK went on to close all the other plantations, and the remaining human population was removed (mostly to the Seychelles or Mauritius).
Importance of The Chagos Archipelago
The Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory) has the world’s largest coral atoll and 55 tiny islands. It is twice the size of Britain and Britain’s greatest area of marine biodiversity.
The Chagos is also one of the few marine locations in the world where there are almost no ongoing, direct human impacts. It serves as a reference site for global scientific research to aid in our understanding of such things as climate change and the impacts of commercial fisheries.
Research reports from the world’s largest Marine Protected Area will make for a fascinating meeting.
Sources:
- A meeting at the Linnean Society on 24th November 2011 British Ecological Society 2011.
- 'Britain sets up the world's largest marine reserve', Jonathan Owen The Independent October 2010.
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