Holistic approach for Marine Protected Areas
11th February 2010
A report on the findings of a scientific
workshop, published today, urges the Foreign Secretary to consider
alternative options when deciding on the best strategy for the
protection of the Chagos Archipelago, an area of reefs, banks and
small islands in the Indian Ocean, to the north east of
Mauritius.
This British Overseas Territory in the Indian Ocean (BIOT) is
being considered for Marine Protected Area (MPA) status, and the UK
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) launched a consultation on
the issue, which closes on 12 February 2010.
The report has been compiled by a team from PML, the Natural
Environment Research Council (NERC), the Universities of Plymouth,
Cambridge and London and conservation NGO, the Marine Education
Trust (MET). Its timely creation follows the completion of the UK’s
ground-breaking Marine and Coastal Access Act and the launch of the
national Marine Strategy, which highlight the importance of healthy
oceans to society and the need for sustainable use of marine
resources.
The coral reefs of Chagos make up just under 40% of the
total reef area in the Indian Ocean that remains classified in
the least disturbed, low threat category, resulting from a long
period of minimal human presence. The report takes the view that
establishing an MPA recognises the importance and value of Chagos
and provides an opportunity to promote wider recognition and
effective, long-term protection. However, the report calls the
current FCO conservation approach into question as it does not take
into account fully the interests of the relocated Chagos islanders
and the Mauritius government.
In particular, the report concludes that the MPA should
withstand future challenges that might arise through resettlement
and/or a change in sovereignty, and so none of the three options
identified in the FCO consultation are therefore suitable. The
report identifies a preferred fourth option, which would reflect
the possibility of such future changes by making provision for
limited sustainable utilisation of natural resources through zoning
or other means. This option needs to be explicitly recognised by
the UK government for further development at the international
level.
The report goes on to suggest that, given the desirability of a
no-take MPA having international and regional recognition, as well
as cost-effective enforcement, Chagos Islanders and the Mauritius
Government should be closely involved in the MPA discussions and in
the planning process. Unless these aspects are addressed, future
legal or political developments could jeopardise the long-term
status of the MPA, or at least, result in a significant decline in
its effectiveness, delivering only a ‘paper park’.
The report was written following a workshop held on 7
January 2010 at Royal Holloway, University of London. This workshop
brought together experts from NERC-supported marine research
centres, universities and NGOs, as well as Chagossian
representatives, the UK Government and marine industry
stakeholders, with a purpose of discussing the socio-economic
considerations of the establishment and management of an MPA in
Chagos.
Stephen Mangi, report editor and socio-economist at PML, comment:
“This report recommends protective action that takes into account
the political, economic, social and natural aspects of creating an
MPA for the region. PML has applicable expertise in this area of
work and has been working with the Department of Environment, Food
and Rural Affairs (Defra) since 2008 to establish a similar system
for Lyme Bay in the UK. All stakeholders, including local fishermen
and residents, have been engaged with the evaluation process to
ensure a suitable strategy for all.”
Jeremy Corbyn MP, Chair of the Chagos Islands All Party
Parliamentary Group, said: "I was pleased to address this very
useful workshop and I welcome the conclusions of its report. It is
clear that the balance of scientific opinion demonstrates that
there is a need for a fourth option in the proposed MPA, which will
not prevent the Chagossians who return to the islands, from
pursuing their traditional way of life. Indeed local fishing will
initially be the only form of economic activity available to them.
I hope the Government will take note of this and discuss with the
Chagossians and Mauritius what is required to make the MPA both
workable and legitimate. Local people and an MPA can work to the
benefit of conservation and the long term future of the Chagos
Islands. This is what happens in MPAs everywhere else in the
world".
Royal Holloway’s Professor David Simon, who chaired the
workshop, said: “This specially convened meeting formed a vital
step in the contentious process of negotiation over the future
status of the renowned Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. It
brought together many interested parties and stakeholders who
debated how to secure the environmental integrity of the islands
and their marine resources in a manner compatible with the
interests of the Chagossian people who were evicted some 40 years
ago and who may yet have their right of return restored by the
European Court of Human Rights. Viable proposals must also take
account of the possible future change of sovereignty from Britain
to Mauritius.”