GREAT BRITISH OCEANS Marine Reserves Coalition

@MRC_marine @fillewellyn © www.BritainsTreasureIslands.com Covering 6.8 million km2 of ocean • 90% of the biodiversity for which the UK is responsible • High number of rare and threatened species • Many endemic species • Undisturbed habitats and pristine waters • Global conservation importance

Marine protected areas Current global coverage : • All MPAs ~ 4% • ‘No-take’ marine reserves ~ 1.3%

ZSL Marine and Freshwater Conservation Team British Territory (BIOT) • 640,000 km2

• Chagos declared in 2010

• Scientific research and monitoring programme Connect Chagos project, 2012 – 2015 Engaging with the UK-based Chagossian community

• 42 ambassadors from 4 environmental training courses • 19 completed advanced training • 7 ambassadors on Chagos expeditions • Engaged with >700 community members

Marine Reserves Coalition

@MRC_marine Great British Oceans campaign

Launched February 2015 Run-up to UK General Election

1. 2. 3. South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands

Image © Tara Proud/RSPB Pitcairn Islands

• Southern Pacific • 834,000 km2 Ascension Island

• Southern Atlantic • 443,000 km2

© Viv Booth

© Paul Colley © S Weber South Georgia & the South • Southern Ocean Sandwich Islands • Existing ‘multi-use’ since 2012 • Increasing protection #GBOceans What happened next… Pitcairn announcement ‘Blue Belt commitment’

Conservative Party manifesto 2015 Ascension announcement Just the start…

© www.BritainsTreasureIslands.com Challenges…

Enforcement? Next up…

© David Higgins Pitcairn – scientific evidence base

Objectives 1. Scientific evidence-base 2. Local capacity 3. Marine management plan 4. opportunities 5. Pitcairn’s importance in meeting the UK’s biodiversity targets

Ascension – marine megafauna

Galapagos and Tiger • movement – Increased understanding of the species – Improved management / protection Time for action…

#GBOceans Thank you

@MRC_marine @fillewellyn [email protected]