71°30 72°00 73°00 73°30 THE BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRItoRY The Chagos Archipelago: Its Nature and the Future Organisations supporting the environmental objectives set out contents in this brochure include: 1 Where and what is the Chagos? 2-3 What’s so special about the The Chagos Environment Network: Chagos environment? Chagos Conservation Trust 4-5 What’s the big idea? The Linnean Society 6-7 Creating a Chagos Archipelago Pew Environment Group Reserve Area The Royal Society The Royal Society for the 8-9 The largest coral atoll in the world Protection of Birds (RSPB) 10-11 Chagos oceans and fisheries The Zoological Society of 12-13 The massacre of the London (ZSL) Indian Ocean sharks Coral Cay Conservation 14-15 The Chagossian people and National Coral Reef Institute History of the Chagos 16-17 Science and the Chagos The Nature Conservancy 18-19 Chagos climate change and UK Overseas Territories island survival Conservation Forum 20-21 Chagos natural treasures United Nations Environment 22-23 Hard shells: the world’s largest Programme (UNEP) crab and others The University of Wales 24 An inspiring example The University of Warwick 25 The Chagos Conservation Trust The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Published by the Chagos Conservation Trust www.chagos-trust.org Email: [email protected] Tel: 44 (0)20 738 7712 71°30 72°00 73°00 73°30 10380_CH_ChagosCOVER_v7.indd 1 31/12/08 17:29:48 71°30 72°00 73°00 73°30 5°30 Colvocoresses The Chagos Speakers Bank Reef Conservation Trust The Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT) is a well-established, entirely voluntary, charitable society which promotes conservation and related Blenheim Reef science and education in respect of the Chagos Archipelago (The British Peros Banhos Atoll Indian Territory). The Chagos Archipelago is an exceptional natural asset for the planet, as one of the most pristine tropical marine environments still surviving. Salomon Atoll In our increasingly crowded world it provides a rare refuge for very vulnerable wildlife. Also, because it still has a mainly unspoilt and healthy 6°00 environment, the Chagos provides us with a benchmark showing how the web of life functions in its natural state; and this is important in helping us Victory Bank to understand and deal with such problems as pollution, loss of biodiversity and climate change. Nelsons Island The British Government, through the BIOT Administration, is committed to conserving the environment of the Territory and has taken measures to put this into effect. It has designated a first Ramsar site and has agreed in principle on substantial further Ramsar designations on the basis Three Brothers of proposals from CCT. The Government has also declared a very large Environmental Zone and has undertaken to manage the area as if it were a natural World Heritage site. Eagle Island Clearly, however, there needs to be a means of engaging non-governmental interest and support for this remarkable treasure trove of marine and island 6°30 nature. This is the function of the Chagos Conservation Trust. Great Chagos Bank The Trust monitors the status of the environment with the most expert Danger Island scientific advice and provides a channel for bringing environmental problems to the attention of the British and BIOT Governments. It promotes and supports practical measures such as, in 2006, a major ship-based scientific survey. The Society’s publications include CDs, factsheets and booklets on the fauna and flora of the Chagos and the book Peak of Limuria, the Story of Diego Garcia and the Chagos Archipelago. They represent a significant contribution to information on this little-known part of the world. Egmount Atoll In face of the longer-term threats and uncertainties facing the Chagos Pitt Bank environment, the Trust is concerned to continue to support and to Calvin Bank strengthen the national and international framework for its protection, in co-operation and partnership with other organisations. 7°00 Website: www.chagos-trust.org Contact: Simon E Hughes In the USA: Sam Purkis Secretary CCT National Coral Reef Institute 29 Champion Hill Nova Southeastern University London SE5 8AL 8000 N. Ocean Drive, Dania, FL 33004 USA Ganges Bank Diego Garcia T: 44 (0) 20 7738 7712 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 25 Centurion Bank 7°30 71°30 72°00 73°00 73°30 10380_CH_ChagosCOVER_v7.indd 2 31/12/08 17:30:01.