Febuary 2013 Expedition - One of the last wild places on earth

I’ve dived hundreds of times in remote places that are far removed from human populations and their many impacts. But I have to say that the waters around Chagos are particularly magical.

On virtually every dive during this expedition, we’ve seen large aggregations of big fish like giant Trevally swarming above delicate corals. Seeing such abundant and healthy ecosystems is a real joy and privilege, and I feel compelled to share these images with people that live in urban areas. They might not necessarily realize how much we have impacted the wildlife around us.

I’m a marine ecologist working for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument - the largest marine protected area in the United States located in the Hawaiian Islands. On this expedition, I’m helping with biodiversity surveys of organisms that have historically been under-surveyed in the Chagos Archipelago. In particular, sponges, algae and invertebrates associated with these habitat-forming species.

Remote places like Chagos are some of the last wild places on Earth. Their ecosystems are dominated by colorful species, which have been largely decimated in other more populated areas through destructive activities like overfishing and pollution. The healthy ecosystems of Chagos serve as a powerful reminder of what healthy ecosystems ought to look like, and urge us to be better stewards of the environment. Doing simple things like not littering, recycling and not taking more than we need to, can, and will make a difference in protecting the many natural wonders that our planet has to offer.    

Dr Daniel Wagner