Febuary 2013 Expedition - “Some of the most beautiful underwater environments…”

It’s another day in the Chagos, prepping gear and filling tanks for the science expedition. 

There are several tasks that have required attention during the expedition so far. These have ranged from staking transactional areas and collecting specimens to equipment servicing and repair.  While these tasks can be labour intensive, they allow for the scientists time to complete their work without being concerned with the additional tasks that I can complete.

There are of course some incredible benefits to the work.  Amongst them is getting the opportunity to see parts of the Chagos that most will never see.  Not to mention seeing some of the most beautiful underwater environments I’ve seen in my 15 years of scuba diving.  The amount and diversity of aquatic life is amazing and well worth the efforts to keep the area protected.  I have seen areas where the life has been decimated but could have been saved if the effort was made. 

Photo: Isle Sel, one of the amazing underwater environments of the Chagos (c) Alasdair Harris/Blue Ventures

I believe the work being done here in the Chagos by the scientific community is so valuable. The archipelago is a unique environment that should be studied, since it provides a benchmark for other studied areas. It can also provide guidance to improve or initiate similar efforts in other MPAs.

Whilst not a scientist by trade, the seminars given each evening are fascinating and informative, even to a layman such as myself.  I am both honored and appreciative to have been allowed to be a part of the expedition.

Jason Davis

Creole translation:

Ene nouvo zour encore lor chagos prepar bane l’equipema plonger , rempli bane bouteille pou expedition . Ena boucoup responsabiliter ki mo ena pendand sa expedition la couma aide zot tout lor zot reserche  , ramase bane specimen ek ousi arrange bane l’ekipma plonger  . sa aide bane scientist fer zot travail pendant ki moi mo fer sire ki tout lekipma parer kot zot bizin .

Sa travail permet moi trouve boucoup parti chagos ki personne pou pou capave trouver et sa ene vrai lavantage pou moi . sana oublier so l’environma marin ki zamais mone trouver pendant 15ans ki mo fine plonger . so varieter specimen merite preserve sa ziles la . mone trouve l’endroit kot specimen ine fini mort mais si nou ti met plis zefor pou preserve sa zordi li ti pou encore la eme .