In the latest issue of Chagos News

The opening article examines the first sighting of the sliteye shark in the waters of the Great Chagos Bank, written by Charlotte Oulton and Drs Holly Stokes, Kimberley Stokes, and Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT) Trustee Nicole Esteban from Swansea University’s Marine Conservation Ecology Lab.

Download issue 63 now
Edition #63

CCT’s AGM and Speaker Event - last spots available!

Last spots available for our 2025 AGM and speaker event being held at the Zoological Society of London (Huxley Lecture Theatre) next Thursday - the AGM starts at 5.30pm, with refreshments from 5pm, and the speaker event starts at 6.30pm for 7pm, with a reception afterwards.

The latest issue of Chagos News is out now!

The annual publication features an article about CCT's Programme Manager Dr Pete Carr's trip back to the isolated Chagos island of Vache Marine in Peros Banhos, six years after it has been formally declared rat-free. An important milestone, as he prepares to undertake rat eradication on other Chagos

CCT launches online Members’ Talks - RSVP to secure your spot!

Our first online CCT Members' Talk speaker is Dr Sam Purkis, the founding Chair of CCT-US and current Professor and Chair of the University of Miami's Marine Geosciences Department, who will give his talk 'Scaling coral reef conservation - Biodiversity assessment from orbit' on 19 February 2025

CCT Trustee scoops prestigious conservation award

CCT Trustee Dr Nicole Esteban, an Associate Professor in Marine Ecology from Swansea University who runs the Swansea Marine Conservation and Ecology Lab (MarCEL), has received the prestigious Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Marsh Award for Marine and Freshwater Conservation!

Would you like to be a CCT Trustee?

We are looking for four new Trustees: An experienced Membership Secretary, Scientific Conference Planner, and a member of both the Mauritian-based Chagossian community, and the Mauritian conservation sector.

CCT welcomes its first intern!

In partnership with Swansea University, the Chagos Conservation Trust welcomed its first-ever intern to increase its capacity and help teach skills needed to run a marine conservation charity. Martina Reina-Canitrot is taking a 'year out in applied research' to spend 11 months with the CCT team.

In memory of Professor Charles Sheppard, OBE

The Chagos Conservation Trust was sorry to hear of the recent passing of a great friend to the Trust, Professor Charles Sheppard, a former CCT Chair who was awarded an OBE in 2014 for his services to environmental conservation in the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Community Website Officer joins the CCT family

Pascalina Nellan, a UK-based member of the Chagossian community, has been employed by the Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT) on a part-time basis as the chagossianvoices.org Community Website Officer.

The latest issue of Chagos News has been published

The annual publication features articles about scientific research work being carried out in the Chagos Archipelago, including an update on CCT's key rewilding project 'Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs' by its Project Manager Dr Pete Carr...

We are looking for the next Chair of our Board of Trustees

We are on the hunt for a new Chair! If you have the skills needed, and 2-4 hours per week available to dedicate to the conservation of the precious islands of the Chagos Archipelago, then please read the job description below and apply today.

Dr Bryan Wilson is one of four new CCT Trustees

CCT delighted to welcome four new Trustees to its Board: Dr Bryan Wilson as a Scientific Advisor, James Clarke steps into the Treasurer role, Jodey Peyton will lead on the Chagos Information Portal update project and help the Director launch members' talks later this year, and Amy Wilson is assistin

The latest issue of Chagos News is out now!

Featuring a three part update of our Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs programme by our project manager Dr Pete Carr - our aim to increase the coral reefs’ resilience through guano runoff

New Director appointed

We are delighted to announce the appointment of our new Director, Sarah Puntan-Galea, who will take the reins of CCT in early May.

Job vacancy - CCT Director

Director – Chagos Conservation Trust About the role The Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT) are currently seeking to appoint a Director to drive the delivery of the Trust’s vision and strategy. The Director will work with the Board of Trustees to oversee and implement all aspects of the organisation’s operations, and develop and deliver CCT’s 2022-2025 strategy. They…

Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs Programme Manager announced

The Chagos Conservation Trust is pleased to announce the new Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs Programme Manager is Peter Carr. As Programme Manager, Peter will lead on the delivery of a Darwin Plus funded “Filling knowledge gaps to enable rewilding of the Chagos Archipelago” project, which is a vital component of the Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs programme.The aim…

Chagossian Voices: Stronger Together

Chagossian Voices is a community platform for the Chagossian global diaspora. Made up of members of the community from Crawley, Manchester and Derby in the UK and working alongside groups in Mauritius and the Seychelles, they provide communication between Chagossians.

Job: Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs Programme Manager

Location: Work from home Hours: 0.5FTE  Salary: £15,625 per annum Benefits: Pension, 25 days annual leave pro rata Contract: October 2021 – June 2023 The Chagos Conservation Trust’s large-scale island rewilding programme, Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs, is based on sound science highlighting the significant linkages between the health of the islands of the Chagos Archipelago and their surrounding coral reefs.…

Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs: Awarded Darwin Plus grant

Filling knowledge gaps to enable rewilding of the Chagos Archipelago We're extremely pleased to announce we have been awarded a Darwin Plus grant as part of the Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs Research and Development phase. The seabirds and corals of the Chagos Archipelago are inextricably linked. Seabirds provide nutrients that help the corals survive but, on some islands, because…

World Oceans Day: Exploring remote oceans using traces of DNA

This World Ocean’s Day, new DNA technologies have arrived on the remote islands of the Chagos Archipelago, and a team of researchers are collecting DNA samples to monitor the marine biodiversity of this diverse region. Hundreds of miles from neighbouring countries in the remoteness of the Indian Ocean lies the Chagos Archipelago, a collection of…

Using eDNA to test for invasive species

CCT has jumped at an exciting opportunity to have environmental DNA (eDNA) samples collected from around a selection of Chagos Archipelago islands to see if invasive species DNA can be detected from seawater. The results could help confirm the presence/absence of mice and cats from certain islands and inform a robust monitoring programme once invasive…

Could the removal of coconut plantations help seabird numbers increase?

A new paper on the “Potential benefits to breeding seabirds of converting abandoned coconut plantations to native habitats after invasive predator eradication” has been published by Restoration Ecology. The Chagos Archipelago, as with many oceanic islands in the Pacific and Indian Ocean, ended up with invasive species once the islands were colonized. For the Chagos Archipelago…

World Rewilding Day 2021

The first ever World Rewilding Day is Saturday March 20!  This is a very important topic for CCT as we start our ambitious programme, Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs, to rewild the 30 ecologically degraded islands of the outer atolls of the Chagos Archipelago, returning them to refuges for native species and supporting thriving coral reefs. World Rewilding…

Supporting the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration

The United Nations has declared this the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) and CCT fully supports this initiative through Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs, our flagship programme to rewild 30 ecologically degraded islands of the outer atolls of the Chagos Archipelago. “The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent…

Global Reef Expedition: Chagos Archipelago

The Khaled Bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation embarked on the Global Reef Expedition to assess the state of coral reefs around the world. This ambitious five-year scientific mission was designed to evaluate the status of the benthic and reef fish communities, assess the impact of anthropogenic and natural disturbances on coral reef ecosystems, and provide communities with the findings…

UKOTCF online conference 2021

Staying Connected for Conservation in a Changed World: UKOTCF online conference 2021 The UK Overseas Territories Conservation Foundation has announced its online conference ‘Staying Connected for Conservation in a Changed World’, to be held over four days in March 2021. The conference will cover subjects including engaging people, nature- based solutions for the UN Decade of Ecosystem…

Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs

The Chagos Conservation Trust’s new Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs programme is an ambitious, large-scale rewilding project that will remove rats and enable the return of hundreds of thousands of seabirds to the archipelago, helping its coral reefs recover from bleaching and build their resilience to the effects of climate change.  Thirty islands will be rewilded and the…

CCT Annual General Meeting 2020

CCT's Annual General Meeting 2020 will be held on: Thursday 26th November, 20205.30-6.30pmAGM will be held using Zoom and details of joining the call will be emailed to you before the meeting REGISTER HERE Agenda Minutes of the AGM held on 12 March 2019 Chairman’s report for the financial year 18/19 and update on the…

New Chair for CCT

The Board of Trustees is very pleased to announce Dr. Natasha Gibson as the new Chair of CCT.  Natasha, Ph.D. Geology and MBA, is a Natural Resources Sustainability specialist with over 25 years’ experience in Africa, Australia, and Canada. Currently, she heads up the boutique firm Kotiya Consulting, and previously worked for Anglo American, De…

OUT NOW - Chagos News - Ten Year Anniversary issue

CHAGOS NEWS OUT NOW! Check out our ten year anniversary issue celebrating a decade of marine protection and conservation in the Chagos Archipelago! Fantastic articles on the science successes, future projects and how the archipelago became a marine protected area. To subscribe sign up here! http://eepurl.com/dcHsqT

Are you CCT’s next Chair?

Volunteer Opportunity!  The CCT is searching for a Chair. This is an important, voluntary, officer role that ensures CCT is running efficiently and effectively. Do you have a love of the ocean and the right skills to join our team? The Chair is responsible for: leading the board of trustees and the organisation to work…

OUT NOW - Chagos News #55

As we start another year it is time to reflect on what CCT achieved in 2019 and what the future holds for 2020 and beyond.  This has been an exciting year for CCT with the launch of our new strategic business plan, that will guide the organisation to 2022, and the beginning of our Healthy Islands,…

Volunteer opportunity to assist with investments

CCT seeks a volunteer or Trustee to lead on the management of CCT’s investment portfolio. There is the option of making this a full Trustee position, or a non-Trustee role acting in an advisory capacity to the Board and sitting on the Finance Committee. The role will involve: Regular monitoring of and quarterly reporting to…

NEWS: Back-to-back heatwaves kill more than two-thirds of coral

Study shows dramatic loss of central Indian Ocean coral reefs between 2015 and 2017 Researchers from ZSL, by comparing reefs before and after two extreme heatwaves only 12 months apart, have found that hard corals in the central Indian Ocean plummeted by an estimated 70%. Despite this, their results suggest that some coral species are…

Annual General Meeting 2019 with special guest speaker

This year our AGM, hosted by new CCT Chair Rachel McCaffery, will include a presentaiton by special guest Dr. Mark E. Laidre from Dartmouth College in the US.CCT members and non-members are welcome.Tuesday 12th March6-8pmLinnean Society of LondonBurlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BFThe event is FREE but please register to attend here. The AGM will be immediately followed by…

CCT announces new Chair

After a two year search we are very pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chair for CCT and welcome Rachel McCaffery to the team. As a keen scuba diver, Rachel has a longstanding interest in marine conservation and over 15 years experience in sustainability. She specialises in the field of tourism development and holds…

Coconut crabs of the Chagos Archipelago

Please join us on Tuesday 12th March, 2019 for our Annual General Meeting with special guest Dr. Mark E. Laidre, Dartmouth College. The Chagos Archipelago enables a kaleidoscope of wildlife to thrive. From its stunning coral reefs to its majestic forests it is home to a diverse range of plants and animals, including the coconut…

New satellite vegetation maps available

As part of CCT's Darwin Initiative's Darwin Plus project RBG Kew's GIS team have produced a set of vegetation maps using satellite imagery, expert input and available plant location data to provide a baseline for future conservation actions, particularly the terrestrial rehabilitation of the Chagos Archipelago.  The new maps can be found on the Chagos Information Portal, a reference library of a…

CCT autumn newsletter 2018

Native trees thrive after rat removal A recent study by Island Conservation shows a 5000% increase in native trees on rat-free Palmyra Atoll proving rat eradication is key to restoring island biodiversity! Over half of the islands in the Chagos Archipelago have been degraded after invasive non-native black rats arrived with people in the 1700s.…

Are you CCT’s next Chair or Treasurer?

Volunteer Opportunities!  CCT is on the hunt for a Chair and a Treasurer. These are important, voluntary, officer roles that ensure CCT is running efficiently and effectively. Do you have a love of the ocean and the right skills to join our team? If so we’d love to hear from you.  Chair  Lead the board…

NEWS: Saving the Chagos corals by removing rats

"Killing rats could save coral reefs" is the major scientific breakthrough of the day as published by the BBC and relating to a new Nature article. Scientists studying the Chagos reefs say there is a direct link between rats and coral ecosystems. Prof. Nick Graham and his team have been working on the Chagos Islands,…

Chagos coral reefs struck by disease

Recent expeditions to the Chagos Archipelago, as part of the Bertarelli Programme in Marine Science, resulted in some positive results but a recent paper released by researchers Gareth Williams, Ronan Roche and CCT trustee John Turner has some disturbing findings. The researchers have recorded the first ever sighting of coralline fungal disease (CFD) in the…

Bertarelli Programme in Marine Science

In 2017, the Bertarelli Foundation announced its new programme for marine science in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).The Bertarelli Programme in Marine Science builds on a series of expeditions, workshops and strategic plans to create a vision for the BIOT Marine Protected Area (MPA) as a global exemplar of science and conservation activities working…

Internship: Expedition Timeline project

For over 300 years numerous scientific expeditions have visited the globally important islands and reefs of the Chagos Archipelago to improve understanding of the ecology of this unique tropical marine ecosystem. The Chagos Information Portal The Chagos Information Portal (ChIP) provides an unprecedented reference resource of research and conservation efforts conducted in the archipelago. This…

NEWS: Climate change is killing Chagos Archipelago corals

Climate change is responsible for destroying about 90% of coral found on the shallow reefs of the Chagos Archipelago say scientists in a new paper published by the Smithsonian Institution. The paper outlines findings from research conducted on coral bleaching and mortality in the Chagos Archipelago after two consecutive years of extreme sea temperatures. The…

British Global Leadership in Ocean Conservation

The Rt Hon. Richard Benyon MP, member for Newbury and former Fisheries Minister, has launched his Blue Belt 2.0 pamphlet written with the help of the Great British Oceans coalition. Since the government designated the Chagos Marine Reserve in 2010 it has provided funding via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to designate, implement and manage…

Recent reviews of Chagos: A History

CCT published Chagos: A History, by Nigel Wenban-Smith and Marina Carter, as part of its remit to spread accurate historical and scientific information last year. Two reviews of it have appeared so far, and the following extracts summarise them. “Few have sought to dig beneath their preconceptions to document the social history of these remarkable…

Launching the Chagos Information Portal on World Oceans Day 2017

The Chagos Information Portal, known as ChIP, is a reference library of a science, research and conservation work conducted in the Chagos Archipelago. The interactive map gives you a chance to explore the islands and learn about the plants and animals living there using scientific resources, videos, photos and datasets. Visit Birds of Chagos and Corals of Chagos - online encyclopedias…

NEWS: First successful invasive rat eradication in the Chagos Archipelago

British Indian Ocean Territory, 10 April 2017: Conservationists from the Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT) announced today the first successful invasive black rat eradication in the Chagos Archipelago. “The success of eradicating invasive black rats from Ile Vache Marine is the initial step of a long-term strategy to eradicate these invasive alien predators from all of…

Emergency expedition to the Chagos Archipelago

On 5 April a team of researchers, including CCT trustees Pete Carr and Prof. John Turner, began a two week emergency expedition to assess the reefs of the Chagos Archipelago and the success of CCT’s rat eradication project. Coral assessment We’ve all heard of the devastating effects climate change induced sea temperature rise has had…

A stark reminder of the effects of a warming ocean

By Jon Slayer Over the last few years while attending various research expeditions to Chagos I have had the privilege of returning to several beautiful coral reef sites. I visited the archipelago at the beginning of 2016 and departed shortly before a period of extended calm, hot weather that resulted in a major bleaching event…

New Corals of Chagos

An exciting discovery could see the naming of new corals from the Chagos Archipelago. As part of the John Ellerman Foundation funded Corals of Chagos project the team, made up of Chagos coral experts Professor Charles Sheppard, Dr Doug Fenner and Anne Sheppard, have spent a couple of years producing a consolidated list of all…

Christmas fundraising for CCT

CCT supporters might like to consider … … looking at a site called easyfundraising.org.uk It's easy to set up, won’t cost you a penny and is a way of giving a slice of what you spend to your favourite charity (CCT, of course!). You simply go to the easyfundraising website, and in the 'Search for…

BOOK RELEASE - Chagos: A History

Today CCT announces the release of Chagos: A History a publication of the first serious record of the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean.For those just wanting to know more about this fascinating insight into remote colonial rule, or to be better informed for the growing debate since the UK government announced that former residents…

UK doubles ocean protection!

At the Our Oceans conference in September Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan announce plans to double marine protected areas around the UK overseas territories. With the designation of partial protection around St Helena and full protection of almost all of Pitcairn islands’ marine area, and the commitment to further protect ocean around Ascension by…

The land crabs of the Chagos Archipelago

By Matt Robertson, Zoological Society of London Among the most spectacular land living invertebrates found in the Chagos Archipelago are the land and shore crabs.Without doubt, the most impressive of these is the coconut or robber crab, Birgus latro. With a leg span of up to a metre and weighing up to 4 kg this…

Pinning Down the Terrestrial Invertebrates of BIOT

By Paul Pearce-Kelly, Rachel Jones & Matt Robertson, Zoological Society of London After months of research, a comprehensive species list of the terrestrial invertebrates found in the Chagos Archipelago is nearing completion. A multitude of resources have been used to bring this information together, including the 1905 Percy Sladen Trust Expedition, the Natural History Museum…

Preparing for the Chagos Archipelago expedition!

By Dr Martin Hamilton, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Preparation for the Darwin Initiative funded Chagos Atoll Restoration Expedition is well underway with the project team meeting monthly at Kew or the Zoological Society of London. Logistics, establishing island priorities, sourcing supplies and equipment needs are top of the list as coordinating an expedition of this…

Volunteering after the Connect Chagos Project

By Claudia Naraina The Connect Chagos project has been a life changing experience for me and a project that allowed me, not only to live my passion to the fullest but to also learn and acquire the practical skills used in conservation and how to work with local communities to increase understanding of environmental issues.…

Welcome to the Twilight Zone

By Dominic Andradi-Brown, DPhil Student, University of Oxford Last month Catherine Head and I from Oxford’s Ocean Research and Conservation (ORC) group were lucky enough to take part in the Berteralli Foundation Chagos Archipelago expedition. On the expedition a major focus of my work was to conduct some of the first exploration of the twilight…

Treasure Islands

Britain’s Treasure Islands is a project that sets out to document the wildlife, history and heritage of all of the UK Overseas Territories through a four-part TV documentary series, 40 short online films and a 700-page natural history book, all of which will be launched at the end of March, 2016. The Foreign and Commonwealth…

My cultural and conservation mission to Hawaii

By Claudia Naraina This February I was invited to attend the Big Ocean Think Tank on the integration of human dimensions in large-scale marine reserve management. Over 100 people from 15 different countries came to represent their respective countries and their marine reserves, large or small. The aim of the meeting was to explore the…

Chagos programme in UK’s ‘Top 20’ research impact stories

The Chagos research programme has been ranked amongst the top 20 most impressive examples of UK research contributing to global development. CCT’s chair, Professor Charles Sheppard from Warwick University, was notified in September that the Chagos research programme had been selected from nearly 7,000 impact case studies submitted to the Research Excellence Framework – the…

Further recognition for work in the Chagos Archipelago

CCT is extremely pleased to announce that Dr John Turner of Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences and CCT trustee has won the Bangor University Impact and Innovation Award for Best Impact on Public Policy and/or Public Services, sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council Impact Acceleration Account. The project ‘To Strengthen the World’s…

Marine management - making an oxymoron more meaningful

CCT's chair, Charles Sheppard, was invited to write an article for The Marine Biologist, the Marine Biological Association magazine. He chose to write on the context and crucial importance of not only the Chagos marine reserve but of this and similar sites around the world in more general terms. "Marine reserves must become a key…

Climate change threatens the survival of coral reefs

The International Society for Reef Studies released today a consensus statement highlighting the role of climate change as the ultimate cause of coral bleaching that is now threatening a global loss of coral reef ecosystems. The society calls on all nations and negotiators at the Paris Climate Change Conference to commit to limiting CO2 concentrations…

New Director appointed for CCT

CCT is delighted to announce that Helen Pitman has been appointed to the new post of Director of CCT, from 12th October. Helen has had several thoroughly successful roles in the past few years, in WWF International and other like-minded organisations. Her skills include conservation, strategy and planning and communications and campaigning, all of which…

Chagos on Google Street View

On June 4, 2015 Google published a blog post about the release of remote island imagery captured for Street View, featuring the Chagos Archipelago. The blog post was released to coincide with World Ocean’s Day and included a link to the Chagos Conservation Trust website.http://google-latlong.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/explore-life-beneath-waves-in-honor-of.html A number of media outlets picked up the story. You…

Chagos on Instagram

As well as a Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/protectchagos), Chagos now also has an Instagram page.Follow some great images of Chagos on https://instagram.com/chagosconservationtrust/Chagos on Instagram

Professor Charles Sheppard awarded OBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2014

Professor Charles Sheppard, chairman of the Chagos Conservation Trust, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List 2014 for services to environmental conservation in the British Indian Ocean Territory. This is thoroughly deserved recognition for almost 40 years of work in research and conservation in the Chagos Archipelago. Charles' first visits to…

Coral Condition and Ocean Temperatures

For several years past, we have mapped the recovery of corals on reefs of the Chagos following the warm water event of 1998 that killed most of them. For simplicity in presentations I have generally shown the recovery in terms of average coral cover, with data from all sites pooled. Although we keep much data…

Good news for reefs - a big new MPA on the way

The Chagos Conservation Trust wholeheartedly welcome the government announcement to declare Pitcairn's waters a fully protected marine reserve. This latest addition to the UK’s growing network of ocean reserves in its overseas territories will make a valuable contribution to the health of the global marine environment. As we approach the five year anniversary of the…

Great British Oceans and the need for more large Marine Protected Areas

It is now well established that large marine protected areas (MPAs) are a very important way to conserve marine habitats. As the UK has territories with large marine EEZs spread around the globe, the creation of large MPAs in the overseas territories is a good way to contribute to protecting global marine biodiversity. A superb…

Turtle Research in Chagos: December 2014 update

By Graeme Hays of Swansea University (UK) & Nicole Esteban of Deakin University (Australia) In October 2014 Professor Graeme Hays and Nicole Esteban visited the Chagos Archipelago as part of our ongoing sea turtle conservation research that is being conducted in collaboration with Dr Jeanne Mortimer (University of Florida). Our most recent previous fieldtrip had…

CCT Trustees have meeting with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Chagossian Affairs

CCT was invited to address the All Party Parliamentary Group concerned with Chagossian and resettlement affairs (All Party Parliamentary Group - Chagos Islands (BIOT)). We were very grateful for this opportunity. Prior to the meeting we were asked for a briefing document a copy of which is available here. With Prof Charles Sheppard (Chair), Alistair…

BBC article on Chagos’ amazing coconut crabs

An article has just been published in the BBC Earth website which describes the amazing coconut crabs of Chagos. It is illustrated with images taken by several CCT members who are carrying out research on these huge arthropods.Chagos is a hugely important reserve for these heavily exploited creatures, whose numbers have increased dramatically since the…

CCT partner the Blue Marine Foundation named NGO of the year

The Blue Marine Foundation, one of CCT's partners and a member of the Chagos Environment Network (CEN), was last night named NGO of the year in the People Environment and Achievement (PEA) awards. The award was in recognition of 'the charity or NGO in the environment/sustainability sector that's really shaking things up - and getting…

Large-scale MPAs discussed in a Live Google+ Hangout

he World Parks Congress (WPC) Marine Theme has partnered with Google, Mission Blue, and the Online Ocean Symposium to deliver a series of LIVE Google+ Hangouts to open up the discussion about ocean issues to an online audience! Join participants as they discuss innovative ocean survey technologies, large-scale MPAs, high seas conservation, locally-managed MPAs, and…

4000 kilometer swim for Green Turtle

A satellite tagged Green Turtle has migrated an impressive 3979 kilometers from its breeding grounds in the Chagos Archipelago to its foraging grounds in Somalia on the east coast of Africa. This is the longest recorded migration for an adult cheloniid turtle. A total of eight of Green Turtles were tagged during their nesting on…

Chagos 2014 Darwin Science and Conservation Expedition Report

A report summarising the initial findings from the research gathered on the Chagos 2014 Darwin Science and Conservation Expedition has been compiled by the expedition leader, Dr Heather Koldewey, with input from all of the expedition participants. The report can be found in full at the following link in the CCT website resource section: http://chagos-trust.org/chagos-2014-darwin-science-and-conservation-expedition-report

Dismissal of the appeal against the BIOT MPA

Dismissal of the appeal against the BIOT MPA The decision to create a no take marine protected area of the British Indian Ocean Territory has been subject to challenge in court over the last few years. On 6 June 2014 the final appeal was dismissed with the decision to create the MPA standing on all…

CCT is seeking to appoint new Trustees to its Executive Committee

Application Deadline: 30 May 2014 The Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT) is a UK registered charity dedicated to promoting and conducting scientific and historical research and environmental conservation work in the Chagos. CCT is now seeking to appoint new Trustees to its Executive Committee. We would be especially interested to receive applications from those with experience…

BIOT Science Expedition 2014 comes to a close

The BIOT Science Expedition 2014 has now drawn to a close with participants dispersing around the world to analyse the data they have gathered and publish their results to further knowledge and insights of the BIOT Marine Protected Area.

CCT’s New Chagos Conservation and Management Plan submitted to BIOT Administration

At the request of the BIOT Administration, a group of scientists led by Professor Charles Sheppard, Adviser to the BIOT Commissioner, have drawn up a Conservation and Management Plan for BIOT. The paper, which also has input from the BIOT Science Advisory Group, makes recommendations to guide management of the Marine Protected Area. The BIOT…

Chagos 2014 Science Expedition

The 2014 science research expedition is about to depart to the northern atolls of Chagos. The 14 member team have a range of research projects to carry out to help understand and conserve this remarkable area.

Ile Vache Marine Bird Habitat Restoration Project Reconnaissance

In January a habitat restoration specialist, Grant Harper, visited the island of Vache Marine in the Chagos Archipelago as a precursor to a Darwin Initiative funded project to eradicate invasive rats in order to allow sea birds to return and nest there. This short video was shot during his visit and outlines the approach of…

The need for strong science in the resettlement feasibility study

The Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT) welcomes the forthcoming study into the Feasibility of Resettlement of the Chagos islands. In the interest and pursuit of scientific and historic research and conservation for the common good, we have published a note expressing the need for strong science to be a central element to the work of the…

President calls for ocean conservation to tackle rising sea levels

The President of Kiribati has expressed his fears about the need to evacuate the nation by 2050 due to rising sea levels. Writing in a book about the Phoenix Islands Protected Area - a sister Big Ocean Network site - he discusses opposition to its creation, urges people to face the reality of the problems…

A message from our new Chair

It is my pleasure to write this message, the first of 2014 as the new Chair of the Chagos Conservation Trust. The outgoing Chair, Alan Huckle did a fantastic job of steering us through the last two years and I hope that I do as well. This year is already shaping up to be an…

Chagossian Community Environment project

ZSL and the Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT) have teamed up to provide an environmental training programme to UK-based and overseas Chagossian communities. In a bid to help connect UK Chagossian’s with their wildlife heritage we will be running a two stage programme towards increasing environmental awareness within UK Chagossian communities, we then hope to extend…

New Global Oceans Commission to address “…emergency for future generations.”

The Chagos Conservation Trust welcomes the launch of the Global Oceans Commission today, which aims to highlight the degradation of our oceans and trigger action to protect the high seas. The independent body is made up of influential politicians from around the world and co-chaired by former Foreign Secretary, David Miliband. In 2010 David Miliband…

Chagos 20/20: CCT’s annual conference

The Chagos Conservation Trust's annual conference will be held this year on 18th November and is continuing our 20th anniversary celebrations by showcasing some of the most ground breaking science from Chagos over the past 20 years, as well as giving an update of the work conducted since last year’s conference. The conference line up…

Chagos 20/20: a successful conference

On Monday 18th November we held our annual scientific conference about the Chagos Archipelago. The theme this year was “CCT’s vision for the future of science in the Chagos Archipelago, based on 20 years of research”. Held at the Zoological Society of London’s Huxley theatre, the conference was supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts, Defra’s…

Chagos family fun

In May, Chagossian communities living in Crawley and Manchester enjoyed a further day of environmental learning, organised by the Zoological Society of London in partnership with the Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT). Families got to hear directly from members of their communities who have had the chance to accompany CCT scientific expeditions to the amazing Chagos…

Spotlight on Chagos Supporter

Extraordinary philanthopist and Dallas businesswoman Lyda Hill is a valued and important partner of the Pew Charitable Trusts. Through her relationship with Pew and the Global Ocean Legacy programme, Lyda has supported their work to protect more of the oceans, which has included the largest marine protected area in the world - Chagos. She is…

Chagos Coral Reefs are praised

The Times praised the Chagos Marine Reserve and the health of its coral reefs yesterday in a plea for Australia to do more to protect the Great Barrier Reef. The article stated “Two thousand miles east of Mombasa, in the world’s largest marine reserve, reefs thrive… Thanks directly to the water quality and indirectly to…

The 2013 Chagos Environment Training Course

"Connect Chagos", the second Environment Training Course with the Chagossian community is well under way both in Manchester and London. This course, run by ZSL (a member of the Chagos Environment Network), is bringing together two groups of enthusiastic individuals to learn about a range of environmental topics including habitat management, botany, corals, amphibians and…

New Feasibility Study Commissioned on Chagos

The Government has announced its intention to commission a new feasibility study into the possibility of resettling the Chagos Islands by FCO Minister, Mark Simmonds on 8 July 2013. CCT will submit its views on the wider BIOT policy review, announced in December last, including the feasibility study, by the deadline of 31 July set…

Simon Hughes, CCT secretary, appointed MBE

CCT welcomes the appointment of an MBE in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours to Simon Hughes, secretary of the Chagos Conservation Trust, for services to environmental conservation. Simon was one of the earliest members of CCT and has served as its secretary since its inception as the 'Friends of the Chagos' in 1993 when he…

Environmental Audit Committee Enquiry into the UK Overseas Territories

The UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee is currently undertaking an enquiry into sustainability in the UK Overseas Territories, including Chagos. NGOs were invited to submit evidence to this consultation. Earlier this week saw an oral evidence session with Ministers from the Foreign Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as…

High Court dismisses Judicial Review claim against the Chagos MPA

The judgment of the High Court in relation to judicial review proceedings instigated by Mr Louis Olivier Bancoult, challenging the decision to establish the strictly 'no-take' Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) in April 2010, has found in favour of the Secretary of State on all counts. Read the full…

Twenty years protecting the Chagos Archipelago

This month, the Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT) celebrated its twentieth anniversary. An evening reception kindly hosted by our first patron, Sir Bruce MacPhail, included presentations from some of CCT’s Trustees: “Chagos is a mind blowing, sensory overload wildlife experience. To sustain this vital refuge for nature is becoming increasingly important in the face of climate…

Coral Reefs of the UK Overseas Territories: Out Now!

Coral Reefs of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories, the fourth book in the popular Coral Reefs of the World series, is now available to buy online. Edited by CCT Trustee and Environmental Advisor to the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos) Administration Professor Charles Sheppard, the book features five chapters on the coral reefs of Chagos,…

November 2012 Expedition Report now available to download

Scientists tend to rely on catch data from commercial fishing to estimate fish stocks, so how can we monitor species numbers in reserves when the fishing fleets are gone? The answer might lie in the non-destructive techniques trialled on the first open water research expedition to the Chagos. Professor Jessica Meeuwig led the expedition. Her…

Happy Birthday Chagos Marine Reserve!

Latest Pictures from the World’s Largest Marine Reserve to Mark the Three Year Anniversary. Today, the world’s largest fully ‘no take’ marine reserve - the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos) Marine Protected Area - is three years old. We’ve put together some of the best images from our team’s latest scientific expedition to this remarkable…

UK marine reserves – a call for more

In the week that our expedition team researches the largest marine reserve in UK waters – the Chagos - around 2,000 people gathered outside the UK Parliament to call for more protection of the seas around the British Isles. Organised by the Marine Conservation Society, in association with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Fish Fight, the rally called…

New research underway to improve management of large-scale international marine reserves

In February, a global network of organisations launched a new research agenda to improve the effectiveness of large-scale marine protected areas (MPAs) around the world. Led by Big Ocean, the initiative provides a new framework for joint research and learning. This will help increase understanding of how marine ecosystems work, and the role of large…

Research team leaves for 2013 Chagos expedition

Today, four Trustees of the Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT) are leaving to join an international team of scientists on board a research ship in the Chagos Islands. The team will be studying marine and island wildlife in the world’s biggest no-take marine reserve. Their work will help develop vital monitoring techniques for the effective management…

European Court of Human Rights decision on Chagos Islanders case

On 11 December 2012, the European Court of Human Rights rejected Application 35622/04: Chagos Islanders v. The United Kingdom, lodged originally in 2004, on the grounds that it was inadmissible. The case concerns complaints made by the Chagos Islanders arising from their treatment between 1967 and 1973. The Court’s Decision is final without further right…

New Chagossian bursary scheme announced

Today the Chagos Conservation Trust is pleased to announce the launch of a new bursary scheme to support those members of the Chagossian community who wish to pursue training in conservation skills. This bursary scheme is intended to assist with the next stage of the Chagossian Community Environment project, run by the Zoological Society of…

New research expedition heading to Chagos next week

Between 19th November and 13th December 2012, a scientific research expedition will take place in the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory - BIOT), supported and facilitated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and numerous other institutions. Thirteen scientists and supporting team members will participate in the second full scientific expedition since the no-take marine…

Enforcing the world’s largest marine reserve

Last week the Greenpeace vessel the Rainbow Warrior sighted and boarded three Sri Lankan fishing vessels within the Chagos marine reserve. Two of these vessels were almost certainly fishing illegally and are not listed by the fisheries management body for the Indian Ocean, the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC). Greenpeace found piles of dead sharks…

Event: The Chagos Marine Reserve - Building on Success

We are pleased to announce:A joint meeting of the Chagos Conservation Trust and the Zoological Society of LondonThe Chagos Marine Reserve: Building on Success Tuesday 27th November 2012, 10:30 - 17:30, followed by drinks receptionAt the Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY The British Indian Ocean Territory Marine Protected Area is the…

Chagos Community Environment Project : Fun Day in Manchester

On Saturday 21st July CCT and ZSL were delighted to present a second family fun day for members of the Chagossian community in the UK, this time in Manchester. The day, kindly hosted by the Manchester Museum, was an opportunity for families to come and learn more about environmental issues in Chagos (BIOT) and the…

Chagos Community Environment Project: Chagos Fun Day

Saturday 7th July saw the first Chagos Fun Day for members of the Chagossian Community in the UK. Hosted by ZSL London Zoo, in cooperation with the Chagos Conservation Trust, Coral Cay Conservation, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, RSPB, Sea Urchins and the London School of Diving, families were invited to attend a fun packed educational…

A world without coral reefs

Dr Roger Bradbury, one of the world's leading coral reef scientists, has written an article published in the New York Times describing the tragic decline, and even demise, which he believes will happen to the coral reefs of the world. His view is very widely held amongst coral reef scientists. This article illustrates just how…

FCO publishes Overseas Territories white paper

Today the Foreign and Commonwealth Office published a white paper explaining how it intends to establish "stronger engagement" with the British Overseas Territories. Promoting environmental cooperation is a strong part of the white paper and this should benefit the Chagos Marine Reserve as well as all the other overseas territories. For more information, download a…

Chagossian Outreach Programme Project Underway

Following an FCO grant awarded to the Chagos Conservation Trust in March, plans are now underway for an environmental outreach programme aimed at Chagossian communities in the UK. The initial stages of this exciting project are to hold an open day at ZSL London Zoo, where family activities, talks and tours will focus on the…

New scientific review paper on Chagos

A new review paper, highlighting what is known about the state of the marine and terrestrial environment of the Chagos archipelago, has just been published by Wiley. The review, entitled “Reefs and islands of the Chagos Archipelago, Indian Ocean: why it is the world’s largest no-take marine protected area”, is authored by over 40 scientists…

Chagos Marine Reserve (British Indian Ocean Territory) - second anniversary progress report

British Indian Ocean Territory marine reserve - second anniversary This is a summary of some of the achievements of the Chagos Marine Reserve during its second year of operation (April 2011-April 2012). It was a year which has seen significant progress in developing and prioritising the necessary scientific research to support the conservation and long-term…

Consultation deadline extended to 5th March

We’ve just heard that the consultation deadline has been extended to the 5th March. This gives us three more weeks to try and convince the government that the creation of a no-take Protected Area in the Chagos is the right thing to do, and is supported by both NGOs and the general public. So, if…

Response: The Chagos islanders have nothing to fear from this marine reserve

Josh Reichert | The Guardian, Tuesday 7 June 2011 You reported claims that the designation of the Chagos Marine Reserve in the Indian Ocean will prevent Chagossians from returning (A land neglected and decaying, but it’s still our home; Environmentalists warn exiles of ‘delicate balance’, 20 May). We disagree. As your article says: “The islanders…

Chagos becomes a no fishing zone

LONDON – Commercial fishing around Chagos ended yesterday (October 31st) making it officially the largest no-take marine protected area (MPA) in the world. The remaining fishing licenses expired yesterday at midnight, following the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) decision to create the MPA on 1st April. This landmark date comes on the same day…

New research demonstrates that MPAs can benefit migratory species

Although few doubt the importance of highly protected marine reserves for coral reefs and reef-dwelling species, the idea that MPAs such as the Chagos Protected Area could also hep conserve migratory fish species such as tuna has sometimes been contested. New research, recently published in the journal Naturewissenschaften, provides some of the first direct evidence…

One Year On: The World’s Largest Marine Reserve

One year ago, the UK government established the Chagos Marine Reserve in the Indian Ocean, marking an historic victory for global ocean conservation. With this designation, the 55 islands and surrounding waters comprising the Chagos Island archipelago—one of the most remote and unspoiled marine areas on the planet—became the world’s largest no-take marine reserve. More…

World’s Marine Scientists Call for Large-Scale “National Parks at Sea”

Scientific Statement Released for World Oceans Day LONDON—More than 245 marine scientists from 35 countries, including the United Kingdom, are calling for the establishment of a worldwide system of very large, highly protected marine reserves as “an essential and long overdue contribution to improving stewardship of the global oceanic environment.” While small marine reserves are…

UK Designates World’s Largest Marine Reserve

LONDON — Secretary of State David Miliband today designated the Chagos, a U.K. territory in the middle of the Indian Ocean, as a no-take marine reserve. This declaration will make it the largest marine protected area in the world, totaling more than 210,000 square miles (544,000 square kilometres), an area twice the size of the…

IUCN response to the consultation

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), one of the most well-respected and influential conservation bodies in the world, has today published online its response to the Chagos consultation.