This year’s issue of Chagos News has been published

This year's issue of Chagos News is out! And it's packed with articles about the latest conservation research and work happening in the Chagos Archipelago - read it here.

The cover story is a report on the Trust's latest expedition by Healthy Islands, Healthy Reefs Programme Lead, Pete Haverson, accompanied by an impressive cover shot of the team on the British Patrol Vessel taken by drones used during the operation in Peros Banhos which, if successful, would result in the longest predator-free island chain in the Indian Ocean (145 hectares) - early indicators are positive.

Other articles include:
How deploying baited underwater video systems led to the first sighting of the sliteye shark in the waters of the Great Chagos Bank, by members of Swansea University’s Marine Conservation Ecology Lab. led by CCT Trustee Dr Nicole Esteban;

University of Plymouth and Manta Trust's Dr Joanna Harris reports on work identifying Egmont Atoll as a key site for the illegal fishing of devil rays, now sadly listed as Critically Endangered;

Our Youth Ambassador, Martina Reina Canitrot, reports on her journey to becoming a marine biologist - including work experience on a seagrass restoration project in Europe, and sea turtle research in the Caribbean;

St. Andrew's University's Dr Danielle Harris writes about whales and the difficulty involved in monitoring them in such a remote location as the Chagos, and how the use of underwater hydrophones has been a game changer;

Finally, the British Indian Ocean Territory Administration’s Senior Environmental Officer, George Balcombe, shares his reflections on spending three years in the role, as the islands face challenges ranging from plastic pollution to global warming.

Chagos News is edited by CCT's Director, Sarah Puntan-Galea, and designed by Michelle Bhatia. The cover shot is by Andy Bourne from Provision.