Island of Tristan da Cunha Establishes Marine Preservation Zone, Triple the Size of the United Kingdom
In a significant move for marine conservation, the remote four-island archipelago of Tristan da Cunha in the south Atlantic Ocean is creating a massive marine protected area (MPA). The new MPA, spanning almost 700,000 square km, will make up 90% of the waters around the island chain and will be a "no-take zone," protecting a wealth of wildlife.
This decision comes as a stark contrast to the management of the UK's existing protected areas, where an investigation has revealed that all but two of Britain's offshore MPAs are being bottom trawled. Critics have been quick to point out this discrepancy, with NGOs and conservation groups questioning the UK government's support for marine protection in its overseas territories.
The collaboration for the MPA involves the Tristan da Cunha and U.K. governments, as well as conservation groups such as The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and National Geographic's Society's Pristine Seas initiative. The MPA will join the UK's Blue Belt Programme, which currently protects nearly 7 million sq km of marine ecosystems around the world.
The new MPA will offer protection to tens of millions of seabirds that roost on the island, including sevengill sharks, the endangered yellow-nosed albatross, Atlantic petrel, rockhopper penguins, and other birds. It will also safeguard seal, shark, and whale habitats, serving as a critical nursery for blue sharks.
A study found that expanding the current network of protected areas by 5% could boost global fish catch by at least 20%. Experts view MPAs as a silver bullet for conservation, and this new MPA around Tristan da Cunha is expected to play a crucial role in preserving the health of the world's oceans.
The UK government will be responsible for the long-term monitoring and enforcement of the MPA. The government's target of protecting 30% of the world's oceans by 2030 will be partially achieved with this MPA, marking a significant step towards global marine conservation efforts.
Moreover, the small lobster fishery outside the sanctuary will be bolstered, ensuring that local communities benefit from the protection of their marine resources. Tristan da Cunha's commitment to marine conservation sets an inspiring example for other nations to follow.
However, it's worth noting that only 2.6% of the world's oceans are totally off limits to fishing, highlighting the need for more countries to take a proactive approach to marine protection. The UK government's criticism for protecting other territories' waters but not its own continues to be a topic of debate among conservation groups.
Despite this, the creation of the MPA around Tristan da Cunha is a promising development in the fight to protect the world's oceans and the diverse life they support.
