Chagos Marine Protected Area
Pelagos Sanctuary This sanctuary, intended to protect marine mammals, sadly has weak legislation governing it, insufficient resources and no management body. It might be considered a paper park – existing only on paper, with no effective in-the-water protection.
Touted as the largest no-take marine protected area in the world, Chagos has been controversial for preventing the original Chagossians, who were previously deported, from ever returning because it stops them from fishing – their main livelihood. Chagos does allow fishing by military personnel stationed there. Learn more about giant marine protected areas, their pros and cons on pages 30-35.
Octopus’s gardens
Ar t work by Miguel Oliveira
Small, locally managed marine protected areas are yielding great benefits for fishing communities in Madagascar. See more on pages 40-43.
Goukamma Marine Protected Area This little protected area on the South African coast has done great things for an endemic reef fish and local fishers. Find out more on pages 20-21.
Source: IUCN and UNEP-WCMC (2013). The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) Official Map Series: Marine Protected Areas. Series M01. WDPA October 2013 Release.
Prince Edward Islands Marine Protected Area The strange shape of this protected area was designed to align with the foraging routes of seabirds and seals that visit the islands.