Comments on: Socio-economic considerations of establishing a Marine Protected Area in the Chagos Archipelago http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/2010/03/12/socio-economic-considerations-of-establishing-a-marine-protected-area-in-the-chagos-archipelago/ Advancing ecology and making it count Tue, 14 May 2013 07:10:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Rose Acland http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/2010/03/12/socio-economic-considerations-of-establishing-a-marine-protected-area-in-the-chagos-archipelago/#comment-1622 Rose Acland Sun, 04 Apr 2010 19:38:11 +0000 http://britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/?p=900#comment-1622 Very well written post. Just stumbled across an excellent site with UK government documents on it – http://www.officialdocumentwatch.com is a really well built site and them seem to be very up to date – always posting the latest UK government documents released to the public. Worth a look.

]]> By: Mark Spalding http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/2010/03/12/socio-economic-considerations-of-establishing-a-marine-protected-area-in-the-chagos-archipelago/#comment-1621 Mark Spalding Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:41:13 +0000 http://britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/?p=900#comment-1621 The BES IS sufficiently “well-placed” to be aware that conservation does not take place in a political vacuum.

My contention is that naive scientific arguments without any political context have certainly, already alienated key stakeholders who could manage the natural resources of Chagos in as little as 6 months time. At best an opportunity has been missed, at worst the setting may be being laid for long-term environmental mis-management.

]]> By: Policy_Team http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/2010/03/12/socio-economic-considerations-of-establishing-a-marine-protected-area-in-the-chagos-archipelago/#comment-1620 Policy_Team Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:36:24 +0000 http://britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/?p=900#comment-1620 The BES response to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office consultation on the MPA in the Chagos islands was formulated on the basis of scientific evidence, within the framework of the questions and options given in the consultation document.

Given the role of the BES in representing the views and knowledge of the ecological community, we are not well-placed to advise on issues relating to the wider political context surrounding the situation in the Chagos Islands. However, we do acknowledge that these issues bear on the process, and indeed we state in our response to the consultation that our recommendations are based on the current situation and should be reconsidered if necessary depending on the outcome of the proceedings at the European Court of Human Rights. In addition, our response recognises that the effectiveness of the MPA would be enhanced by engaging local communities in the conservation and management of the BIOT MPA.

]]> By: Mark Spalding http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/2010/03/12/socio-economic-considerations-of-establishing-a-marine-protected-area-in-the-chagos-archipelago/#comment-1619 Mark Spalding Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:29:43 +0000 http://britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/?p=900#comment-1619 A strange article which leaves readers in suspense. Are you trying to say that BES submitted its proposal in January without benefit of the knowledge of the Royal Holloway report? and by clearly stating the concerns raised in that report are you suggesting that the BES feels that its earlier submission was perhaps ill-informed? If you are I feel it would be sensible to be clearer and not to shy away from informing the review process on this front.
I have stated publicly in many fora that, even if you care not one jot about human rights issues, there are strong biodiversity and arguments against taking up the line that BES has supported in its submission. Both Chagossians and Mauritians are infuriated by this process – they are key stakeholders that have been sidelined. They support conservation, but now no-longer want an MPA. The political background for this MPA could shift within months – returning Chagossians or the granting of full Mauritian sovereignty to the northern atolls (currently being discussed in Westminster) would both lead to the rescinding of MPA legislation, while many of the top conservation and reef ecology experts have engendered mistrust by their actions to date.
Speaking up, even at this late hour, will at least improve the chances of establishing a strong conservation regime under a change of politics in Chagos…and it is then that conservation will be most sorely needed.

]]> By: Edd Hind http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/2010/03/12/socio-economic-considerations-of-establishing-a-marine-protected-area-in-the-chagos-archipelago/#comment-1618 Edd Hind Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:16:59 +0000 http://britishecologicalsociety.org/blog/?p=900#comment-1618 A good article but a little disappointed with official response of the BES to be honest. Although I agree with the ecological conclusions the response barely pays lip service to the Chagossians. This is perhaps more of a limitation of the options provided by the government I myself backed a fourth option supported by the Marine Education Trust that put Chagossians rights and environmental protection high on the agenda.

]]>