Chagos Marine Preserve Established

[robinlyn3]

I've been to Diego Garcia and spoken/drank with the BIOT Commander. The owners of the copra industry on the island sold out to the Brit Gov. Business wasn't too good anyway. Since there was no longer any work for employees on the island, and they loudly protested that their "anchor babies" somehow gave them native rights, the Brits decided to remove the irritants to a more docile location. Besides, $14K in the 1960s went a long way. If there were a local population allowed on the islands they'd have been picked clean by now. Much like the fisheries of the Galapagos.

[Mata'irea]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

does the recent estabhlistment of the reserve further hamper cruisers ability to visit

Dave

Dave, The establishment of the marine reserve has not altered the rules allowing yachts to visit Chagos, not yet anyway. Chagos is amazing. If you can get there while it is still open to cruisers, go. Check out our blog for lots of gorgeous (if I do say so myself) pictures: http://matairea.blogspot.com/search/label/Chagos

And just to clear up some confusion in the other responses . . . the rule makers went out of their way to emphasize that the establishment of the reserve would in no way prohibit the Chagosians from returning. Their case is still pending before the European Court of Human Rights, which will be decided in the next few months.

Cheers,
Danika