Chagos (BIOT) - New Rules

[Bob]

New rules for cruisers wishing to visit Chagos (BIOT) in the Indian Ocean.

Official policy of BIOT as from January 2011
"The rules governing mooring permits are due to change on 01 January 2011. The fee structure will move to a weekly fee of £50 and the maximum stay permitted will be 28 days. Applications for visits in 2011 that are received in 2010 still attract the old fee of £100 per month but the Commissioner will NOT authorise any permits of more than 3 months."

[Peros Banhos]

I don't understand the new 3 month limit. I thought the Foreign Office wanted the income. Perhaps it was a compromise between those in the FCO who wanted the income and those who wanted cruisers banned completely.

A further complication is that two weeks ago, on 1 December, the commercial fishing licenses for BIOT expired and will not be renewed, so under the Marine Protected Area regulations, the whole of the northern Chagos is now an absolute no-take zone for everyone, no exceptions.

The cruising permit regulations, however, allow for limited fishing, for local consumption only. These conflicting regulations have not been explained. Obviously, one or the other needs to be changed.

[GordMay]

See also ➥ http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post579399

[Laidback]

Originally Posted by Peros Banhos

I don't understand the new 3 month limit. I thought the Foreign Office wanted the income. Perhaps it was a compromise between those in the FCO who wanted the income and those who wanted cruisers banned completely.

A further complication is that two weeks ago, on 1 December, the commercial fishing licenses for BIOT expired and will not be renewed, so under the Marine Protected Area regulations, the whole of the northern Chagos is now an absolute no-take zone for everyone, no exceptions.

The cruising permit regulations, however, allow for limited fishing, for local consumption only. These conflicting regulations have not been explained. Obviously, one or the other needs to be changed.

The new rules for 2011 starting 1st January 2011 have not yet appeared on the official; BIOT FCO website.
The existing rules last updated on the 14th January this year.
provide the following regarding fishing :-
"All unlicensed fishing (except non-commercial fishing by rod or line for your consumption within three days) is also prohibited. In order to assist the BIOT Fisheries Officers in monitoring fish stocks, you must record numbers of fish taken, the species and size. "
The new rules will state that NO commercial fishing will be permitted by anyone. No dive equipment allowed , No spear guns. Only personal fishing allowed. Only rod and/or line to be used to catch fish - which if caught must be consumed within 3 days.