Todays blog was written by Dale Richards, Atlantic Guardians Communications Lead, reporting on the amazing event RSPB has held at the Speaker's House.
The pristine waters around Tristan da Cunha, one of our UK Overseas Territories, was legally designated in 2021 as the biggest no-take area in the Atlantic and an official reception in Speaker’s House, Westminster was held just last week, on 10 of May, to celebrate this huge conservation success story.
The designation of the Tristan da Cunha Marine Protection Zone, a 690,000km2 area – nearly twice the size of the Great Barrier Reef – will safeguard one of the world’s most pristine marine environments and protect the wealth of wildlife that lives there including critically endangered albatrosses, rockhopper penguins, blue sharks and beaked whales.
An official celebration at Westminster
The Government of Tristan da Cunha and the RSPB hosted an evening reception at Speakers House, which was attended by over 70 select guests including members of the Tristan community, government agencies, parliamentarians, charitable trusts and foundations, and marine organisations all of whom have supported Tristan on its journey to designation.
The event was an amazing opportunity to reflect on the rollercoaster of the last two decades of partnership work.
For the first time many of the people involved in the designation of the MPZ were finally able to get together in one place and celebrate this conservation success. The room was filled with smiles and positivity and hope for the future.
In a video message from The Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith, Minister of State (Minister for the Pacific and the International Environment), said
“The extraordinary pledge that you made in 2020 to protect an area of ocean three times the size of the UK distinguishes Tristan da Cunha as the big hearted, big nature, ocean giant of this world. And that pledge has created hope.
It is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most inspiring conservation success stories in my lifetime that a community of only 250 people, in one of the worlds remote places, is deeply committed to securing the future of the marine environment on which it ultimately depends and not just for their own benefit but for us all.
And everyone from the Price of Wales to Leonardo di Caprio, from Silvia Earle to the Prime Minister and thousand more know what you’ve done and share your story. Tristan's impact continues to ripple out across the globe and will continue to do so for many decades to come.”
James Glass, Chief Islander of Tristan da Cunha, and Head of the Fisheries Department said,“If the world's most remote community can make a difference, others across the world can follow suit. Today Tristan's can be proud as the world recognises us as true guardians of the south Atlantic.”
Members of the Trisan community shared what the ocean means to them in this video message.
RSPB Chief Executive, Beccy Speight said,
“The MPZ designation is testament to the far sightedness of the community who also run one of the world's most sustainable lobster fisheries and both [marine conservation and sustainable fishing] are possible together. We can do both.
It has been a privilege for the RSPB and its team to support this project over the last 20 years. Our staff have felt honoured to be part of the Tristan family.
Thank you to the Tristan community. You are Atlantic Guardians and a shining example to communities over the world. We look forward to supporting the work to manage the MPZ and showcase its wonders to the world.”
The Marine Protection Zone faces some unique challenges due to its location around the world’s most remote inhabited island and its small community of around 250 residents, yet the Tristan da Cunha community members are acutely aware that their way of life depends on a healthy ocean, and they are proud to protect it for future generations
To help build a strong and sustainable foundation for the MPZ, the RSPB is working closely with the Tristan Government on the Atlantic Guardians project which has funding and support from the Blue Nature Alliance. The Atlantic Guardians project aims to support the community with marine resource management and bolster community development for the long term through a range of management, science, community engagement, communications and global outreach activities.