Gordon Brown could create Britain’s Great Barrier Reef

© Anne and Charles Sheppard

There's still time to show your support - consultation period extended until 5th March 2010.

A three-month public consultation is underway to persuade Gordon Brown to protect the Chagos Archipelago a group of 55 tropical British islands, which lie in the heart of the Indian Ocean. This week the 10,000th person signed up in support of the campaign.

Conservationists from ZSL are calling on the British public to support the move which could result in the creation of one of the world’s greatest conservation areas.

ZSL is part of the Chagos Environment Network (CEN) who put forward the proposal to protect the giant reef, which is twice the size of Britain (544,000 sq km area) and boasts the cleanest sea water ever recorded on Earth.

Rachel Jones, Deputy Team Leader of ZSL London Zoo’s Aquarium, said: “If Gordon Brown declares the Chagos Archipelago a marine protected area it will be one of the biggest conservation breakthroughs for 100 years.

“The Chagos Archipelago is home to over 220 coral species and 1000 fish species. It’s one of the best quality reefs that we have left, and gives us a good comparison to reefs which are ailing because of climate change and rising sea temperatures.

“This underwater Garden of Eden could be a legacy that Gordon Brown will really be proud of.”

William Marsden, Chairman of the Chagos Conservation Trust, added: “Britain has a rare opportunity to protect this marvellous but fragile natural environment, creating a conservation area comparable in importance with the Galapagos or the Great Barrier Reef.

“A protected area in Chagos would contribute to a richer Indian Ocean and would benefit people living in and around it.”

The consultation period has been extended until 5th March 2010.

Visit www.protectchagos.org to add your support.

_{All images are © Chagos Environment Network (CEN)}