UK creates world’s largest marine reserve in Indian Ocean, close to key US military base
By APThursday, April 1, 2010
UK creates world’s largest marine reserve
LONDON — Britain says it is creating the world’s largest marine reserve around the Chagos Islands, the U.K.-owned archipelago in the Indian Ocean.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said Thursday commercial fishing will be banned in around a quarter of a million square miles.
It is hoped that the region will become an important territory for scientific research and the preservation of coral reefs. The government says the waters contain about 60 endangered species.
Of the 55 Chagos Islands, only one is inhabited — Diego Garcia, which Britain leases to the U.S. military. The U.S. and Britain have acknowledged the island was a stop for extraordinary rendition flights.
Britain says the marine reserve status would not interfere with the operation of the military base.
