‘Tristan da Cunha’ island created Marine Protection Zone

Recently, the world’s most remote inhabited settlement – Tristan Da Cunha Island – has been declared as a marine protection zone. Tristan da Cunha is a small group of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. The purpose of creating a marine protection zone in the area is to safeguard aquatic animals, wildlife in the area and end harmful activities in the area.

About Tristan da Cunha

  • The island group is a British overseas territory. It is also a home to 250 inhabitants on the main island.
  • It was discovered by the Dutch in 1643. This discovery led to establishing the territory’s first permanent settlement. Its possession was acquired by Britain in 1816.
  • Apart from being home to very few inhabitants, the island group is also home to millions of seabirds and several unique land birds. Even the water around the island is considered to be the richest in terms of minerals.
  • The major source of income is commercial fishing for crayfish, also known as the Tristan Rock Lobster, a luxury product in the U.S., Europe, Japan and China.
  • The archipelago is also home to the World Heritage Site of Gough and Inaccessible Islands. It is considered to be the most important seabird island in the world.

Benefits of creating Marine Protection Zone in the island

  • The Marine protection zone created in the island will help to safeguard endangered species. Species include rockhopper penguins, yellow-nosed albatross and wildlife including whales, dolphins and sub Antarctic fur seals surrounding the island.
  • Activities like fishing and some extractive activities like sand extraction and deep sea mining will be banned in this area. It will result in environmental upgradation.

Pew Bertarelli project

This project is a joint venture of the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Bertarelli Foundation. The Pew Bertarelli project will also help Tristan da Cunha to protect its water. It will provide technological help that uses real-time data to evaluate ocean conditions and human activity such as fishing. This project mainly promotes the creation of marine reserves around the world.