Scientists from around the globe will be able to explore some of
the world’s most untouched marine habitats and potentially
discover new life underwater thanks to the creation of a new
marine science base on the remote Pitcairn Islands.
This remote volcanic outcrop and its three neighbouring islands
in the South Pacific are a UK Overseas Territory and the third
largest continuous ‘Highly Protected’ Marine Protected Area in
the world – with some of the planet’s most pristine coral reefs
and an abundance of sea life not seen anywhere else on earth.
The base will provide visiting scientists with a range of
equipment – from remote operated vehicles to cutting-edge
underwater video technology – to allow them to monitor the health
of marine habitats that are mostly untouched by humans.
Iona Thomas, Governor to Pitcairn and British High Commissioner
to New Zealand, said:
The ocean around the Pitcairn Islands is one of the most pristine
places on earth and home to a treasure trove of sharks, fish,
corals and other marine life not seen anywhere else in the world.
I’m delighted to be able to open the new marine science base here
in Pitcairn with the support of the local community.
I hope this base will attract a continuous cycle of scientists to
the islands and provide a huge boost to our knowledge of marine
science in what is one of the last remaining untouched marine
habitats on the planet.
, Ministers for the Americas
and with responsibility for Overseas territories at the Foreign,
Commonwealth and Development Office, said:
Studying our oceans is crucial to understanding the impact of
climate change, land-based pollution and habitat degradation, and
the opening of our new marine science base will ensure that we
are better equipped to protect our ocean waters against such
threats.
The UK has always placed great importance on conducting
scientific research to safeguard our valuable marine protected
areas and I encourage scientists from all over the world to visit
and utilise this tremendous base.
The Pitcairn Islands MPA was created in 2016 and is now the third
largest continuous ‘Highly Protected’ MPA in the world.
As a ‘Highly Protected’ MPA with fully intact marine ecosystems,
no commercial fishing is allowed across the 842,000 square
kilometres of waters around Pitcairn’s four islands. This makes
Pitcairn an important reference point to help scientists study
marine biodiversity and assess the impacts of climate change –
and in turn measure the benefits of marine protected areas.
The pristine coral habitats of the Pitcairn Islands’ will be a
barometer on ocean climate change, particularly as oceans get
warmer and more acidic, which is happening in more northerly
equatorial waters. The corals grow in deeper, clearer, and cooler
waters compared to most other tropical coral reefs and because of
their isolation they harbour species found nowhere else in
the world.
Specialists from the Blue Belt Programme, the UK government’s
flagship marine conservation programme that works with the UK
Overseas Territories, provided advice and assistance for the
set-up and is funding the University of St Andrews to work with
residents to undertake the management and governance of the
laboratory.
Joseph Peters, Integrated Marine Manager, Blue Belt Programme,
said:
We are honoured to work with the government of Pitcairn through
the Blue Belt Programme to help secure the long-term protection
of their marine environment. This new marine science base is a
fantastic facility that will provide visiting scientists and the
local community with the space and equipment they need to
generate evidence that will support the sustainable management of
Pitcairn’s Marine Protected Area.
Over 1,250 marine species have been recorded in the waters around
Pitcairn, including 3 species of whales that are listed as
endangered on the International Union for Conservation of
Nature’s Red List.
The area is also home to hawksbill and green turtles (critically
endangered and endangered, respectively); as well as 3 species of
endangered seabirds; one critically endangered fish and one
endangered fish. There are also 5 species of endemic bony fishes
found nowhere else on Earth.
One of Pitcairn’s outer islands, Ducie, plays an important role
as a shark nursery and there are growing numbers of Humpback
whales coming into Pitcairn’s waters every year to calve.
Pitcairn is home to only around 40 inhabitants and the marine
science base has been built locally by these residents. It will
be locally-managed with the support of the UK government and UK
academia.
Pitcairn’s MPA was awarded a Platinum Status ‘Blue Park Award’ by
the Marine Conservation Institute in February in recognition of
its exceptional marine wildlife conservation.
