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Written question asked by Priti Patel (Conservative) on Thursday, 13 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 November 2025. It was answered by Stephen Doughty (Labour) on Friday, 21 November 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.


Chagos Islands: Marine Protected Areas

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 88230 on Chagos Islands: Marine Protected Area, whether Mauritius has provided information on the annual quota for each fish stock to be granted in the proposed (a) 612,611 km2 Conservation Zone, (b) 2,251 km2 Habitat Protection Zone and (c) 7,261 km2 Traditional Zone for Resettlement.

Answer

We welcome the 3 November announcement by the Mauritian government confirming plans for the establishment of a Marine Protected Area after entry into force of the Treaty. The proposed zones of the future protected area will utilise the internationally recognised categories of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

There will be no commercial fishing across the entire 640,000 square kilometre area. The Great Chagos Bank will be given one of the highest levels of protection, with the rest of the Marine Protected Area categorised as a highly protected conservation zone. There will be limited provision for controlled levels of artisanal fishing in confined zoned areas intended for resettlement, to allow for subsistence fishing by any Chagossian communities that resettle, while maintaining the commitment to nature conservation.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
90684
Session
2024-26
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Subjects
Mauritius Sovereignty Marine protected areas Chagos Islands
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk