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Written question asked by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 February 2026. It was answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour) on Monday, 9 February 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Chagos Islands: Fisheries

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what reassurance they have had from the government of Mauritius in relation to its capabilities to prevent illegal fishing in the Chagos Islands marine protected area since July 2024.

Answer

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given in the House of Commons on 21 November 2025 to Question 90684, which is reproduced below for ease of reference:

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
HL13983
Session
2024-26
Related items
Chagos Islands: Marine Protected Areas
Friday, 21 November 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Fisheries Mauritius Chagos Islands
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk