CAMPA: Mauritius Officializes the Protection of 645,000 km² Around the Chagos

The Mauritian government has decided to establish the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area (CAMPA), a marine protected area covering approximately 645,835 km².

This area will be divided into four sections according to IUCN categories:

A strict conservation zone (23,712 km²) to protect the sensitive ecosystems of the Great Chagos Bank, with guided visits for the Chagossian community.

A general conservation zone (612,611 km²), aimed at preserving seamounts, corals, and marine species. Fishing will be permitted under sustainable quotas for traditional practices.

A habitat protection zone (2,251 km²), allowing limited artisanal fishing and small-scale tourism.

A traditional resettlement zone (7,261 km²) to support the sustainable resettlement of Chagossians, while protecting landscapes and marine wildlife.

No commercial fishing will be allowed throughout the CAMPA, which aims to combine ecological preservation with sustainable resettlement.