Protecting the Environment of the British Indian Ocean Territory

The wildlife and environment of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) are exceptional. The Territory has the greatest marine biodiversity in the UK and its Overseas Territories, as well as some of the cleanest seas and healthiest reef systems in the world. BIOT is home to the world’s biggest arthropod, the coconut crab, which can reach up to one metre across, with densities on Diego Garcia amongst the highest globally. The outer islands and atolls are colonized by internationally important numbers of seabirds, with many thousands of pairs of sooty terns, brown boobies and red-footed boobies regularly breeding there. Endemic species of coral and reef fish inhabit the c. 4,000 km² of shallow coral reefs, which also support over six times the amount of fish that are found on any other Indian Ocean reef.
This film is aimed at those working in or transiting through the British Indian Ocean Territory. In addition to showing the natural treasures of BIOT it shows and how those in the Territory can help protect and preserve the environment.
This project was made possible with funding from the EU BEST initiative, and is aimed at raising awareness on protecting species and habitats in BIOT.
BEST is a voluntary scheme for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories. The BEST initiative seeks to promote the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of ecosystem services including ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation in the EU outermost regions and overseas countries and territories.