Students from St Helena, Tristan da Cunha and Ascension Island have filmed and swapped videos about their island life and the unique marine worlds that surround them.
This knowledge exchange is the first time young people across the islands have come together to share their experiences and pride about their marine environments. The project is supported by Atlantic Guardians, a Tristan da Cunha community-led project supported by the RSPB, Tristan da Cunha Government and Blue Nature Alliance, as well as Ascension Island MPA Youth Committee and St Helena National Trust.
One Tristan da Cunha student commented: “What we love about our island is the freedom we have and how we all help each other. Our ocean is enormous and mysterious, and we rely on it for our food. There is so much yet to be discovered.”
The RSPB’s Andy Schofield said: “We hope this video exchange will be the first step in creating a South Atlantic Marine Schools Network, where lesson plans, marine-themed events and experiences can be shared across the island communities. Getting the children involved in marine conservation from a young age will help to secure the next generations of custodians for their Marine Protected Areas.”
Within the last decade, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha and Ascension Island have designated their waters as Marine Protected Areas (MPA). This means they have clearly defined areas of water that are protected and managed to safeguard marine life and livelihoods.
The marine life across the territories is rich and vibrant. We’re talking Whale Sharks in St Helena, Green Turtles in Ascension, and Northern Rockhopper Penguins in Tristan da Cunha.
“It’s a unique place because it’s so small and everybody knows each other. It’s an open and safe area and it’s a simple lifestyle here. I love this island because of the beaches and the sea, there’s lots of things to see when you swim in the ocean”.
Ascension Island MPA Youth Committee member
In 2020, the remote Tristan community of around 250 residents designated 91% of their waters a Marine Protection Zone (MPZ). At 690,000km2, this is the largest MPZ in the South Atlantic – and nearly three times the size of the UK. Albatross soar over the waters around Tristan, while seals cram onto the beaches. Sharks patrol the giant kelp forest and whales lurk in the deep. Fishing and the export of Rock Lobster makes up over half of the island’s economy so sustainable fishing by residents is maintained and protected in the inshore fishing zones.
In 2019, the people of Ascension Island designated the entirety of its Exclusive Economic Zone, 445,000km2, as a Marine Protected Area, where all large-scale commercial fishing is prohibited and no fishing of any kind, other than licensed research fishing, will be permitted beyond 12 nautical miles of the island. This remote island is home to over half a million breeding seabirds, including the Ascension Island Frigatebird. Ascension’s sandy beaches support the second largest population of nesting Green Turtles in the Atlantic.
In 2016, the community of St Helena designated the 200 nautical miles surround the island as a Category VI (Sustainable Use) Marine Protected Area, conserving their marine life and cultural traditions for future generations. St Helena is home to Endangered Whale Sharks, Humpback Whales, dolphins, tuna and breeding Storm Petrels, boobies, terns and noddies.
“Collectively the three UK Overseas Territories in the South Atlantic have designated over 1.5 million km2 of UK waters as Marine Protected Areas. They’re safeguarding amazing marine environments, from underwater volcanoes and coral reefs to rocky shores and cliff stacks crammed with breeding seabirds. They’re protecting endangered marine life including penguins, albatross, turtles and Whale Sharks. These small remote communities are setting an example to the rest of the world on how to take bold steps to conserve our oceans!”
“I couldn’t be more proud of the MPA Youth Committee. They are always keen to get involved in protecting Ascension’s wildlife, whether that’s cleaning a beach, removing invasive weeds, raising environmental awareness, or learning more about the local wildlife through tours and scientific talks. The South Atlantic Marine Schools Network is a fantastic platform for them to express their joy and passion for Ascension’s unique marine life, collaborating with like-minded children across the Atlantic to safeguard our ocean. I am very excited to see where this project will lead...”
“On St Helena we are proud of our Ocean Literacy programme that we are establishing and embedding in school curriculum and the wider community. We are excited about this Network, which is a great platform to share and learn more from our sister islands and the Atlantic MPAs. We have enthusiastic children who are on the journey to become great advocates to promote and protect St Helena waters.”
About Marine Protected Areas in this article by RSPB’s Andy Schofield.
