Support the world's largest Marine Protected Area around the Chagos Islands

I have signed this petition and hope that others will also. I really hope that the UK government will do the right thing on this as it would be a real breakthrough for the marine environment.

Dear friends,


This Friday, the UK government could make history by creating the world’s largest Marine Protected Area around the Chagos Islands.

Our ocean ecosystems are literally dying under pressure from mass, uncontrolled commercial fishing and pollution. This d ecision could start to turn the tide. But commercial fishing companies are opposing the move, putting short term profits ahead of all sense. We can’t let that happen -- already, over 90% of big fish like tuna and marlin are gone.

Together, let’s send the UK government a tidal wave of global public support urging them to be bold and protect oceans from exploitation. Sign the petition below, then forward it to everyone you know. It will be delivered to Foreign Secretary David Miliband by the deadline this Friday!

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_our_oceans/97.php?cl_tta_sign=e8b4f945d220206669a7c72a07662705

The reports are dire: in 38 years, our oceans could be completely fished-out, in 100 years, all coral reefs might be dead. This action alone won’t be enough to turn the tide. But it will establish a 210,000 square-mile Marine Protected Area -- bigger than the Great Barrier Reef.

To truly save the world’s oceans from collapse will require bol d political leadership and dedicated citizens taking action. In 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity, a UK decision to create the world's largest Marine Protected Area would secure a conservation legacy almost unrivalled in scale and significance. This would set a clear example to other governments around the world.

Let's drown out the voices of the commercial fishing companies, and lay the foundation for protecting our oceans for generations to come. Sign the petition below, and forward it to friends and family:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_our_oceans/97.php?cl_tta_sign=e8b4f945d220206669a7c72a07662705


With hope,

Alice, Iain, Paul, and the rest of the Avaaz team



More info:

Protect Chagos:

http://protectchagos.org/



Why is Overfishing a problem?:

http://overfishing.org/pages/why_is_overfishing_a_problem.php



World's coral reefs could disintegrate by 2100:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/feb/23/worlds-coral-reefs-disintegrate-2100