Atlantic Guardians project

Knowing more about the wildlife in our seas and skies is crucial if we are to protect it. Atlantic Guardians enabled us to build our knowledge about the range of species that rely on our corner of the ocean. Here are a few examples:

Sounds of the South Atlantic

We learnt more about the cetaceans (primarily whales and dolphins) that frequent Tristan’s pristine waters, by placing acoustic monitors (audio recorders) in our waters to capture their sounds.

This research programme was run as a partnership between the Tristan Conservation Department, the RSPB, British Antarctic Survey and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Blue Shark tagging

We suspect there is a nursery for Blue Sharks in our waters, and the project supported our Conservation Department to fit more satellite tags to these threatened fish, so that we can monitor how they use our waters and the wider ocean.

Administering and enforcing a marine protected area is complex. Atlantic Guardians helped us to build the skills and networks we need. Just a few examples include:

✔  Supporting the recruitment and training of a Tristanian Marine Protection Zone Officer.

✔  Supporting global knowledge exchange trips for Tristan’s Fisheries and Conservation departments, to share learning and build connections with experts in sustainable fisheries and marine conservation.

✔  Helping to establish an expert Marine Protection Zone Advisory Committee that will support the Tristan Government and community with marine management strategies and decisions.

✔  Carrying out a detailed review of Tristan’s fishery concession, which aided negotiations when the concession was re-tendered in 2023, helping to bring about the best result for Tristan, and in turn supporting future marine management.

✔  Developing a Young Ocean Champions programme, to equip young Tristanians for their future role as guardians of their MPZ. Four teenagers travelled to South Africa and the UK for training in everything from powerboat driving and diesel engine maintenance to first aid.

✔  Providing accredited scuba training, with four young people now certified PADI Rescue Divers, boosting the number of trained divers in the community for critical fisheries and marine research.

Atlantic Guardians involved Tristanians from all walks of life, with activities that brought the MPZ to life and celebrated the rich marine heritage of islanders and our deep connection to our seas.

A few highlights:

✔  Construction of a traditional longboat and ox cart, with older generations leading the way, sharing skills with the younger workforce and showcasing the skills to the Tristan schoolchildren.

✔  Marine-themed activities at the school and a South Atlantic Schools Network, with Tristan’s pupils joining in shared activities with other South Atlantic territories, to learn about and celebrate the marine environment.

✔  Beach cleans and sea watch sessions, for hands-on conservation and citizen science by the community.

✔  Capturing oral histories, to preserve and share islanders’ experiences and connection with their ocean.

✔  Interpretation boards for the community and tourists, highlighting the species and habitats that make Tristan’s waters so special, including a board showcasing the favourite species of the schoolchildren, featuring their own artwork.

✔  Developing architectural plans for refurbishing the swimming pool, which the community can take forward beyond the project. A new pool is integral to ongoing scuba training for Tristanians (the world’s most remote dive school!), as well as offering health and wellbeing benefits for the whole community.

✔  Providing a rare opportunity for Tristanians to visit Gough Island. Although Gough is part of the Tristan archipelago, few islanders have had the chance to visit this World Heritage Site, as it’s 24 hours away from Tristan by boat. Atlantic Guardians made it possible to charter a vessel and give members of the community the chance to experience this unique island first hand and appreciate why it’s so crucial to protect it.

Through Atlantic Guardians, we built the profile of Tristan’s Marine Protection Zone and celebrated the achievements of the community globally.

A few highlights:

✔  Hosting an MPZ celebration at UK Parliament

✔  The MPZ Officer attending and presenting at global conferences including the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) and the Seventh International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC7)

✔  Achieving a Gold Blue Parks Award for Tristan’s outstanding commitment to marine conservation