Tristan da Cunha Conservation Project

In the South Atlantic between South Africa and South America, Tristan da Cunha is a UK Overseas Territory — and the most remote inhabited island in the world. In 2020, the small, 250-strong community that makes up the island’s population committed to fully protecting an immense 687,000 sq. km of their territorial waters from fishing and all extractive activities. That’s an area nearly three times the size of the UK, and is the largest zone of marine protection in the Atlantic Ocean.  

This exceptional commitment from the islanders will protect some of the world’s most important breeding sites for seabirds, including the endemic Tristan Albatross, a critically endangered species. It will also safeguard penguin colonies, as well as populations of seals, bluefin tuna and blue sharks.  

Blue Marine is delighted to work with the Becht Family Charitable Trust to provide key long-term support for the community of Tristan da Cunha. This innovative approach, led by RSPB and National Geographic Society, will support an extremely remote community that does not have the opportunity to create the revenue streams that would usually be derived from hosting a marine protected area, such as tourism.  

All Tristan da Cunha photos by National Geographic Pristine Seas