BIOT (Chagos) - Bio Security

There is an increased emphasis on the environmental value of this British Indian Ocean Territory, which 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 and the outer islands and atolls are colonised 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.

The BIOT Administration has identified 11 conservation and environmental priorities to ensure the protection of this unique environment for the future.

Visits to the islands are tightly controlled and certain restrictions put in place; some of the islands have been designated as Strict Nature Reserves and it is illegal to enter them. If you are granted permission to visit, you must moor your vessel at BIOT approved sites only, to help conserve BIOT’s fragile coral environment.

See BIOT/How to Apply for a Mooring Permit for information on Restrictions, Nature Reserves and Permitted Areas.

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COVID-19 Yachting Protocols History:

• BIOT re-opened to visiting yachts 1 February 2021.
• Normal permit rules apply.
• See Clearance for full details.
• Only three vessels are permitted to be in the Territory at any one time. Permits are issued on a first-come-first-served basis from the point at which your application has been approved and payment has been received.
• You will need to provide both a primary destination and a secondary destination, to be used in the event that COVID restrictions limit access to your preferred port of call.
• Whilst you are in BIOT you must obey the following protocols to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus:
  - You must not board a vessel other than your own, either at anchor or at sea;
  - You must not transfer equipment or supplies between vessels except in case of serious mechanical failure or medical necessity;
  - You must maintain a distance of six feet (two metres) from members of other crews whilst in anchorages.

History:

• From mid-March 2020 new permits were no longer issued. Issued permits remained valid and these vessels were allowed to moor as planned.
• On 30 November, 2020, permit applications re-opened for vessels wanting to enter BIOT from 1 February, 2021.