Edge of the World: Stunning Pitcairn Islands Revealed
March 18, 2015 - In 2012 National Geographic's Pristine Seas project went on an expedition to the Pitcairn Islands—a legendary and remote archipelago in the middle of the Pacific Ocean—and returned with footage of incredible natural wonders underwater and on land. The expedition led to the historic announcement that the British government has created the largest contiguous marine reserve in the world, protecting this one-of-a-kind ecosystem. Join National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Enric Sala as he meets with some of Pitcairn's residents and explores the waters around the islands.
Read more about National Geographic's Pristine Seas project.For more about the British government announcement, click here:
"World’s Largest Single Marine Reserve Created in Pacific"
Transcript
Enric Sala:
Sharks are the single most important indicator for the health of a coral reef.
Having sharks on the reef is like having lions on the plains in Africa.
Voiceover: In 2012, National Geographic’s Pristine
Seas, in cooperation with the Pew Charitable Trusts, conducted a scientific
expedition to the Pitcairn Islands. The four islands of Pitcairn, Ducie, Oeno,
and Henderson provided some of the most beautiful reefs and ocean life we had
ever encountered.
Enric Sala: As far as we could see, there were
these pale blue corals, like giant roses. The sharks were very curious, and
they came to check us out very closely. This place is wild!
Alan Friedlander: You swim out to the edge of the
reef and it looked unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
Enric Sala: This place has to be protected. There
is no other option.
Voiceover: The island population of around 50
people includes descendants of Fletcher Christian, the sailor immortalized in
“Mutiny on the Bounty.”
Mike Fay: You can imagine when the mutineers
arrived on this uninhabited island, they’re planning on living here forever. And
you think “wow, that’s crazy that the Christians are still here!”
Voiceover: We presented footage of Luis Marden’s
1957 Pitcairn expedition to the community …
Pitcairn Resident: It was so exciting to see that footage
… to see all the people
Voiceover: … and shared our expedition results
with the islanders, along with the possibility of creating a marine reserve
around the Pitcairn Islands.
Enric Sala:
We’re talking about global recognition for a unique marine environment.
Pitcairn Resident: Maybe having a marine reserve is one
way we can create a future.
Mike Fay: The closer people are to the land, the
more conservation makes sense to them.
Enric Sala:
The Pitcairn islands harbor some of the last healthy environments left in the
ocean. A marine reserve could completely change the Pitcairn Archipelago.
Voiceover: Our hopes for Pitcairn’s future have now become a reality. The British
Government has signed legislation to create the largest contiguous marine
reserve in the world. It’s a testament to the spirit of conservation, one we
hope will serve as an inspiration for the entire world.
