Scientific research recognises Chagos/BIOT as a globally significant, uncontaminated reference site and one of the few tropical locations where global climate change effects can be separated from those of pollution and exploitation. Research in Chagos/BIOT is already providing vital information for monitoring and managing coral reefs elsewhere, in particular the design of interventions to restore reefs to a healthier condition (Sheppard et al., 2008). Considering

the paucity of empirical information on the effects of MPAs on pelagic species, there is a clear need for further work and a research agenda is under development. Delivery of this research programme will improve management and conservation Bcl-2 activation actions for pelagic species both within the Chagos/BIOT MPA and in the wider context of global marine conservation planning. The implementation TSA HDAC order of a no-take marine reserve in Chagos/BIOT has therefore provided a highly unique scientific reference site of global importance for studies on both pelagic and benthic marine ecosystems and the effects of climate change upon them. We would like to thank the many people who

provided comments and contributions to the consultation report from which we developed this paper, including Stephen Akester, MacAlister Elliott and Partners Ltd (UK); Dr Charles Anderson, IOTC Working Party on Ecosystems and Bycatch (Maldives); Dr Natalie Ban, James Cook University (Australia); Andrés Domingo Balestra, IUCN Shark Specialist Group Co-chair (Uruguay); Dr Joao Correia; Flying Sharks (Portugal); Dr Nick Dulvy, Simon Fraser University & IUCN Shark Specialist Group Co-chair (Canada); Alistair Gammell, Pew Environment Group (UK); Dr Nicholas Graham, James Cook University (Australia); Ali Hood, Shark Trust (UK); Simon Hughes, Ergoloid Chagos Conservation Trust (UK); Dr. Heike Lotze, Dalhousie University (Canada); Rachel Jones, Zoological

Society of London (UK); William Marsden, Chagos Conservation Trust (UK); Professor Peter Mumby, University of Queensland (Australia); Jay Nelson, Pew Environment Group (USA); Felipe Pereira (Portugal); Professor Callum Roberts, University of York (UK); Dr Alex Rogers, ZSL (UK); Dr Paul Shaw, Royal Holloway University of London (UK); Professor Charles Sheppard, Warwick University (UK); Rebecca Short, ZSL (UK); Dr Mark Spalding, The Nature Conservancy (UK); Dr. Derek Tittensor, Dalhousie University (Canada); Phil Williamson, University of East Anglia (UK); Dr Boris Worm, Dalhousie University (Canada) and all members of the Chagos Environment Network and IUCN Shark Specialist Group. Many thanks to Chris Mees, John Pearce, Robert Arthur and Graeme Parkes at MRAG for providing relevant reports and data. Thanks to Dr Nick Dulvy, Catherine Head and Rachel Jones for commenting on drafts of this manuscript.