Expeditions
Mapping the vegetation of Diego Garcia Island, British Indian Ocean Territory.
- Field of study
- Plants
- Funder(s)
- Chagos Conservation Trust
- Start
- 11/2018
- End
- /11/2018
- Description
- The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) Programme and the Spatial Analysis Teams of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew) expedition to the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) island of Diego Garcia (DG). The expedition took place from the 12th to the 28th November 2018. The visit was undertaken to enable ground truthing of the main and associated islands in order to validate, augment and give metrics for the vegetation map of these areas. The main objectives of the expedition were: - collect ground truth data on the terrestrial vegetation for Diego Garcia; - capture 360° imagery of the island as a baseline reference dataset for areas of special interest; - perform UAV flights (fixed wing) to capture as much of the island as possible; - collect data and plant material to increase our knowledge of native and invasive plant species, assemblages, abundance, habitats and overall distribution; - collect seeds and spores for RBG Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank for long‐term conservation and potentially for the island nursery to aid habitat restoration; - engage with BIOT scientific staff and military base volunteers on plant conservation activities. The expedition was undertaken with the consent of the British Indian Ocean Territory Administration, which provided the team with a research permit. The Kew field team consisted of Ms Sara Barrios and Mr Tim Wilkinson.
- Expedition leader
- Sara Barrios
- Expedition leader email
- S.Barrios@kew.org
- Members
-
- Publications
- Sites
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Seabird Ecology On Diego Garcia June/July 2018 Expedition
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 6/2018
- End
- /7/2018
- Description
- The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Exeter University, supported by the Bertarelli Foundation, visited Diego Garcia (DG) in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), during June and July 2018, to continue research to assess the importance of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) for seabirds. Using Red-footed Booby (RFB) as the indicator species, the research consisted of three objectives that built on fieldwork conducted on DG in 2016 and January 2018. The three objectives were: Objective 1: To document the year-round biology and foraging ecology of breeding RFBs at Barton Point Nature Reserve. Objective 2: To document the distribution of non-breeding RFBs from the colony on DG. Objective 3: To establish the status and distribution of breeding RFB on DG.
- Expedition leader
- Peter Carr
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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Developing New Technologies to Monitor Ecosystem Health – Indigo V Expeditions
- Start
- 4/2018
- End
- /4/2018
- Description
- The marine microbiome underpins the very foundation of ocean health. Despite this critically important role, we know very little about the microbiome except that it is very sensitive to climate change, particularly ocean acidification and rising temperatures. In 2018, Indigo V returned to further track the recovery of the reef, to field trial the latest version of our auto-sampling equipment, and collect water samples to look for virus diversity. There were some signs of recovery of the reef itself, but the water column was still very murky, which blocks vital sunlight from the corals.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
- Sites
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BIOT Array Servicing & Reef Shark Tracking Expedition
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 3/2018
- End
- /3/2018
- Description
- As a component of the Bertarelli Program in Marine Science (BPMS), researchers from Stanford University, the University of Western Australia and the Zoological Society of London have established one of the key monitoring platforms for assessing how some of the largest predatory fish in BIOT are responding to their changing environment and threats posed by illegal fishing activity. Using acoustic and satellite tracking technologies the team can observe the movements, distribution, residency and connectivity of mobile marine predators both close to the reef and during excursions into deeper pelagic waters.
- Expedition leader
- David Jacoby
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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Bertarelli Programme in Marine Science Reef 1 Expedition 2018
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 3/2018
- End
- /3/2018
- Description
- The Bertarelli Programme in Marine Science Reef 1 Expedition 2018 aimed to undertake a survey of reef condition and especially reef recovery across the archipelago following the 2015-2016 warming events which had caused severe bleaching and mortality. In addition, instruments were deployed to build a more detailed picture of changes in environmental parameters affecting the reefs over time.
- Expedition leader
- Professor John Turner
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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Sea Turtle Conservation Research
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 9/2017
- End
- /10/2017
- Description
- This scientific expedition to Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) from 20 September to 13 October 2017 builds on previous conservation research on the ecology of hawksbill and green turtles in the archipelago. The primary objective was to increase understanding of green turtle movements within and outside of BIOT.
- Expedition leader
- Nicole Esteban
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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Bertarelli Foundation Seabird Ecology Diego Garcia III
- Field of study
- Birds
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 1/2018
- End
- /1/2018
- Description
- On-going work, started in 2016, surveying the Red-footed Booby population and breeding popoulations in Key Biodiversity Area on Diego Garcia.
- Expedition leader
- Pete Carr
- Expedition leader email
- petecarr1@hotmail.com
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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Bertarelli Foundation: Shark tracking Expedition
- Field of study
- Sharks
- Vessel(s)
- Grampian Frontier
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 5/2017
- End
- /5/2017
- Description
- For the project, which was funded by the Bertarelli Programme in Marine Science, receivers that have been monitoring shark movements in the deep channels between islands were recovered from depths of more than 500m. These will provide a wealth of new data on ecological connectivity within the reserve.
- Expedition leader
- David Jacoby
- Expedition leader email
- david.jacoby@ioz.ac.uk
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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Bertarelli Foundation Emergency Expedition
- Field of study
- Coral bleaching
- Vessel(s)
- Grampian Frontier
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 4/2017
- End
- /4/2017
- Description
- This expedition included three compnents a coral reef assessment, test hydrophone equipment for use in enforcement against IUU fishing in the Northern atolls and assesment of the CCT Ile Vache Marine rat eradication programme (detailed sperately). Post coral bleaching reef assesment included; i) extension of long term coral reef data sets, ii) integrating SST trends into coral reef resilience, iii) Measuring for future resilience via coral juvenilt abundance, iv) creating a video archive and, v) a 3D determination of reef structural complexity.
- Expedition leader
- Prof John Turner
- Expedition leader email
- j.turner@bangor.ac.uk
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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Ile Vache Marine Rat Eradication Project Result
- Field of study
- Rat eradication
- Vessel(s)
- Grampian Frontier
- Funder(s)
- Chagos Conservation Trust
- Start
- 4/2017
- End
- /4/2017
- Description
- Expedition to confirm i) the outcome of the Ile Vache Marine Darwin Plus funded rat eradication project of 2014, ii) testing for rat reinvasion on islands, iii) monitoring whether rats were present on Ile da la Passe, Salomon and Peros Banhos Islands. Expedition also looked at populations of Sulidae (red footed and brown booby) in IUCN designated and proposed Important Bird Areas of Peros Banhos.
- Expedition leader
- Pete Carr
- Expedition leader email
- petecarr1@hotmail.com
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
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Bertarelli Foundation Seabird Ecology Diego Garcia II
- Field of study
- Birds
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 11/2016
- End
- /12/2016
- Description
- Expedition to identify the feeding and foraging grounds of breeding Red-footed Booby during the NW monsoon period in BIOT; (ii) To gather more data on the breeding phenology of the RFB sub-colonies on DG atoll; (iii) To collect further morphometric data in order to develop a tool for in-situ sexing of RFB.
- Expedition leader
- Pete Carr
- Expedition leader email
- petecarr1@hotmail.com
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
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Indigo UNESCO Indian Ocean Expedition
- Vessel(s)
- Indigo V
- Funder(s)
- UNESCO
- Start
- 7/2016
- End
- /7/2016
- Description
- Objectives: 1. Environmental toxicology studies on harmful algal blooms. 2. Virology studies inside/outside atoll lagoons. 3. Collect plastic particles in the water. 4. Measure ocean pH for acidification studies. 5. Photo-quadrats of coral condition post-bleaching.
- Expedition leader
- Rachelle Jensen
- Expedition leader email
- rachelle@indigovexpeditions.org
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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Bertarelli Foundation Seabird Ecology Diego Garcia I
- Field of study
- Birds
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 6/2016
- End
- /7/2016
- Description
- Expedition to establish boat drills, field camp routines and emergency procedures associated with field-based research activities in BIOT that satisfy BIOTA requirements, and establish field-based techniques and protocols in order to study the breeding biology and movement ecology of Red-footed Booby on Diego Garcia.
- Expedition leader
- Pete Carr
- Expedition leader email
- petecarr1@hotmail.com
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
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Pangaea Chagos Initiative Expedition III
- Field of study
- Fish and reef
- Vessel(s)
- M/Y Pangaea
- Funder(s)
- University of Western Australia - TeachGreen
- Start
- 6/2016
- End
- /6/2016
- Description
- To document the status of reef fish assemblages within BIOT MPA, in particular the status and ecological function of reef sharks. Additional work to assess the intertidal ecology of reef flats of Diego Garcia using towed underwater sleds.
- Expedition leader
- Prof Jessica Meeuwig
- Expedition leader email
- jessica.meeuwig@uwa.edu.au
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
Bertarelli Foundation: Vava Expedition
- Vessel(s)
- Vava and Vava II
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 3/2016
- End
- /4/2016
- Description
- This expedition on board the Vava and Vava II from the 20/03 to the 1/04 2016, provided a unique occasion to support six scientists focusing on flagship species and habitats within the British Indian Ocean Territory or Chagos Archipelago. The primary purpose was to survey the mid-water fish.
- Expedition leader
- Tom LeTissier
- Expedition leader email
- tomletessier@gmail.com
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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Coconut Crab Expedition
- Field of study
- Coconut crabs
- Funder(s)
- Dartmouth University
- Start
- 2/2016
- End
- /3/2016
- Description
- Expedition to assess the behaviour ecology of coconut crabs on Diego Garcia.
- Expedition leader
- Mark Laidre
- Expedition leader email
- mark.laidre@dartmouth.edu
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
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Bertarelli Foundation Pelagic Expedition IIII
- Field of study
- Pelagic expedition
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 2/2016
- End
- /2/2016
- Description
- In February 2016, we conducted a pelagic expedition on board the BIOT patrol vessel the Pacific Marlin (BPV), designed to understand the physical and biological characteristics supporting the distribution, diversity, abundance, and potential recovery of pelagic predators in the BIOT marine reserve. Objectives: 1. To deploy mid-water stereo baited remote underwater video camera systems to study the ecology and behaviour of pelagic fish assemblages. 2. Collect information on fish and shark prey field distribution, enabling the interpretation of the observed patterns of fish and megafauna distribution and make conclusions on habitat suitability. 3. Measurements of conductivity, temperature, density (CTD) and turbulence to provide information critical to interpret observations resulting from objectives above. 4. Tagging of manta rays to track movements inside and outside the MPA. 5. Monitor the diversity, abundance, movements and distribution of seabirds.
- Expedition leader
- Tom LeTissier
- Expedition leader email
- tomletessier@gmail.com
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
Pangaea Chagos Initiative Expedition II
- Field of study
- Sharks
- Vessel(s)
- M/Y Pangaea
- Funder(s)
- University of Western Australia - TeachGreen
- Start
- 11/2015
- End
- /12/2015
- Description
- The second research expedition of the PCI programme was designed to build on the first research expedition (PCI Exped I), retaining the focus on the role that reef sharks play in regulating reef ecosystems and how they may impact the abundance, diet and condition of reef fishes. This expedition also requested permission from the UK Government to expand the research programme to include Diego Garcia. This request by the science team was made due to an apparent increase in illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the BIOT Marine Reserve.
- Expedition leader
- Professor Jessica Meuwig
- Expedition leader email
- jessica.meeuwig@uwa.edu.au
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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Turtle monitoring and tagging expedition
- Field of study
- Turtles
- Funder(s)
- Darwin Foundation
- Start
- 10/2012
- End
- /10/2012
- Description
- Monitoring nesting turtle populations and satellite tracking green turtles to monitor their migrations patterns inside the MPA and wider WIO area.
- Expedition leader
- Nicole Esteban
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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The John Murray Expedition
- Vessel(s)
- Mahabiss
- Start
- /1933
- End
- //1933
- Description
- The John Murray expedition conducted bathymetry surveys, investigating the previous connection of the islands to mainland Africa and India.
- Expedition leader
- Lieut Comm Farquharson
- Expedition leader email
- Members
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- Publications
- Sites
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Eclipse Expedition
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Vessel(s)
- HMS Eclipse
- Start
- /1881
- End
- //1881
- Description
- Under the command of Cpt Garforth the British Navy surveyed Diego Garcia for steam navigation. Following this in 1882 the Orient Steam Navigation Company set up a coaling station on Diego Garcia. This would serve the steam vessels trading between the UK and East (even Australia) via the Suez Canal.
- Expedition leader
- Cpt Garforth
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
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- Sites
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Diego Garcia Settlement Expedition
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Vessel(s)
- The Admiral Hughes and The Napier
- Funder(s)
- The East India Company
- Start
- /1786
- End
- //1786
- Description
- In March 1786 shortly after Archibald Blair’s expedition the East India Company set out to establish a settlement on Diego Garcia. The officers in Bombay received the following from London: “To the President and Council of Bombay, We direct that with all possible dispatch, you send two small vessels from Bombay to take possession of and settle the Island Chagos or Diego Gracia, situated in 7 [degrees] 16 [minutes] South, which was visited in the year 1774 by the Drake Ketch. We rely upon your discretion to chose proper persons to be sent in these Vessels to take an exact Survey of the Harbour and Island, and to give an Account of its produce and the best means of settling it, to make it a place for Refreshment of Ships, and also what might be necessary to make it tenable against Attack, which by the Plan, it appears might be done at a very small expence, some of the small vessels from the Bombay Marine should be employed with Diligent and Intelligent Officers to examine and ascertain the situation of numerous Banks and Islands in that part of the Sea, as an accurate knowledge of those hitherto much neglected Seas, is essential to the security and navigation of the Company’s ships…” The expedition, onboard The Napier and The Admiral Hughes, the crew included Capt Sartorius chief engineer and surveyor of the Bombay Engineers (of the military detachment). The expedition carried a set of “secret orders” in case of disagreements with other European countries wishing to settle on the islands. Capt Sartorius, Mr Smyth and Mr Price continued their settlement attempt until November 1786 when they were evacuated.
- Expedition leader
- Mr Price, Mr J Richmond Smyth
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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Blair Expedition
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Funder(s)
- East India Company
- Start
- /1786
- End
- //1786
- Description
- In 1786 Lieut Archibald Blair conducted an expedition to the Chagos on behalf of the East India Company. The purpose was to gather specific information about Diego Garcia where the company had an interest in establishing a settlement. Blaire collected useful information on the atoll including dangers and safe points of harbour. Some surveys were also made surveys of the flora of the isalnds.
- Expedition leader
- Lieut Archibald Blair
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
- Sites
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D’Apres de Mannevillette and Dalrymple
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Start
- /1777
- End
- //1777
- Description
- Alexander Dalrymple worked as a hydrographer for the East India Company from 1779 and later the first hydrographer to the British navy in 1795, his skills in cartography made him a valuable asset during the beginning of the Napoleonic wars. He had a strong interest in the islands east of India and trading possibilities between them. Even during the British and French wars Dalrymple had a productive professional correspondence with French hydrographer M. D’Apres de Mannevillette, sharing information about British and French voyages around the Chagos the pair were able to create the most accurate maps of the islands to date.
- Expedition leader
- Monsieur D'Apres de Mannevillette
- Expedition leader email
- Members
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- Publications
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- Sites
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Salomon Expedition
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Start
- /1776
- End
- //1776
- Description
- Made observations of new islands, Salomon Isalnds and Bourne Island. www.lecfc.fr/new/articles/175-article-2.pdf
- Expedition leader
- Pierre-Jacques Bourde de la Villehuette
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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The Drake Expedition
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Vessel(s)
- The Drake
- Start
- /1774
- End
- //1774
- Description
- The Drake was comissioned to map the Diegp Garcia lagoon, with surveyor Mr Dickinson. The English were exploring the possibility of settlement on the islands (partially due to the French interest in them). They left sheep, goats and pigs on Diego Garcia.
- Expedition leader
- Cpt Adam Sheriff
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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The Swift Expedition
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Vessel(s)
- The Swift
- Start
- /1772
- End
- //1772
- Description
- Cartography expedition to explore Diego Garcia lagoon and the Brothers
- Expedition leader
- Cpt Thomas Neal
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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The Eagle
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Vessel(s)
- The Eagle
- Funder(s)
- The Governor of Bombay
- Start
- /1772
- End
- //1772
- Description
- The Eagle, which had been part of a voyage the previous year continued this exploration and mapping of the archipelgo started in 1771. Unfortunetly the captain and hydrographer fell out during the voyage, resulting in a duell on return to Bombay in which the hydrographer was killed and all the maps created on the voyage were lost.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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The Eagle and Drake Expedition
- Vessel(s)
- The Eagle and the Drake
- Funder(s)
- The Governor of Bombay
- Start
- /1771
- End
- //1771
- Description
- Sent by the Governor of Bombay to explore the archipelago with two marine engineers W Robinson and D Thomas.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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Abbe Rochon Diego Garcia Expedition
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Funder(s)
- French Navy
- Start
- /1769
- End
- //1769
- Description
- This voyage included French astronomer Abbe Rochon who helped to fix the position of Diego Garcia.
- Expedition leader
- Abbe Rochon
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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La Vert Galant and L’heure Berger Expedtion with Abbe Rochon
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Vessel(s)
- Vert Galant and L'Heure Berger
- Funder(s)
- French Navy
- Start
- /1768
- End
- //1768
- Description
- The Vert Galant and L'Heure Berger visited Diego Garcia in 1768 (and possibly the following year) with Abbe de Rochon onboard who was astronomer to the French Navy. In 1769 Lieut La Fontaine reported “a great number of vessels might anchor there in safety; but the principal object is wanting: for though it is covered with woods, it is not provided with fresh water.” (although in fact the isalnds have very high rainfall). http://www.zianet.com/tedmorris/dg/realhistory-2.html
- Expedition leader
- Leut La Fontaine
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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Lazare Picault, The Elisabeth
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Vessel(s)
- The Elisabeth
- Funder(s)
- French Navy
- Start
- /1744
- End
- //1744
- Description
- Conducted one of first surveys of Peros Banhos with a hydrographer onboard.
- Expedition leader
- Lazare Picault
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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The Grantham
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Vessel(s)
- The Grantham
- Funder(s)
- British
- Start
- /1728
- End
- //1728
- Description
- Early British exploration.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
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The Stringer
- Field of study
- Exploration
- Vessel(s)
- The Stringer
- Funder(s)
- British
- Start
- /1712
- End
- //1712
- Description
- Early British exploration on route past the islands, following earlier Portugese exploration.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
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- Sites
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Ile Vache Marine Bird Habitat Restoration Reconnaissance Expedition
- Field of study
- Invasive species control
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Darwin Programme, British Indian Ocean Territory Administration (BIOTA) Administration
- Start
- 1/2014
- End
- 29/1/2014
- Description
- Examined the habitat of Ile Vache Marine to ground truth the planned rat eradication methodology for the August 2014 expedition as suitable to the vegetation and environment of the island. In addition a number of islands where examined as possible sites for future erradication projects. The include: Ile Vache Marine, Ile Yeye, Ile Manoel, Sea Cow Island, Eagle Island.
- Expedition leader
- Jonathan Schleyer
- Expedition leader email
- jonslayer@hotmail.co.uk
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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- Ile Vache Marine
- PB YEYE
- Ile Manoel
- Sea Cow Island
- Eagle Island - Ile Aigle
Bertarelli Foundation Pelagic Research Expedition III
- Field of study
- Shark tagging and research
- Vessel(s)
- M/Y Vava II
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 3/2015
- End
- /3/2015
- Description
- This expedition focussed on array servicing, shark tagging and research.
- Expedition leader
- David Tickler
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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Living Oceans Foundation Expedition
- Field of study
- Coral
- Vessel(s)
- M/Y Golden Shadow
- Funder(s)
- Khaled bin Sultan Living Ocean Foundation
- Start
- 3/2015
- End
- /5/2015
- Description
- Between 7 March 2015 and 3 May 2015, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation conducted two coral reef research missions as components of our Global Reef Expedition (GRE) program. Our primary objectives were to map and characterize the shallow marine habitats and assess the status of coral reefs and coral reef species within 12 locations in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).
- Expedition leader
- Philip Renaud
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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Diego Garcia Expedition
- Vessel(s)
- None-land based
- Start
- 3/2015
- End
- 15/3/2015
- Description
- A brief research program was undertaken on Diego Garcia between March 4th and March 16th, 2015. The expedition made use of two existing expeditions to Chagos in February and March 2015. Two distinct research programs were undertaken: the first focused on collecting photo-transect images, which will be used to assess coral trait diversity to give insight into which reefs may be particularly sensitivity to stress and the second focused on assessing the extent of coral disease in Diego Garcia. Both research programs build on the aims laid out by BIOTA in the Interim Conservation Management Framework in several ways, which we detail in this report. Once the collected data has been analyzed the published research will contribute to the continued monitoring and conservation of the Chagos MPA.
- Expedition leader
- Dr Elizabeth Widman
- Expedition leader email
- e.a.widman1@gmail.com
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
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- Diego Garcia
Pangaea Chagos Initiative Expedition I
- Field of study
- Shark ecology
- Vessel(s)
- M/Y Pangaea
- Funder(s)
- University of Western Australia - TeachGreen
- Start
- 2/2015
- End
- /3/2015
- Description
- The aim for the expedition was to understand the role that reef predators (sharks) play in structuring fish assemblages. To this end, baited cameras, acoustic telemetry and diet and genetic sampling were applied to understand how fish behave across varying levels of shark diversity, abundance and size. The expedition visited the Egmont Atoll, the Three Brothers Islands, Peros Banhos Atoll, and Salomon Atoll.
- Expedition leader
- Professor Jessica Meuwig
- Expedition leader email
- jessica.meeuwig@uwa.edu.au
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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Darwin Research Expedition
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Darwin Programme
- Start
- 3/2015
- End
- 11/3/2015
- Description
- This expedition (Darwin 2015) is the third of three designed to help deliver the objectives of a Darwin Initiative project to Strengthen the World’s Largest Marine Protected Area, Chagos Archipelago, funded by Defra (UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). The three year project aims to strengthen the Chagos Marine Protected Area by providing scientific knowledge for effective management, and develop a strategy that engages the support of potential stakeholders through outreach, education and engagement. The legacy will be sound management and increased value of what is currently the world’s largest no-take Marine Protected Area and a unique and globally important reference site.
- Expedition leader
- Dr John Turner
- Expedition leader email
- j.turner@bangor.ac.uk
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
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- Diego Garcia
- Salomon Islands
- Peros Banhos
- Egmont Islands
- Blenheim Reef
- Eagle Island - Ile Aigle
- Middle Brother - Ile du Milieu
- North Brother - Ile du Nord
- South Brother - Ile du Sud
- Danger Island
- Nelsons Island
- Resurgent Island
Catlin Seaview-Google Trekker Expedition
- Field of study
- Record Caitlin seaview and google trekker imagery and conduct surveys past diving depth.
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- XL Catlin, Google, Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Chagos Conservation Trust (CCT), British Indian Ocean Territory Administration (BIOTA) Administration, John Topp Botany Fund
- Start
- 2/2015
- End
- 26/2/2015
- Description
- Record Caitlin seaview and google trekker imagery and conduct surveys past diving depth.
- Expedition leader
- Jon Schleyer
- Expedition leader email
- jonslayer@hotmail.co.uk
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
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Bertarelli Foundation Pelagic Research Expedition II
- Field of study
- Shark ecology. BRUVs.
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- 1/2015
- End
- /1/2015
- Description
- Expedition aimed to characterise the habitat usage and assess the potential recovery of pelagic predators, particularly sharks, a team of scientists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Stanford University, University College London and University of Windsor travelled to the Chagos Archipelago to attach tags to these fish, as well as take samples for genetic and isotopic analysis. This was the first time an expedition was based from Diego Garcia. The expedition also included a small dcumentary making team.
- Expedition leader
- Tom LeTissier
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
Diego Garcia Turtle Monitoring
- Field of study
- Turtle monitoring, turtle nesting beach temperature and morphology
- Vessel(s)
- None-land based
- Funder(s)
- British Indian Ocean Territory Administration (BIOTA)
- Start
- 10/2014
- End
- /10/2014
- Description
- This expedition looked at - Turtle monitoring, turtle nesting beach temperature and morphology.
- Expedition leader
- Nicole Esteban
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Diego Garcia
Ile Vache Marine Bird Habitat Restoration Expedition
- Field of study
- Invasive species management
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- DEFRA-Darwin
- Start
- 8/2014
- End
- 17/8/2014
- Description
- Invasive species management. Created a grid-work of baiting stations for rats.
- Expedition leader
- Pete Carr
- Expedition leader email
- petecarr1@hotmail.com
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Ile Vache Marine
Darwin Research Expedition
- Field of study
- Coral cover, temperature loggers,
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Darwin Programme
- Start
- 3/2014
- End
- 15/4/2014
- Description
- This expedition formed part of the three year Darwin funded project which aimed to gather scieintific data to strengthen the marine protected area. This expedition concentrated on the following research initiatives: Video archive for long-term monitoring of coral reef benthic communities, Understanding coral reef structure, Assessment of coral cover, Coral species diversity and abundance, Assessing coral disease prevalence, severity and susceptibility, Scleractinian coral functional diversity surveys, Documenting sea temperature, Diversity and population abundance of reef fishes, Assessing the contribution of parrot fish in reef erosion, Long-term monitoring of sea cucumber populations, Population assessment of the Coconut Crab, Birgus latro, Long-term monitoring of Important Breeding Areas for seabirds.
- Expedition leader
- Dr Heather Koldeway
- Expedition leader email
- Heather.Koldewey@zsl.org
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
BIOTA Turtle Monitoring Expedition
- Field of study
- Turtle monitoring, turtle nesting beach temperature and morphology
- Funder(s)
- British Indian Ocean Territory Administration (BIOTA)
- Start
- 10/2013
- End
- /10/2013
- Description
- Turtle monitoring, turtle nesting beach temperature and morphology on Diego Garcia.
- Expedition leader
- Nicole Esteban
- Expedition leader email
- n.esteban@swansea.ac.uk
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Diego Garcia
Bertarelli Foundation Pelagic Research Expedition I
- Field of study
- Pelagic fish, satellite tagging, acoustic tagging
- Vessel(s)
- M/Y Vava 2
- Funder(s)
- Bertarelli Foundation
- Start
- /2013
- End
- //2013
- Description
- Two consecutive field trips to Chagos on Vava II focussed on pelagic fish, satellite tagging and acoustic tagging. The first expedition from 04/02/13-14/02/13 included tagging fish and sharks and installing the acoustic receiever array. The second trip from 11/02/13-23/03/13 foccued on array installation. This trip also included a small documentary crew.
- Expedition leader
- David Tickler
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
Darwin Research Expedition
- Field of study
- Coral cover, structure, juvenile corals, SST, video transects, cyptofauna, coral growth studies, macroalgae, sponges, black corals, reef fish biogeography, rugosity/erosion by parrotfish, ornithology,
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Darwin Programme
- Start
- 2/2013
- End
- /3/2013
- Description
- This expedition looked at - coral cover, structure, juvenile corals, SST, video transects, cyptofauna, coral growth studies, macroalgae, sponges, black corals, reef fish biogeography, rugosity/erosion by parrotfish, ornithology.
- Expedition leader
- Professor John Turner
- Expedition leader email
- J.turner@bangor.ac.uk
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
Pelagic Research Expedition
- Field of study
- Pelagic shark research, zooplankton acoustics, oceanography, pelegic ornithological surveys, large migratory predators, satellite tagging
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Start
- 11/2012
- End
- /11/2012
- Description
- Expedition leader
- Heather Koldeway
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Reef Monitoring and Research Expedition
- Field of study
- SST logger collection and maintainance, fish surveys, video transects, photo transects, coral cover, reef fish biomass, cryptic species, birds, juvenile corals,pelagic fish, Shark counts, fish behaviour, genetic analysis of CoTS, shoreline erosion
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- Foreign and Commonwealth Office
- Start
- 2/2012
- End
- 4/3/2012
- Description
- SST logger collection and maintainance, fish surveys, video transects, photo transects, coral cover, reef fish biomass, cryptic species, birds, juvenile corals,pelagic fish, shark counts, fish behaviour, genetic analysis of CoTS, shoreline erosion.
- Expedition leader
- Charles Sheppard
- Expedition leader email
- Charles.Sheppard@warwick.ac.uk
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
Pelagic Research Expedition
- Field of study
- Pelagic fish
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- Darwin Foundation, Bertarelli Foundation, University of Western Australia
- Start
- 11/2012
- End
- /12/2012
- Description
- Pelagic shark research, zooplankton acoustics, oceanography, pelagic ornithological surveys, large migratory predators, satellite tagging.
- Expedition leader
- Professor Jessica Meeuwig
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
Pew Filming Expedition
- Field of study
- Filming
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- Pew Environment Group
- Start
- 4/2010
- End
- 15/4/2010
- Description
- Filming terrestrial and underwater footage for the purpose of collecting images and film in preparation for the declaration of Chagos as the worlds largest MPA. Resulting is a video for the Chagos MPA
- Expedition leader
- Jonathan Schleyer
- Expedition leader email
- jonslayer@hotmail.co.uk
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
OTEP Expedition
- Field of study
- Coral ecology, SST, fish ecology, microatolls, sea level rise, birds, fish ecology, fish behaviour, geochemistry, holothurians, rapid assessment
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- Overseas Territories Environnment Programme plus numerous institutions
- Start
- 2/2010
- End
- 3/20/
- Description
- Coral ecology, SST, fish ecology, microatolls, sea level rise, birds, fish ecology, fish behaviour, geochemistry, holothurians, rapid assessment.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Lagoon and Fish Expedition
- Field of study
- Lagoon ecology, fish biogeography
- Start
- 2/2008
- End
- /3/2008
- Description
- Lagoon ecology, fish biogeography.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Eagle Island De-ratting Expedition
- Field of study
- Removal of rats for Eagle Island
- Vessel(s)
- Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- BIOT, FFI, DEFRA,
- Start
- 2/2006
- End
- /4/2006
- Description
- Expedition involved camping on the northern on Eagle Island for 3 months cutting paths through the vegetation to create a system of 20m2 so that they could hand-cast (throw) bait for rats. Unfortunately the de-ratting efforts proved unsuccessful.
- Expedition leader
- Guntram Meier
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
OTEP Expedition
- Field of study
- Coral ecology, SST, fish ecology, soft corals, turtles, invasive species, coral geology, coral biogeography, birds, holothurians, coral diseases, rapid assessment
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Funder(s)
- Overseas Territories Environnment Programme plus numerous institutions
- Start
- 2/2006
- End
- /3/2006
- Description
- Expedition took place for 2 weeks on the Marlin, 2 weeek on Diego Garcia, and finished with 2 weeks on the Marlin. General scientific expedition to collect data on shallow reefs.
- Expedition leader
- Charles Sheppard
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Pete Carr
- Nicholas Graham
- Alasdair Harris
- Jeanne Mortimer
- David Obura
- Morgan Pratchett
- Andrew Price
- Sam Purkis
- Bernhard Riegl
- Michael Schleyer
- Anne Sheppard
- Charles Sheppard
- B Bowen
- Colin Clubbe
- M Craig
- R Crawford
- R Gibbs
- Rachel Jones
- C Lundin
- Andrew McGowan
- M Pfeiffer
- S Smithers
- Jerker Tamelander
- S Woodroffe
- John Turner
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Salomon Islands
- Peros Banhos
- Diego Garcia
- Great Chagos Bank
- Egmont Islands
Coral and Fish Survey Expedition
- Field of study
- Coral cover, recruitment, bioerosion, fish community composition
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Start
- 3/2001
- End
- /4/2001
- Description
- Coral cover, recruitment, bioerosion, fish community composition.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Victory Bank
- Salomon Islands
- Peros Banhos
- Blenheim Reef
- Colvocoresses Reef
- Speakers Bank
- Eagle Island - Ile Aigle
Coral Bleaching Survey Expedition
- Field of study
- Snorkeling survey after 1998 bleaching
- Vessel(s)
- BPV Pacific Marlin
- Start
- 3/1999
- End
- /3/1999
- Description
- Charles Sheppard conducted snorkeling surveys to assess the damage after the 1998 bleaching.
- Expedition leader
- Charles Sheppard
- Expedition leader email
- Charles.Sheppard@warwick.ac.uk
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Victory Bank
- Salomon Islands
- Peros Banhos
- Blenheim Reef
- Colvocoresses Reef
- Speakers Bank
- Eagle Island - Ile Aigle
Friends of the Chagos Expedition
- Field of study
- Coral cover; Acropora ecology; Fish species list, shark counts, terrestrial fauna; Bird counts; Fungi collection for species list; Nudibranch species list and ecology.
- Vessel(s)
- M/Y Inga-Viola & MY Aztec Lady (2 x 18 m motor sailing vessels)
- Funder(s)
- Overseas Territories Environnment Programme
- Start
- 2/1996
- End
- 18/3/1996
- Description
- Coral cover; Acropora ecology; fish species list, shark counts, terrestrial fauna; bird counts; fungi collection for species list; Nudibranch species list and ecology.
- Expedition leader
- David Bellamy
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- The insects of the Chagos Archipelago - 1
- The coconut or robber crab Birgus latro in the Chagos Archipelago and its captive culture at London Zoo - 1
- A revised checklist of the epipelagic and shore fishes of the Chagos Archipelago, central Indian Ocean - 1
- Opisthobranch molluscs from the Chagos archipelago, central Indian Ocean - 1
- An annotated checklist of the Chagos Archipelago Terrestrial Fauna (omitting birds) recorded during the 1996 Friends of the Chagos expedition - 1
- Some fungi of Indian Ocean islands - 1
- Sea turtle populations and habitats in the Chagos Archipelago - 1
- Sex steroid concentrations in immature hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the Chagos Archipelago - 1
- Population genetic structure and developmental migrations of sea turtles in the Chagos Archipelago and adjacent regions inferred from mtDNA sequence variation. - 1
- Sites
-
- Ile Boddam
- Ile de Poule
- Ile du Sel
- I Anglaise
- Ile Takamaka
- Ile de la Passe
- Ile Jacobin
- Ile Sepulture
- Ile Diamant
- Petite Ile Mapou
- I Pierre
- I Parasole
- Ile du Coin
- Ile YeYe
- Nelsons Island
- Middle Brother - Ile du Milieu
- North Brother - Ile du Nord
- South Brother - Ile du Sud
- Ile Lubine
- Ile Sipaille
- Ile Tattamucca
- Danger Island
- Diego Garcia
- Moresby Island
Isle Botanica Expedition
- Vessel(s)
- NA
- Start
- 3/1995
- End
- 31/3/1995
- Description
- Botanical expedition by a team from Isle Botanica, to survey and catelog the vegetation of Diego Garcia.
- Expedition leader
- Dr Arthur Whistler
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Diego Garcia
Joint Services Chagos Research Expedition
- Field of study
- Coral ecology and behaviour, fish species list, shark counts, mollusc ecology, oceanography, Halimeda physiology and ecology, reef ecology, reptile ecology,
- Vessel(s)
- M/Y Paille-en-Queue
- Start
- 10/1978
- End
- /6/1979
- Description
- Coral ecology and behaviour, fish species list, shark counts, mollusc ecology, oceanography, Halimeda physiology and ecology, reef ecology, reptile ecology.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- The herpetology of the Chagos Archipelago - 1
- Coral cover, zonation and diversity on reef slopes of Chagos Atolls, and population structures of the major species - 1
- Nutrient concentrations and primary productivity at the Peros Banhos and Salomon Atolls in the Chagos-Archipelago - 1
- The Molluscan Fauna Of Chagos (Indian-Ocean) And An Analysis Of Its Broad Distribution Patterns - 1
- Seagrasses In The Chagos Archipelago - 1
- Diversity Of The Green Algal Genus Halimeda In The Chagos Archipelago, Central Indian-Ocean - 1
- Sites
-
- Middle Brother - Ile du Milieu
- North Brother - Ile du Nord
- South Brother - Ile du Sud
- Ile du Sel
- Salomon Islands
- Peros Banhos
- Diego Garcia
- Great Chagos Bank
- Blenheim Reef
- Colvocoresses Reef
- Speakers Bank
Joint Services Danger Island Expedition
- Field of study
- Terrestrial algae, Shark counts, coral ecology, insect species list, bird species list, island levelling, BBC film
- Vessel(s)
- M/Y Four Friends
- Start
- 1/1975
- End
- /3/1975
- Description
- Coral ecology and behaviour, fish species list, shark counts, mollusc ecology, oceanography, Halimeda physiology and ecology, reef ecology, reptile ecology.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Egmont Islands
- Eagle Island - Ile Aigle
- Middle Brother - Ile du Milieu
- North Brother - Ile du Nord
- South Brother - Ile du Sud
- Danger Island
Joint Services Egmont Expedition
- Field of study
- Birds, corals, surveying
- Start
- 12/1972
- End
- /2/1973
- Description
- Birds, corals, surveying. Wikipedia quote: "In 1972–73 there was an underwater expedition to the Egmont Islands by the Joint Services (JSEI). Led by Sqn Leader “Dickie” Bird RAF, it was the first expedition of its kind in the Chagos. Cdr Alan Baldwin RN was the Deputy Leader and the scientific work was carried out under the direction of Dr David Bellamy.[4] Its aim was to study coral reef formation and growth, as well as the islands' flora and fauna.[5] The expedition members were taken from Gan, Addu Atoll by RFA Gold Ranger to Egmont Atoll and after their survey was completed they were brought back to Gan by RFA Stromness. Following its success, a second expedition was undertaken to Danger Island the following year."
- Expedition leader
- David Bellamy
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Egmont Islands
Sheppard Bird and Insect Survey Expedition
- Field of study
- Birds, Insects
- Vessel(s)
- NA
- Funder(s)
- Natural History Museum
- Start
- 3/1971
- End
- 23/5/1971
- Description
- Birds and insect surveys. Extensive photographic record during commencement of construction work. Recommends conservation area for indigenous hardwood trees near Simpson Point.
- Expedition leader
- A M Hutson
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
Continental Oil Company Maldive Chain Cruise Expedition
- Field of study
- Geomorphology
- Start
- /1970
- End
- //1970
- Description
- Geomorphology
- Expedition leader
- R King
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Turtle Expedition Survey
- Field of study
- Turtles
- Start
- /1970
- End
- //1970
- Description
- Expedition to study the nesting hawksbill and green turtle populations. Beginning of a seven year study by Frazier of turtle populations in Indian Ocean and Chagos.
- Expedition leader
- J Frazier
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
Hydrographic Survey Expedition
- Field of study
- Hydrographic Survey, Geography and ecology, marine and terrestrial
- Vessel(s)
- H.M.S. Vidal
- Start
- /1967
- End
- //1967
- Description
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Geomorphology Survey Expedition
- Field of study
- Geomorphology
- Vessel(s)
- HMS Vidal
- Funder(s)
- Ministry of Defence Hydrographic Survey
- Start
- /1967
- End
- //1967
- Description
- Survey Of Diego Garcia Atoll conducted by the MOD with four accompanying scientists, with the purpose of making an ecological and geographical study of the atoll and make any necessary recommendations for the conservation of the atoll. Below is a quote from Dr Stoddart’s Scientific Studies at Diego Garcia Atoll. “The present investigation was carried out during June and July 1967 by four scientists attached to a British Ministry of Defence hydro- graphic survey carried out by H.M.S. Vidal . These were Dr. H. A. Fehlmann, Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Center, and Mr. C. F. Rhyne, Smithsonian Institution and now, the University of North Carolina, both nominated by the Smithsonian Institution; and Dr D. R. Stoddart, Cambridge University, and Dr J. D. Taylor, British Museum (Natural History), both nominated by The Royal Society. Stoddart and Taylor were on Diego Garcia from 1-29 July, Rhyne and Fehlmann from 10 June to 29 July. The purpose of the scientific party was to make a survey of the present status of the geography and ecology of the atoll and if necessary to make conservation recommendations. Responsibilities were divided as follows. Fehlmann made large collections of fish, which are being distributed by the Smithsonian Oceanographic Sorting Center; he also made smaller collections of other marine groups; of birds, particularly the Little Green Heron (Ripley 1969) and the Turtledove (Benson 1970); of reptiles; and of insects. Rhyne specialised on marine algae, and also collected land plants. Stoddart studied geomorphology and sedimentology, including lagoon floor sediments, and also collected land plants. Taylor concentrated on intertidal ecology and on the lagoon reefs, collecting corals, mollusca and crustacea; he also made some terrestrial collections, notably of land mollusca and of earthworms.”
- Expedition leader
- Capt C R K Roe
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Diego Garcia
Odling-Smee Bird Survey Expedition
- Field of study
- Birds
- Vessel(s)
- None-land based
- Start
- /1964
- End
- //1964
- Description
- Bird surveyed by Lt PG Odling-Smee on Diego Garcia while stationed there. Benson, C.W. 1970. The systematic status or thc form 01 Streptopelia picturata on Dicgo Garcia. Bull. Rr. Orn. - Club 90: 32-75.
- Expedition leader
- Lt PG Odling-Smee
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Vitiaz Beach fauna Survey Expedition
- Field of study
- Beach Fauna
- Vessel(s)
- Vitiaz
- Start
- /1961
- End
- //1961
- Description
- Involved a beach faunal survey on Diego Garcia Expedition
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Wiehe Plant Expedition
- Field of study
- Plants
- Start
- /1961
- End
- //1961
- Description
- Involved plant surveys on Diego Garcia, Egmont, Salomon, and Peros Banhos
- Expedition leader
- P Wiehe
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Loustau-Lalanne Expedition
- Field of study
- Birds
- Vessel(s)
- None-land based
- Funder(s)
- Secyhelles Department of Agriculture
- Start
- 11/1960
- End
- /12/1960
- Description
- Involved a bird survey on Diego Garcia
- Expedition leader
- P Loustau-Lalanne
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
Yale Seychelles Expedition (YSE)
- Field of study
- Abundance and diet of gastropods of the genus Conus
- Funder(s)
- National Science Foundation, State of Washington Initiative 171 Funds, Alfred C. Glasell, Jr
- Start
- 9/1957
- End
- /10/1957
- Description
- Involved a brief visit to Peros Banhos to survey the microhabitats, abundance and food of Conus resulting in the publication Kohn, AJ. 1968, Ecology:1046-1062.
- Expedition leader
- A Kohn
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Ile du Coin
Mauritius-Seychelles Fisheries Survey Expedition
- Field of study
- Fish
- Vessel(s)
- Research vessel M.F.R.V. No 1
- Start
- /1948
- End
- //1948
- Description
- JFG WHeeler and FD Ommanney conducted a fisheries survey around both the Seychelles and Chagos for commercially valuable bottom fishes, estimating amounts available for exploitation. The results of this survey are summarized in their 1953 publication.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
HMIS Clive Hydrographic Survey Expedition
- Field of study
- Hydrographic survey
- Vessel(s)
- H.M.I.S. Clive
- Start
- /1941
- End
- //1941
- Description
- Cdr JW Jefford IN and Cdr RR Caws IN conducted a hydrographic survey of Diego Garcia.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Wiehe Plant and Insect Expedition
- Field of study
- General. Plants, insects
- Funder(s)
- Mauritius Department of Agriculture
- Start
- 5/1939
- End
- /6/1939
- Description
- Sampled plants and insects on Diego Garcia, Egmont, Salomon, Peros Banhos.
- Expedition leader
- P Wiehe
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
Closel Mollusk Expedition
- Field of study
- Mollusca
- Start
- /1938
- End
- //1938
- Description
- Sampled molluscs in Diego Garcia
- Expedition leader
- J Closel
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Morin Plant Expedition
- Field of study
- Plants
- Start
- /1937
- End
- //1937
- Description
- J Morin sampled plants on Diego Garcia, Egmont, Salomon, Peros Banhos.
- Expedition leader
- J Morin
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Morin Mollusk and Crustacean Expedition
- Field of study
- Mollusca, Crustacea
- Start
- /1936
- End
- //1936
- Description
- J Morin sampled molluscs and crustaceans on an expedition to Diego Garcia.
- Expedition leader
- J Morin
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Percy Sladen Trust Expedition
- Field of study
- Geomorphology, marine fauna
- Vessel(s)
- H.M.S. Sealark
- Funder(s)
- Percy Sladen Trust
- Start
- 7/1905
- End
- 13/7/1905
- Description
- Geomorphology, marine fauna, birds
- Expedition leader
- Comm. B.T. Sommerville
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Diego Garcia
Deutsche Tiefsee-Expedition
- Field of study
- General, marine, fauna, birds
- Vessel(s)
- Valdivia
- Start
- 2/1899
- End
- /2/1899
- Description
- The Valdivia was a nine month German expedition to conduct deep sea research.
- Expedition leader
- Expedition leader email
- Members
-
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
- Diego Garcia
Wilson Expedition
- Field of study
- Lichens
- Start
- /1889
- End
- //1889
- Description
- Study of lichens.
- Expedition leader
- R Wilson
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Vereker Expedition
- Field of study
- Hydrographic survey
- Vessel(s)
- H.M.S. Rambler
- Funder(s)
- British Navy
- Start
- /1885
- End
- //1885
- Description
- Hydrographic survey conducted by the British Navy that gave the most detailed charts of Diego Garcia to date.
- Expedition leader
- Hon FCP Vereker
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Bourne Diego Garcia Expedition
- Field of study
- Birds, Geomorphology, Plants
- Start
- 9/1885
- End
- /1/1886
- Description
- Birds, Geomorphology, Plants.
- Expedition leader
- Mr G C Bourne
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
- Sites
-
- Diego Garcia
Finsch Diego Garcia Bird Survey Expedition
- Field of study
- Birds
- Start
- /1884
- End
- //1884
- Description
- Bird surveys.
- Expedition leader
- O Finsch
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Hume Expedition
- Field of study
- Plants
- Vessel(s)
- H.M.S. Moorhen
- Start
- /1883
- End
- //1883
- Description
- Expedition leader
- A Hume
- Expedition leader email
- Members
- Publications
-
- Sites
-
Moresby Expedition
- Field of study
- Hydrography and Bathymetry
- Vessel(s)
- British Thetis
- Funder(s)
- East India Company, Bombay Marines (Indian Navy)
- Start
- /1838
- End
- //1838
- Description
- This expedition was part of Robert Moresby's, hydrographer for the East India Company Bombay Marines, wider work across the Saudi Peninsula and Indian Ocean gathering nautical data often whilst escorting coal ships. Moresby's survey which updated the information collected by Leut Blair was published in 1837. Whilst in Chagos he conducted a "thorough scientific survey" and some of his observations were used by Charles Darwin in his book 'The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs' published in 1842. Whilst on Diego Garcia Moresby planted 30 breadfruit trees. Possible participants, usually crewed with Moresby were Mr Christopher, Mr Young, Mr Powell, Mr Campbell, Mr Jones, Mr Barker.
- Expedition leader
- Comm Robert Moresby
- Expedition leader email
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James Horsburgh Expedition
- Start
- /1809
- End
- //1809
- Description
- James Horsburgh was shipwrecked on the Chagos in 1786 whilst under the employment of the East India Company on the ship Atlas. Horsburgh later writes, 'The charts on board were very erroneous in the delineation of the Chagos Islands and Banks, and the commander, trusting too much to dead reckoning, was steering with confidence to make the non-existent Adu or Candu for a new departure, being their longitude nearby, by account, and bound for Ceylon; but, unfortunately a cloud over Diego Garcia prevented the helmsman from discerning it, (the officer of the watch being asleep), till we were on the reef close to the shore. The masts, rudder, and everything above the deck went with the first surge; the second lifted the vessel over the outer rocks and threw her in towards the beach". This experieince led him to create more accurate maps of the Indian Ocean and he became one of the formost hydrographers of the time. His specifically named "Directions for Sailing to and from the East Indies, China, New Holland, Cape of Good Hope, and the interjacent Ports, compiled chiefly from original Journals and Observations made during 21 years' experience in navigating those Seas" (also known as the 'India Directory') became the foremost work on oriental navigation in the first half of the 19th Century. His work included the first accurate maps of the trade routes used between Chagos, Maldives and Lakshapweep (then known as the Laccadives). "This Island is one of the wonderful phaenomena of this globe." JAMES HORSBURGH (1809, 131)
- Expedition leader
- James Horsburgh
- Expedition leader email
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- Diego Garcia
Abbe Rochon Expedition
- Funder(s)
- French Navy
- Start
- /1793
- End
- //1793
- Description
- Abbe Rochon, astronomer to the French Navy, returned to the Chagos islands to continue exploration and mapping, following his earlier voyages which helped to fix the location of Diego Garcia. Extract from Abbe Rochon, “I make it my province to dwell in this preliminary discourse on those objects only, which most excited my attention. Among the number of these I reckon, for instance, the harbour of Diego Garcia, and the prospect of the island itself is pleasant. We judged to have twelve leagues in circumference. Its form resembles a horse shoe. Its greatest breadth is not above a quarter of a league; the ground is however sufficiently elevated to serve as a fence and shelter to a vast reservoir of sand, which affords spacious room to the most numerous fleets. This level is four leagues long, and its main breadth is about one league. Its excellent harbour has two entrances to the north. The roads are extremely fine. Its situation I ascertain it to be in the 7 deg. 14 min. South Latitude, and in the 68 degree east longitude from the meridian of Paris.” (ABBE ROCHON (1793, 48-49)
- Expedition leader
- Abbe Rochon
- Expedition leader email
- Members
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- Publications
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- Sites
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- Diego Garcia