The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), comprising the remote Chagos Archipelago, is known for its rich and diverse marine ecosystem, but its fishing industry is highly regulated and limited. Historically, the waters were fished by local islanders and later by commercial vessels, primarily for tuna, including yellowfin and skipjack, which remain the top species caught in the area. In the late 20th century, industrial tuna fishing became prominent, with licenses granted to foreign fleets, especially from Taiwan and the EU. However, since 2010, most commercial fishing has been banned due to the establishment of the Chagos Marine Protected Area, one of the world’s largest marine reserves, aimed at preserving biodiversity. Today, legal fishing is almost nonexistent, with only limited research and recreational fishing permitted, marking a significant shift from its earlier, more active fishing history.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.