A
pin prick in the middle of the Atlantic, Ascension Island is a UK
overseas territory and a haven for some of the world's biggest fish.
It recently banned
commercial line fishing in half the island's waters - the first
manifestation of a UK government commitment to create so-called "blue
belts" around the overseas territories, described by two Conservative
MPs as "the biggest conservation commitment by any government ever".
The area of ocean protected is nearly the size of the United Kingdom and will be the largest marine reserve in the Atlantic.
Its record-size marlin, tuna and dorado make Ascension a must-visit spot for recreational fishing, diving and spear fishing.
With no indigenous commercial fishing industry of its own, fishing tourism is an essential income stream for the island.
Spear-fishing expert Colin Chester explains the appeal. Underwater footage and stills courtesy of Colin Chester/Ascension Island Fishing & Spearfishing Charters Video Journalist: Marcus Thompson
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