Choiseul Island Santa Isabel Island as the Ortega channel after the commander of the expedition. Choiseul islanders suffered attacks from blackbirding in the nineteenth century (the often brutal recruitment or kidnapping of labourers for the sugar plantations in Queensland and Fiji). In April 1885 a German Protectorate was declared over the North Solomon Islands, including Choiseul. In 1900, under the terms of Treaty of Berlin (14 November 1899), Germany transferred the North Solomon Islands (except for Bougainville and its surrounding islands) to the British Solomon Islands Protectorate in exchange for the British giving up all claims to Samoa. Missionaries settled on Choiseul
Choiseul Province Taro Island. The largest reptile is the saltwater crocodile ("Crocodylus porosus") known from Australia. Known birds are the Sanford's fish eagle ("Haliaeetus sanfordi"), the Pacific black duck ("Anas superciliosa"), and the eastern reef egret ("Egretta sacra"). Until the beginning of the 20th century, it was the only habitat of the now extinct Choiseul crested pigeon ("Microgoura meeki"). Choiseul is also an important breeding place for the loggerhead sea turtle ("Caretta caretta"). The flora is represented by mangroves and coconuts. Commercial logging continues to operate in Choiseul throughout the entire province. Nickel Mining is planned to commence in 2016 in Katupika