What’s on the Menu? Plastic Pollution Found in Ascension Island’s Seabird Population 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Blue Belt Programme, Nature, Science
Frigatebird with fishing lure and line in its beak.

Co-authored by Alex McGoran and Laura Shearer. What is the typical diet of most seabirds? You’d expect a smorgasbord of marine life such as fish, squid and krill. Unfortunately, plastic debris is becoming an increasingly common component of seabird diets …

The importance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) for nature and people

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Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) across the world provide sanctuaries for a fantastic array of marine life and protect some of the world’s most fragile habitats. However, they also provide essential resources that sustain the communities that call these environments home. …

Strengthening Marine Enforcement: A Learning Exchange between St. Helena and Turks and Caicos

Authors: Corrine Aldred The Blue Belt Programme is unique in facilitating learning exchanges between UK Overseas Territories. In October 2024, marine enforcement officers from St Helena had the opportunity to shadow the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resource Management (DFMRM) …

Marine spatial planning in Anguilla: maximising the benefits of the ocean for people, biodiversity and economic development. 

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By Emily Hardman, Blue Belt Programme Anguilla Lead, Marine Management Organisation and Melissa Meade, Principal Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Sustainability, Innovation and the Environment, Government of Anguilla. In February 2023, Anguilla joined the Blue Belt Programme as the second UK …

Conversations with the UK Overseas Territories at the Blue Belt Symposium

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Elizabeth Clingham speaking at the Blue Belt symposium

In February 2024, the Blue Belt brought together representatives from each of the UK Overseas Territories for a landmark symposium in London. Over three busy days, presentations, workshops and exhibitions reflected on the Blue Belt Programme and work of the …

New seamounts and new experiences; my time on a marine science expedition

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Blue Belt Programme, Science, UK Overseas Territories
Young Seamount

On the 26 November 2022, the Royal Research Ship (RRS) Discovery arrived in James Bay, St Helena. The vessel had journeyed over 4000 miles from the UK, bringing an excellent team of scientists and technical crew specialised in deep-sea and …

From data to decision-making: How a network of underwater cameras is helping to improve marine protection in the remote UK Overseas Territories.

Imagine being able to see life in some of the most unexplored oceans on earth?  This is the reality for scientists and partners who are part of the Global Ocean Wildlife Analysis Network (GOWAN), a global network of underwater cameras …

From data to decision-making: How a network of underwater cameras is helping to improve marine protection in the remote UK Overseas Territories

Imagine being able to see life in some of the most unexplored oceans on earth?  This is the reality for scientists and partners who are part of the Global Ocean Wildlife Analysis Network (GOWAN), a global network of underwater cameras …