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Blue Belt Programme

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 …

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

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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 …

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands: Marine Protected Area 5-Year Review Science Symposium

The sub-Antarctic South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) are a UK Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, approximately 1,400 km northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula. They are home to a globally important, diverse and distinct marine ecosystem, with …

Blue Belt Overseas Territories showcase work at IMPAC5

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In February 2023 I joined representatives from across the UK Government’s Blue Belt Programme who travelled to Vancouver, Canada, to participate in the 5th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5). The tone for the week was set by an opening …

Voyage of Discovery: 9,000-mile expedition to Ascension Island and St Helena finally sets sail

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RRS Discovery

The RRS Discovery is embarking on an extensive marine survey of the South Atlantic, journeying to the British Overseas Territories of Ascension Island and St Helena. Follow the journey of the Discovery and find out more about its mission with this introductory blog.