UK Overseas Territories

The JNCC and Blue Belt: Strengthening UK marine conservation through scientific partnership

After years of collaboration, the Blue Belt Programme is delighted to welcome the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) as an Associate Partner. The partnership brings together world-leading expertise in marine conservation and natural resource management.

Strengthening climate resilience across the UK Overseas Territories

With oceans and biodiversity high on the agenda at COP30 in Belém this week, the vital role that marine ecosystems play in both tackling and adapting to climate change — especially for smaller islands and territories — is gaining increasing attention. A key part of the Blue Belt Programme's work is partnering with the UK …

Venturing Beyond the Reef: The Blue Belt Programme’s First Caribbean Expedition

In January 2026, the Blue Belt Programme will set sail from the Dominican Republic to the Territories of Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and the Cayman Islands. This is the first expedition to the Caribbean in the 10-year history of the …

10 years of Protecting the World’s Ocean: Reflections from Blue Belt Programme Leads

Since its initiation in 2016, the UK Government’s Blue Belt Programme has been at the forefront of global marine protection, working closely with the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) to establish and manage one of the largest networks of marine protected …

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) …

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

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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 …

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 …