Part 3: From Ambition to Action: Protecting the UK’s Blue Belt

In the final blog of the series, we explore how UK Overseas Territories’ ambitions for marine protection are translating into action on the ground. Using South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands as a case study, we examine how effective Marine Protected Area (MPA) management is helping to safeguard some of the world’s most ecologically …

Part 2: Beyond boundaries —How Ocean Protection Really Works

This three-part series explores what marine protected area management across the UKOTs looks like in practice. In part 2, we delve a bit deeper into the marine protected area management cycle, starting from MPA design and management to long-term monitoring and adaptation.

Beyond the Reef: Exploring the Underwater Offshore Banks of the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands are renowned for their clear waters and vibrant near shore coral reefs, yet far offshore lie little‑explored underwater banks and deep sea habitats. Over 12 days onboard the RRS James Cook, eight scientists from the Cayman Islands …

Beyond the Reef Caribbean Expedition: Spotlight on The Cayman Islands - Part 2

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: 10 years, Cayman Islands, Climate, Nature, People, Uncategorized

In Part 2 of this Q&A, we dive beneath the surface with Kelly Forsythe, Blue Belt Programme Officer for the Cayman islands’ Department of Environment, to learn more about the crew, and how the data generated will be used to support marine management in the future.

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.

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 …

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

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Blue Belt Programme

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 …

Ensuring effective marine protection in the Turks and Caicos Islands

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Protected Area Management Effectiveness

The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are a tropical Atlantic archipelago located 575 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, and 75 miles north of the Dominican Republic. There are approximately 100 named islands and cays, 9 of which are populated. TCI …