Hooked on Marine Conservation? Explore The UK's Blue Belt Programme
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Promoting the UK overseas, defending our security, projecting our values, reducing poverty & tackling global challenges.
Our objectives are clear:??
In the vast expanse of our oceans lies a world of wonder and beauty, teeming with life and vitality. However, the ocean is facing a multidimensional crisis including illegal fishing, plastic pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.??
The UK Overseas Territories are home to over 90% of the UK’s biodiversity and make up over 1% of the ocean globally, making their conservation efforts crucial for the preservation of global marine life.??
The need for action has never been more urgent.?
Recognising this, the UK government initiated the Blue Belt Programme in 2016, aiming to support UK Overseas Territory Governments (OTs) in their marine conservation efforts. These Territories, spread across every major ocean basin, harbour rich and diverse marine ecosystems.??
Protect 30% by 2030:?
The UK is working with global partners to secure the protection of 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030, which was agreed at COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity.??
The Blue Belt Programme and the UK Overseas Territories are a great example of how we collectively can reach this goal.?
Together, we have already helped protect over 4.4 million square kilometres of marine environment. Fun Fact: an area bigger than India.??
How??
The Blue Belt supports the UK Overseas Territories:?
These are just a few ways we’re making waves.
Why??
Healthy oceans are vital for sustaining life on earth.?
Our key goal is the protection and management of 4.4 million square kilometres of ocean.??
This in turn provides refuge for endemic and migratory species, allows habitats to restore, the recovery of key species, mitigates against illegal fishing and provides resilience to climate change impact.?
But… What can I do???
TRACK & LOG creatures in waters around UK Overseas Territories, using ZSL’s Instant Wild Platform!?
Do this if:?
The data you tag on your personal devices will help?Overseas Territories?governments to understand more about these vital ecosystems.?
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You’ll be happy to know that the UK Overseas Territories harbour some of the WORLD’S BEST ICONS: Species:?
International Legal Counsel
10 个月Great programme, the BOTCs are guardians of the ocean life. Still some countries need to improve sanitation and wastewater treatment, big hotels need to ensure compliance with international discharge standars
Training Consultant
10 个月A certain irony given England's coastal regions and rivers are polluted with sewerage from poor water company practice.