Businesses, organisations and individuals who have technologies that can address the challenges associated with surveillance, compliance and enforcement within protected marine areas in UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) are asked to sign up to the Interest Group to receive regular news and updates on the Blue Belt project.

https://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/bluebelt/

The Blue Belt Programme supports the delivery of the UK Government's commitment to enhance marine protection of over four million square kilometres of marine environment across UK Overseas Territories. The programme is a partnership between two world-leading agencies of the UK Government, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO).

The Blue Belt programme Annual Update for 2018/19, which sets out the achievements of the programme has recently been published and is available to download at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/819663/Blue_Belt_Annual_Update_2018_2019_WEB.pdf

The extension of the Blue Belt scheme follows a series of UK Government initiatives on ocean management, such as Maritime 2050, the Clean Maritime Plan and wider 25 year Environment Plan.

For more information please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/britannia-protects-the-waves-7m-extra-funding-to-protect-uk-marine-life