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News of Tristan's planning and implementation of the Blue Belt Programme. This is a UK strategy to protect the marine environment of its Overseas Territories, including the Tristan da Cunha group of islands, by establishing marine conservation zones. The UK Government has provided funding up to 2020 to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) to provide the expertise and advice the OTs might need to formulate and deliver the strategy.
Tristan's Atlantic Guardians Project Report
Five finger fish swimming in Tristan waters (Photo - Rob Mrowicki)
Atlantic GuardiansLinks: Website: atlanticguardians.org Facebook: facebook.com/AtlanticGuardians Instagram: instagram.com/atlanticguardians/ See also: |
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Atlantic Guardians explained by RSPB's Siobhan VyeWhat is Atlantic Guardians?Atlantic Guardians is a project that aims to support Tristan da Cunha with their Marine Protection Zone after its legal designation in 2021. The activities in the project were designed in partnership between the Tristan da Cunha Government, RSPB and Blue Nature Alliance, to ensure that Tristan has the support it needs to get the MPZ off to a strong and sustainable start. The name “Atlantic Guardians” was chosen to highlight the commitment of the Tristan community in their role as guardians of the Atlantic, through the protection of the ocean around their islands, and the amazing wildlife it supports. Atlantic Guardians will support a wide range of activities over the next two years, from supporting the fisheries and conservation departments with marine management work, through to helping the community share their work across the globe as an example to the world of how a small community can make a big positive impact to their marine environment.
Map of the Tristan da Cunha Marine Protection Zone The Atlantic Guardians project has four key strands: strengthening science & management; celebrating and increasing community engagement with the marine environment; building marine management knowledge and skills on Tristan, and raising the global profile of the MPZ and community of Tristan. Some examples of the project’s activities over the next few years include:
Sub-Antarctic fur seals swimming in the Tristan kelp forest (Photo - Rohan Holt) How does Atlantic Guardians interact with wider marine management work around Tristan?Atlantic Guardians forms one part of a wider picture of marine management work led by Tristan. Another part is ongoing work under the UK Government Blue Belt programme that is supporting the Government with research and monitoring in the MPZ. Furthermore, Tristan Government works with many other partners on specific projects that support the MPZ, such as the British Antarctic Survey, JNCC and many others.
Team:Project Steering Group (responsible for decision making and advice) James Glass, Trevor Glass, Administrator, Steph Martin, Andy Schofield, Siobhan Vye, Jéssica Escobar Porras, Janine Lavarello, Dale Richards. Core project delivery staff:TristanJéssica Escobar Porras: RSPB Marine Management Support Officer based on Tristan, whose primary role is to deliver on island activities and provide additional marine management capacity to Tristan Government across all relevant Fisheries and Conservation departments work (not exclusively Atlantic Guardians supported). Reports to the Administrator on island, and supports both departments as both have marine management / research responsibilities. Janine Lavarello: Tristan da Cunha Government Marine Protection Zone Officer – shadows and supports the MMSO to build knowledge and skills to lead MPZ work after the project finishes. Reports to the MMSO. United KingdomSiobhan Vye – RSPB Project Manager: oversight of project, coordinating & supporting delivery of all project activities, and leading delivery of some UK / overseas activities. Dale Richards: RSPB Communications Lead – supports project communications from the project. As the project continues, we hope that the whole of the community has the opportunity to get involved with activities. |
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Tristan represented at UN Ocean Conference
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Report and photosfrom
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| UN Ocean Conference, Lisbon, Portugal 27 June-1 July 2022 |
The second United Nations high-level Ocean conference was held in Lisbon, Portugal, during the last week of June. Trevor Glass, Head of the Conservation Department and I were honoured to be part of the UK delegation. (Unfortunately, Trevor became ill and was unable to attend) The Blue Belt program sponsored me as part of my role as the UKOT rep to the Blue Belt Steering Group. Many sessions were relevant to Tristan da Cunha's Marine Protection Zone and other UKOTs marine programs. One of the week's highlights was one session about Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing co-chaired by Lord Goldsmith. Lord Goldsmith talked about the Blue Belt program and, at the end of the session, specially named the Tristan Community as an example of the incredible work happening in the UKOTs as champions of the environment!
Stephanie Martin (Centre) is joined by
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Minister Rebecca Pow (right)
and Holly Mennel, also from DEFRA (left)
for this photograph where they are framed by one of the conference's posters.
In the evening I attended receptions with leaders from South Pacific Islands and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to discuss common ocean challenges, including climate change impacts.
I was honored to have lunch with Minister Rebecca Pow (then the appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and the UK Ambassador to Portugal, Chris Sainty. They both asked many questions about Tristan da Cunha and the community. It was a wonderful and a bit intense week, but I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to share all the important environmental work happening in Tristan! #smallislandBIGIMPACT
Stephanie with the UK Ambassador to Portugal, Chris Sainty.
James Glass gives key presentation at oceans event in London
Report from Tristan's UK Representative Chris Carnegy, with additional photos from Fiona Kilpatrick
World Ocean Day 2022 on the 8th June brought a London celebration of the 'Blue Belt' initiative that has protected 4.3 million km2 of the waters around UK overseas territories. Tristan da Cunha's Marine Protection Zone has contributed a vast 690,000 km2 to that achievement.
Jane Rumble, Head of the Polar Regions Dept., FCDO, and Chair of the Blue Belt Board, opens the event.
Chief Islander James Glass, in his dual role as Director of Fisheries, gave one of the main presentations to a VIP audience at the Royal Society's headquarters. He explored the potential impact of climate change on Tristan da Cunha - its wildlife, its economy and its people. He stressed the opportunity to make Tristan a base for maritime science, and the need for a vessel to add consistency to research and resilience to the island.
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| Above and below left: James Glass presenting | |
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| Above right: Lord Zac Goldsmith, Minister for the Pacific and the Environment | |
UK environment minister Lord Zac Goldsmith met James before the event, and in his own speech he underlined his well-known support for what Tristan da Cunha has achieved, commenting "to those who think this [tackling damage to the environment] is too ambitious, I say: look at Tristan".
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| James Glass with Lord Zac Goldsmith | Trevor Glass with Jonathan Hall, RSPB Head of Overseas Territories |
Tristan da Cunha's Head of Conservation Trevor Glass also attended the event as part of his own trip to the UK: he and James met with key partners including representatives of the RSPB and British Antarctic Survey.
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| James Glass with Adam Pile, Deputy Director of Overseas Territories at the FCDO. | James Glass with British Antarctic Survey Chief Executive, Dame Jane Francis. |
Stephanie Martin, Tristan's Environmental and Conservation Policy Officer, chaired one of the sessions.
Josephine Connolly, Minister with responsibility for the environment from the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The islands becoming the latest OT to join the 'Blue Belt' (and the first in the Caribbean) was announced at the event.
Stamp issue: The Blue Belt Programme |
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| Stamps commemorating the establishment of Tristan's Marine Protected Zone, the largest in the Atlantic, as part of the UK's Blue Belt Programme. 18-Nov-2021 |
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Community Braai to Celebrate the Tristan MPZ |
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| The Chief Islander with the help of the RSPB held a celebratory braai for the community to mark the establishment of Tristan's Marine Protected Zone (MPZ). 16-Oct-2021 |
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Tristan's Marine Protection Zone Announced |
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| Creation of the Atlantic Ocean's largest conservation area 12-Nov-2020 |
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Chief Islander reports on Tristan's Marine Protection Zone |
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| James Glass heralds 4 million square kilometre Blue Belt 11-Nov-2020 |
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World Ocean Day Tristan Blue Belt Update |
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| The Blue Belt Programme's annual report shows Tristan at forefront of marine conservation. 8-Jun-2020 |
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Tristan central to Parliament OT Environment Meeting |
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| Blue Belt and Gough Restoration plans discussed 5-Mar-2020 |
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Illegal Fishing focus at London Blue Belt Workshop |
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| Tristan represented as technology surveillance is explained 27-Feb-2020 |
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Page Updated: ATBA: Areas To Be Avoided in Tristan Waters |
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| Instructions to all shipping to avoid sailing near land 25-Jan-2020 |
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Tristan represented at inaugural DEFRA-OT meeting |
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| Overseas Territories briefed on environmental and Brexit matters 7-Aug-2019 |
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RRS Discovery's Tristan cruise ends |
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| Review of the March 2019 expedition's work towards Blue Belt plans 1-Apr-2019 |
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RRS Discovery departs for St Helena |
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| Blue Belt Expedition completes its Tristan Exclusive Economic Zone work 31-Mar-2019 |
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Natural History Museum event links with RRS Discovery |
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| March 2019 event showcases on-going Blue Belt research in a live video link. 30-Mar-2019 |
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RRS Discovery wildlife observations |
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| On the outward journey from the Falkland Islands to Tristan 15-Mar-2019 |
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RRS Discovery departs Falklands for Tristan |
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| Latest episode of Blue Belt research gets underway 14-Mar-2019 |
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Chief Islander in UK Blue Belt Meetings |
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| Ian Lavarello takes part in second week of consultations 14-Dec-2018 |
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Tristan Fisheries Department's excellent work celebrated |
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| RSPB report to coincide with World Wildlife Conservation Day 4-Dec-2018 |
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Planning a Tristan da Cunha Marine Protection Strategy |
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| Report of July 2018 London Meeting 27-Nov-2018 |
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Trip to Inaccessible and Nightingale Islands using new RIB |
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| Tristan Conservation Department trip to support field work teams. 8-Nov-2018 |
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Wave Dancer in UK for refurbishment |
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| Tristan's Fisheries Patrol boat arrives in UK for Blue Belt funded repairs 6-Oct-2018 |
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Tristan represented at No 10 Environment Meeting |
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| UKOTA meets Sir John Randall, the Prime Minister’s Special Adviser for the Environment on 24th May 2018 29-May-2018 |
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Blue Belt survey aboard RRS James Clark Ross |
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| March 2018 Blue Belt survey provides vital data for Tristan's marine protection zone plans 3-May-2018 |
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DEFRA Minister briefed on Tristan's Blue Belt Programme |
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| Reception held aboard HMS Belfast on 18th April 29-Apr-2018 |
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London Blue Belt event aboard the ship CEFAS Endeavour |
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| Tristan’s Blue Belt work showcased to Commonwealth leaders and promoted to UK schools 28-Apr-2018 |
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Report from Oliver Yates |
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| Senior Cefas Marine Science Advisor visits Tristan da Cunha Islands January-February 2018 17-Apr-2018 |
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Bluenose survey around Gough Island and McNish seamount |
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| On-going Blue Belt research on MFV Edinburgh 17-Apr-2018 |
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RRS James Clark Ross Expedition Newsletter |
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| RRS James Clark Ross visited Tristan da Cunha waters 22-31 March 2018 4-Apr-2018 |
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RRS James Clark Ross visits Tristan |
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| Presentation of Blue Belt research given to island community 3-Apr-2018 |
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Tristan Blue Belt plans presented to MPs |
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| UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove leads delegation of MPs committed to marine protection 22-Mar-2018 |
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RRS James Clark Ross helps Tristan's Blue Belt plans |
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| UK marine research ship to carry out Tristan EEZ seamount surveys in March 2018 21-Mar-2018 |
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Report on Tristan da Cunha Marine Protection Planning Workshop |
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| Blue Belt July 2017 London Workshop Report available to download 9-Mar-2018 |
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Cefas officer assists Tristan with Blue Belt Work |
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| Update on Oliver Yates' work on Tristan's Blue Belt plans. 9-Feb-2018 |
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Blue Belt Representatives to visit Tristan in January 2018 |
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| RMS St Helena's final Tristan voyage brings MMO and Cefas scientists to Tristan 27-Dec-2017 |
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