Tristan islanders and officials participated in a 'Blue Belt' event in London to celebrate World Ocean Day 2022.

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 Department, FCDO, and Chair of the Blue Belt Board, opens the event next to the panelists.

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.

James Glass presenting 1 James presenting 4
Above and below left: James Glass presenting
James Glass presenting 2 Lord Zac Goldsmith, Minister for the Pacific and the Environment
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".

James Glass with Lord Zac Goldsmith Trevor Glass with Jonathan Hall, RSPB Head of Overseas Territories
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.

James Glass with Adam Pile, Deputy Director of Overseas Territories at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office James Glass with British Antarctic Survey Chief Executive Dame Jane Francis
James Glass with Adam Pile, Deputy Director of Overseas Territories at the FCDO. James Glass with British Antarctic Survey Chief Executive, Dame Jane Francis.

Steph Martin, Tristan's Environmental and Conservation Policy Officer, chairs a session

Stephanie Martin, Tristan's Environmental and Conservation Policy Officer, chaired one of the sessions.

Josephine Connolly, Minister from the Turks and Caicos Islands

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.