- UK government partners with conservation charity ZSL to launch app update allowing wildlife enthusiasts to track and log creatures in waters around British Overseas Territories
- minister announces initiative at symposium of flagship Blue Belt ocean protection programme
- additional measures confirmed for South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, significantly extending protected waters
An app feature that allows the public to identify turtles, sharks and whales using their mobile phones was launched at an event celebrating the UK’s flagship ocean conservation programme.
The collaboration with ZSL’s Instant Wild platform invites people to pull back the blue curtain in the UK Overseas Territories (Global Ocean Wildlife Analysis Network (GOWAN): Cayman Islands Projects from ZSL Instant Wild
the findings on the app will be used by the Global Ocean Wildlife Analysis Network (GOWAN), a sub-programme of Blue Belt. This global biodiversity and habitat monitoring network – the largest of its kind – uses underwater cameras known as Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) to improve understanding of marine ecosystems and inform management and protection measures
find out more information on amendments to the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands MPA
the Blue Belt Programme’s vision is for the UK Overseas Territories to protect and enhance ocean health, halt biodiversity loss, enable sustainable growth, build climate change resilience, and to connect people with the natural environment. The Programme underpins some of the UK’s commitments in the 25 Year Environment Plan, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the commitment to ensure 30% of the world’s ocean are protected by 2030
the Blue Belt Symposium is taking place between 26 to 28 February, bringing together representatives from all participating UK Overseas Territories. Keynote speeches will be provided by Peter Thomson, United Nations special envoy for the Ocean, Professor Jessica Meeuwig, University of Western Australia and Kate Brown, Global Island Partnerships
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