Guidance: The Blue Belt programme

The Blue Belt programme supports delivery of the UK government’s commitment to provide long term protection of over four million square kilometres of marine environment across the UK Overseas Territories.

As part of the programme, we have been reviewing the effectiveness of various remote monitoring and surveillance solutions, including options for satellite surveillance. This report gives an update on our findings.

Overall, the Blue Belt Programme provides £20 million of funding over 4 years (2016 to 2020) to:

• improve scientific understanding of the marine environment
• develop and implement evidence-based, tailored marine management strategies including surveillance and enforcement
• ensure management is sustainable and long term.