Montserrat joins the UK Blue Belt programme
In June, Montserrat officially became the latest British Overseas Territory to join the UK's Blue Belt programme.
MONTSERRATNEWS FROM THE OVERSEAS TERRITORIES
Montserrat has officially become the latest British Overseas Territory (BOT) to join the Blue Belt Programme, a major milestone for Caribbean marine conversation. The partnership was officially announced on 8 June 2026, coinciding with World Oceans day and marking the 10th anniversary of the UK government’s flagship marine preservation initiative.
It is the fourth Caribbean territory to join the initiative, aligning its conservation efforts with its fellow neighbors: Anguilla, Turks and Caicos Islands and the Cayman Islands. With this signing, the Government of Montserrat is committed to safeguarding at least 20% of its maritime zone. Additionally, this pushes the total area of ocean protected under the Blue Belt programme to over 4 million square kilometres. This collective effort is crucial to meeting the goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 (the 30x30 goal).
Despite its small landmass, Monserrat has a high marine diversity, its waters are home to many marine life, including mass fields of giant barrel sponges and critical nesting and foraging grounds for the critically endangered hawksbill turtle.
Through the Blue Belt Programme, Montserrat will receive direct funding from the UK Government. The collaboration ensures that its waters will remain resilient, diverse and blue for the generations to come.
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