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<p>The UK Overseas Territories' are constitutionally responsible for their marine
environments. The Blue Belt programme has supported Territories to designate and manage
large-scale protected areas around the British Indian Ocean Territory, South Georgia
& the South Sandwich Islands, Pitcairn, St Helena, Ascension and within the British
Antarctic Territory. The programme is on track to deliver over 4 million square kilometres
of protected ocean during this year, with the anticipated future designation of a
management regime across Tristan da Cunha's maritime area.</p><p>Other Territories
indicated that they did not wish to pursue the development of large-scale marine protected
areas within their waters though the Blue Belt programme. Many of these Territories
have already implemented a range of marine management measures within their waters.
Funding from the Blue Belt programme has been used to enhance the annual Darwin Plus
initiative, to enable those Territories to bid for funding to undertake local marine
projects, which many have done, including projects with the Blue Belt delivery partners.</p><p>The
next phase of the Blue Belt programme, subject to the comprehensive Spending Review,
will seek to expand engagement, and provide broader support for all Territories to
protect their marine environment, while further developing sustainable marine economies.</p>
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