Posts by: Karen Mentiply

UK Overseas Territory Day established on first Monday in June

Special service in Westminster Abbey marks inaugural day to raise awareness and foster a deeper connection between the UK and its Overseas Territories The President of UKOTA – the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association – has announced the establishment of UK Overseas Territories Day. This event will be celebrated annually on the first Monday of […] Read more...

Cefas Blue Belt symposium 2024

To find out about all that happened during the Cefas Blue Belt symposium 2024 and hear from the UKOTs on their experiences, achievements, and challenges surrounding the protection of their ocean environments follow the link HERE   Read more...

Cayman assumes Presidency of UK Overseas Territories Association

The Cayman Islands has been elected to assume the Presidency of the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) following its annual general meeting held earlier this week. Cayman will take over from the Falkland Islands. For almost 30 years, UKOTA has ensured that the Overseas Territories, regardless of their size, have an equal voice and […] Read more...

St Helena Recognised as an International Marine Hope Spot

Today, Monday 13 November 2023, international marine conservation organisation Mission Blue officially recognised St Helena’s Marine Protected Area as a Hope Spot. Hope Spots are recognised as special places, being one of a kind areas of ocean that are scientifically identified for their uniqueness, and most importantly their community’s contribution and efforts in maintaining or […] Read more...

Launch of the next round of Darwin Plus Local

Darwin Plus Local is a new scheme within the existing UK government’s Darwin Plus fund, which funds projects to protect the unique biodiversity and improve resilience to climate change within the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs). Darwin Plus Local has been introduced to support small scale environmental projects exclusively in the UKOTs, with the aim of […] Read more...

UKOTA Newsletter

Our latest Newsletter is now available and can be viewed on our website using the link HERE Alternatively access via the dropdown menu in the Newsletter & Resources Tab Read more...

World Oceans Day

In November – December 2022 the RRS Discovery travelled 9000 miles to the remote islands of Ascension and St Helena. Run as part of the UK Government’s Blue Belt Programme, this scientific expedition visited areas of previously uncharted ocean within the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of these south Atlantic islands. Introduced by international musician and […] Read more...

Blue Belt Programme and Work with the OTs

Read about the great work being done in the Overseas Territories.  Pitcairn’s citizen scientists highlight the coral reefs of the Pitcairn Islands as a biodiversity superpower.  Turks & Caicos Islands are working hard to ensure effective marine protection in their waters and read about the highlights from the DY159 expedition as they survey the marine […] Read more...