Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to amend the Blue Belt Programme to (a) increase protections for endangered bird species, (b) conserve fishing stocks and (c) protect the ocean floor.

The FCDO's Blue Belt Programme provides the UK Overseas Territories (OTs) with support, training and technical expertise to protect species and habitats within their waters. Each OT is unique, therefore the management and protective measures are Territory specific. For example, OTs have put in place measures to protect sea-bird species; established sustainable and precautionary fishing practices to conserve fish stocks and have banned damaging fishing practices (such as benthic trawlers) and hydrocarbon removal to protect the ocean floor. The Programme will continue to support OTs with the protection and sustainable management of their marine environment.