Asked by: Holly Lynch (Labour - Halifax)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent progress has been made on establishing a fully protected marine reserve around Ascension Island.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Ascension Island Government has committed to establishing a fully protected marine reserve in at least 50% of their waters by 2019. Through the Blue Belt programme, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and the Marine Management Organisation have supported delivery of the Ascension Island Government's scientific roadmap. They have also provided advice to strengthen legislation to facilitate a future Marine Protected Area declaration.
Asked by: Holly Lynch (Labour - Halifax)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to his Department's press release of 15 September 2016 entitled UK set to protect 4 million square kilometres of ocean, what progress the Government has made on delivering a marine protected area around Tristan da Cunha by 2020.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has worked with the Government of Tristan da Cunha to identify steps to be taken to implement a marine protection strategy by 2020.
Asked by: Holly Lynch (Labour - Halifax)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of enforcement against illegal fishing in Marine Protected Areas around the UK Overseas Territories; and what action is taken when UK Overseas Territories report illegal fishing in Marine Protected Areas.
Answered by Alan Duncan
Through the Overseas Territories Blue Belt programme, an assessment of potential illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing has been undertaken across the declared Marine Protected Areas. These assessments have involved a review of historical fishing activities, together with targeted real-time satellite surveillance. The support the UK is providing through the Blue Belt programme includes advice to the Overseas Territories to strengthen their legislation, where necessary, to ensure appropriate penalties are in place for any illegal fishing activities. The UK has contacted a number of Flag States and highlighted potential incursions to relevant regional Fisheries Management Organisations to ensure greater awareness of the Marine Protected Areas.
Asked by: Holly Lynch (Labour - Halifax)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much the Government plans to pay out to UK Overseas Territories to design, monitor and manage marine protected areas over the course of this Parliament.
Answered by Alan Duncan
Funding for the Blue Belt programme is provided through the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. The budget for Financial Year 16/17 is £4.8m.
In Financial Year 2015-16, up to £20 million was committed to 2020. Funding for future years is yet to be agreed.
Asked by: Holly Lynch (Labour - Halifax)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the success of the Pitcairn Islands Marine Reserve in enhancing and protecting marine life; and how many enforcement actions have been taken against illegal fishing in the reserve since its designation.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The Pitcairn Islands Marine Protected Area (MPA) was declared in September 2016. This MPA prohibits all commercial fishing. The MPA is being actively monitored by satellite surveillance, remote sensing technology, and aerial patrol. There is good evidence that the MPA is being largely respected by local fishing fleets.
Asked by: Holly Lynch (Labour - Halifax)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the recent killings by Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir; and what representations Ministers of his Department have made to the Indian Government on that matter.
Answered by Lord Sharma
I remain concerned about reports of unrest in Indian-administered Kashmir. Any allegations of human rights abuses should be investigated thoroughly, promptly and transparently. We have previously raised concerns, most recently when I met Foreign Minister Akbar on 16 March this year.