Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing the government of Tristan da Cunha with the establishment of the islands’ marine protection zone.

The UK Government has been supporting Tristan da Cunha to enhance marine protection in their waters since 2016, as part of the Blue Belt initiative. This has included two major multi-disciplinary surveys to improve knowledge of inshore, seamounts and open ocean ecosystems to inform management decisions; provided a new vessel for inshore biodiversity monitoring and refurbished the existing fisheries patrol vessel; expert advice on the design of the marine protection zone including recommendations for 'Area To Be Avoided' around the islands to protect vulnerable habitats; assistance with putting in place effective legislation and management strategies to underpin the designation; extensive training (sea-survival, vessel maintenance, enforcement training, fisheries observer training) to build capacity on island; and targeted satellite surveillance to ensure Tristan's waters are effectively monitored and enforced.

Since the designation, the Blue Belt programme has also provided some additional support to assist Tristan diversify its economy from offshore commercial fishing revenue.