BLUE’s November 2020 Newsletter

BLUE’S NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER 

Dear Friend of BLUE,

As we near the end of this challenging year, BLUE is still building momentum, with some significant achievements over the past month:

Largest marine protected area in the Atlantic

The UK Overseas Territory of Tristan da Cunha has committed to fully protecting 687,000km² of it territorial waters from fishing and all extractive activities. This incredible commitment protects an area three times the size of the UK. Led by RSPB and Nat Geo Pristine Seas, BLUE is delighted to support this project in partnership with Becht Family Charitable Trust and the UK Government Blue Belt Programme.

Lyme Bay: The Road to Recovery

BLUE’s new documentary film “Lyme Bay: The Road to Recovery” by award-winning director Rupert Murray was premiered at an event attended by the Lyme Bay fishermen. The film tells the story of the ten-year collaboration between fishermen, scientists and conservationists and shows how sustainable fishing can benefit marine life and the
community. The Commonwealth Blue Charter published a case study on Lyme Bay as part of sustainable coastal fisheries.

NGOs press for the closure of Dogger Bank to fishing

Following a threat of legal action from BLUE, the UK Government brought forward a consultation on the future of fishing in offshore marine protected areas, starting with the Dogger Bank, with the option of closing protected areas to fishing. The potential closure of the marine reserve comes just weeks after the publication of a report by Blue Marine Foundation, ClientEarth, Marine
Conservation Society and WWF.

Emergency meeting called to save yellowfin tuna

The Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) announced that it will be holding a special meeting in early 2021 to address yellowfin tuna overfishing, just weeks after BLUE called for an emergency meeting to save the stock. BLUE’s report on the “Failure to manage yellowfin tuna by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission” was also recently
featured in the BBC Food article: “Are your favourite foods at risk of extinction?”.

A watch designed to protect the ocean

Are you looking for a beautiful Christmas present that will help protect the ocean? In celebration of BLUE’s tenth year, Christopher Ward has released a limited-edition dive watch, the C60 BLUE. All profits from the sale of the C60 BLUE are being generously donated to BLUE.

Flapper skate eggs feature on Autumnwatch

The flapper skate expedition BLUE organised was featured on BBC Autumnwatch, in a section almost eight minutes long. Please follow this iPlayer link and skip to 13.20.

New “Who We Are” video marks ten years

We have released a new “Who We Are” video in honour of BLUE’s tenth year. The short video aims to encompass all that BLUE does to protect our ocean. Please share on social media!