Stuart has welcomed the news that 4.3million square kilometres of ocean have now been protected under the Blue Belt programme. This includes a British Overseas Territory – Tristan da Cunha – which will become the world’s biggest Marine Conservation Zone. 

This represents 1% of all the worlds ocean now being protected under the programme, the biggest ever aquatic sanctuary spanning an area 17 times the size of Great Britain. The Government aims to enlist the help of other countries to bring this figure up to 30% by 2030.

Stuart said:

“As climate change has become an increasingly pressing issue in recent years, I have been increasingly concerned by the impact that modern life and consumerism is having on our oceans.

It is fantastic news that Tristan da Cunha and its wildlife will be protected and that over 90% of their waters will now be closed to harmful activities.

I am also very pleased that the Government plan to make further schemes possible, and protect more of our own waters once the transition period has concluded.

I appreciate how important the issues surrounding our environment and climate are to many of my constituents and I will continue to press for more to can be done – however we can.”