Did you know that Defra supports conservation projects that help endangered fish, coral reef and seabirds in far flung spots such as St Helena and the British Virgin Islands?
Darwin Plus is an internationally renowned programme which helps to protect some of the world’s most threatened species in UK Overseas Territories.
On Wednesday, we announced that eleven Darwin Plus projects will receive grants totalling £1.5 million, with over £430,000 allocated to projects to help sea life.
The successful projects include a seabird recovery programme in the British Virgin Islands, a plan to help coral reef in the Cayman Islands resist the effects of climate change, and a project to ensure the sustainable management of fisheries in St Helena.
One of the projects, based in South Georgia, is working to eradicate rats that were introduced to the island by visiting ships, shortly after Captain Cook discovered it back in 1775. As the rats have no natural predators there, they are decimating the island’s sea birds by – eating albatross chicks. The project has previously received Darwin support, and it will now benefit from a further £249,783 to help bring it to completion.
Environment Minister Lord de Mauley said:
“Our Overseas Territories are home to thousands of amazing creatures, from Staghorn Coral to Rockhopper Penguins, which all play a part in the delicate balancing act of nature.
“That’s why we’re enabling world class conservation scientists to carry out ground-breaking work where it is needed the most, ensuring precious species are protected and given the best chance of survival.”
Darwin Plus also provides support for scientists who wish to study in the UK before taking their learnings expertise to our Overseas Territories.
This year, Luc Clerveaux, an Environmental Officer working for the Turks and Caicos Government, will receive £28,935 to complete a MSc in Coastal and Marine Resource Management at the University of Portsmouth. His knowledge and skills in research, planning and policy for marine ecosystem services management will be then be brought back to the islands.
