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The Department of Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) and the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources Management (DFMRM) have announcd their collaboration with joining UK scientists on the Blue Belt Programme – Beyond the Reef: Caribbean Expedition.
This ground-breaking mission will take place aboard the RRS James Cook, a British Royal Research Ship operated by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), from 30 January to 10 February 2026 in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The expedition will explore the Caribbean waters surrounding Anguilla, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Cayman Islands, advancing scientific understanding of these vital marine ecosystems.
Coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of the Blue Belt Programme, the initiative builds on the success of previous surveys, including the Discovery 159 Expedition around Ascension and St Helena in 2022. The findings will continue to strengthen the capacity of UK Overseas Territories to manage and protect their marine protected areas.
Using advanced techniques such as BRUVs (Baited Remote Underwater Video systems), eDNA sampling, seafloor cameras, water sampling, and acoustic monitoring, the expedition will generate robust scientific evidence to guide the Turks and Caicos Islands Government in shaping marine conservation policies, fishing regulations, and long-term sustainability priorities.
In addition to research, the survey will provide capacity building across multiple scientific disciplines, including oceanography, hydrography, and ecology. The objectives of the surveys are as follows:
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Exploration of deep-water environments of the Turks and Caicos Islands
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Identification of potential new fisheries
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Enhanced understanding of offshore ecosystems
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Monitoring of water quality and pollution levels
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Expansion of local expertise in water quality analysis
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Addressing illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
As members of our team embark today enroute to the RRS James Cook, we extend our best wishes for safe travels and a successful expedition. This initiative marks a phenomenal step forward in safeguarding the future of TCI’s marine resources for generations to come.
