UK’s ‘blue belt’ expanded

THE United Kingdom’s marine “Blue Belt” is expanding to protect rare seabirds’ habitats.

Nearly 150,000 rare seabirds, including the little tern and black-throated diver, will benefit from moves to expand the Blue Belt, which is made up of classified Special Protection Areas (SPAs).

The latest expansion will add a 24-mile stretch of coastline between Falmouth Bay and St Austell Bay in Corn- wall to the Blue Belt, which already protects 23% of UK waters, and more than 300 sites across land.

The move is intended to protect populations of rare, vulnerable and migratory birds.

A further marine SPA has also been announced in the Irish Sea between the Isle of Man and Anglesey, home to the largest known aggregation of Manx shearwaters.