To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to support the deep sea fishing industry in the British Virgin Islands.

The management and development of British Virgin Island's (BVI) fishing industry is a responsibility of the BVI Government. We are encouraging the BVI government to join the UK Government's Overseas Territories Blue Belt Programme which provides advice and support on sustainable commercial fisheries management, management of marine activities and enhanced marine protection. Remote surveillance, monitoring and enforcement capabilities to tackle issues such as illegal unregulated fishing, are also available as part of the Blue Belt, or they can be accessed as a standalone support package known as the Blue Belt Ocean Shield. Initial discussions on the potential for BVI to join the Blue Belt have been held at Ministerial and official level with the BVI government.