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February 20, 2012

Re: This is truly Bermuda’s time to shine” in the January 26 edition of The Royal Gazette.

Dear Sir,

I commend the Bermuda Government and other involved local and international organisations for their efforts in protecting our waters within the Sargasso Sea. As a Bermudian and current fourth year biology student at the University of Western Ontario, I was excited to see that the establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) within the greater portion of Bermuda’s Exclusive Economic Zone would be completed in the near future. Indeed, the importance of the Sargasso Sea to the many marine organisms it supports, as well as its importance in protecting our island home, makes the Bermuda Blue Halo project one of crucial importance to us all.

Although local fishermen may initially oppose the MPA designation of Bermuda’s waters, they need not fear. Such ‘no-take zones’ ultimately allow fish stocks to rebound within the MPA and a number of fish will inevitably migrate to non-protected areas (in which they are allowed to fish) serving as possible catch. Ultimately this will benefit Bermuda by improving populations of several marine organisms, garnering international attention through this major conservation initiative and by (re) establishing Bermuda as a prime location for tourist and marine scientists alike. With the possibility of creating the first high-seas MPA, this is truly Bermuda’s time to shine.

CHLOE MINORS

Hamilton Parish

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