The Bermuda Taxi Owners and Operators Association (BTOA) has voiced its support for the Blue Halo initiative, which aims to install a no-take marine reserve around the Island, calling on Government to make the Blue Halo a “reality”.

“Over the past years, because of the decrease in visitors we’ve seen our business revenue continue to go down,” said a spokesman for the BTOA executive team.

As the hard times continue for taxi drivers, said the spokesman, the BTOA is putting its weight behind a project it feels will benefit Bermuda in a myriad ways, underlining its support for any initiative that could bring more tourists to the Island.

“We believe the Blue Halo project would bring great results to the Island. It would be good for tourism, good for our industry and a great benefit for Bermuda all around.

“We would like to encourage the Bermuda Government to help us and all businesses in Bermuda by making the Blue Halo a reality and, as a result, attract an estimated 6,000 more visitors to Bermuda.

A 2012 report titled “The Economic Impact of the Bermuda Blue Halo: An Exploratory Assessment”, found that the reserve could generate $10 million annually while costing around $1 million per year to maintain.

A section of the report states: “The benefits could result in annual spending for Bermuda that exceeds $10 million, with additional economic expansion due to indirect spending, and generate tax revenues in excess of $8 million, in the process creating as many as 200 jobs.