Divers have welcomed the latest Government guidelines governing recreational lobster fishing in Bermuda.

Last week Walton Brown, the Minister of Home Affairs, announced that a maximum of 500 recreational fishing licences would be granted in the 2017-18 season.

Mr Brown also called for broader consultation with the divers to ensure the welfare of the marine species. The minister’s stance has been supported by the Bermuda Lobster Divers Association, a newly formed group of mainly lobster divers, but also spearfishers and scuba divers.

The group has come together to help ensure and promote the evidence-based management of the island’s marine resource.

“The BLDA welcomes the decision of Walton Brown, the Minister of Home Affairs, in respect of the lobster diving licences for the 2017/18 season,” a spokesman said.

“However, more importantly, the BLDA welcomes the minister’s desire to have broader consultation on the licensing of lobster divers going forward.

“We are hopeful that this will extend to consultation on the marine resource generally.”

Thursday’s announcement by Mr Brown came after some lobster divers had raised concerns that the limit would be significantly reduced to 150 for the season.

Under the guidelines divers who held a licence during the past 2016-17 season can be relicensed, but must submit their catch data for the 2016-2017 season before they can renew.

Lobster divers will also be required to be “in strict compliance” with the requirement to report their season’s catch by April 20, next year.