Bermuda is to lend its expertise to a proposal to transform the Sargasso Sea into a marine protected area (MPA).

Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney detailed the Island’s contributions at a press conference at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo this morning.

“This ambitious project would create one of the largest protected areas of ocean on the planet,” he said.

“As Bermuda is the only land mass within the Sargasso Sea, our local scientific and environmental community, in partnership with the Foreign Commonwealth Office, Bermuda Government and overseas organisations, set about making this MPA a reality.”

An article detailing the initiative is set to come out in an edition of Time magazine tomorrow, he said.

Premier Ewart Brown, on hand for the announcement, said: “When an international publication of the calibre and reputation of Time takes interest in our Island and positive work coming from the Ministry of the Environment, it is good news for Bermuda.”

Mr. Blakeney echoed: “We simply couldn’t ask for better publicity.”

For the full story see tomorrow’s edition of The Royal Gazette.