The creation of protected marine areas for local waters is supported by an open letter formally submitted to the Government by the Bermuda National Trust and backed by more than 60 organisations.

It came with an urgent call for the implementation of the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme’s Marine Spatial Plan and for a proposed Marine Development Act supporting the conservation to be brought into force.

The letter was handed to Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, along with Kirk Outerbridge, the ministry’s permanent secretary, on Tuesday.

Signatures in support came from research authorities, hotels, dive operators, tourism businesses, marine service providers, environmental organisations, recreational groups, charities and businesses.

They include the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, whose chief executive and president, Craig Carlson, has stated on the organisation’s website that “marine spatial planning, including marine-protected areas and sustainable management, are successful in supporting positive outcomes for coastal and island communities' ecosystems and economies”.

Other supporters include the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce, the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and the Bermuda Audubon Society.

Bios is one of the three original signatories to BOPP along with the Waitt Institute and the Bermuda Government.

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BNT open letter.pdf

Myles Darrell, the BNT’s head of natural heritage, said: “Together, they share the belief that a strong and effective MSP will help protect and sustain Bermuda's environmental, economic and social future.

“The extent of support demonstrates a growing consensus that the surrounding ocean is one of Bermuda’s greatest natural assets and that its long-term protection is essential to the island's prosperity.

“Healthy coral reefs, seagrass beds, fisheries and marine ecosystems support tourism, recreation, coastal protection, biodiversity and the quality of life enjoyed by all residents and visitors.

“Co-ordinated by BNT, this coalition of MSP supporters believes it is essential to act now.

“Support for the MSP is grounded in both local experience and international scientific evidence.”

BOPP has been seven years in the making with significant resources invested in scientific research, consultation and planning.

Its Marine Spatial Plan offers a framework for protecting marine ecosystems while supporting sustainable use of ocean resources.

However, BOPP was put on hold following the last General Election as the Government sought time for further consultation.

The Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda has been a vocal opponent to elements of the plan, calling for more data to justify protecting 20 per cent of Bermuda’s waters as MPAs. It claims there was no consultation on the original premise of using MPAs as a primary tool for ocean protection.

An FAB spokeswoman said: “We are not at all against conservation. If the full protection label hadn't been baked into BOPP with no prior consultation, we could have found a happy compromise.”

Fishermen presented a petition with about 5,000 signatures against the BOPP 20 per cent proposal to David Burt, the Premier, and Cabinet in January 2023.

An excerpt of the petition read: “We demand that before permanent ‘no-take’ zones are established by a foreign entity, the Government focuses on the pressing needs that have been highlighted for years in the fishing industry, including enforcement, bag limits and the restructuring of the licensing tiers, as well as pollution and shoreline development.”

The FAB spokeswoman said that there were 192 commercial fishing licences at present, with more than 50 per cent of them members of the association.

FAB’s spokeswoman said “a lot of non-members express their support for our position”.

She added: “We agree on the vast majority of the [BOPP] objectives. We want our reefs protected from development and pollution.”

Mr Darrell highlighted recent remarks by BUEI describing MSPs as “a vital step towards securing a healthy ocean for generations to come”.

BUEI stated Bermuda's oceans were under increasing pressure and called the MSP “a practical, proven pathway forward”.

The BNT shared a statement from The Reefs Resort & Club, which said “a healthy ocean and well managed marine parks create exceptional experiences for visitors while protecting the natural environment that makes Bermuda unique”.

Island Time Bermuda gave a similar statement, saying guests come to Bermuda to experience a “world-class ocean environment”.

Stuart Kriendler, a lifelong Bermudian fisherman, said the days of abundant marine life were “long gone”. He supported BOPP as for the best chance of replenishing stocks.

Mr Darrell added: “Some have questioned the capacity for enforcement of the new regulatory framework. This is directly addressed by the MSP itself, which provides a practical framework for strengthening monitoring, compliance and stewardship. The existence of enforcement challenges is not a reason to delay action.

“Rather, it reinforces the need for a clear plan that enables Bermuda to build the capacity to manage and protect its marine environment more effectively.”

He said that stakeholder engagement for the plan had been extensive.

The Government recently stated that to consider the fishing community specifically, it set its MPA target at 20 per cent, already 10 per cent below the global standard — and that cutting it further would amount to “doing nothing at all”.

Mr Darrell echoed this, saying: “Any weakening of the proposed protections in the MSP would reduce the benefits it is intended to deliver.”

The Government’s 2005 White Paper, The Marine Environment and the Fishing Industry in Bermuda, recommended a range of marine resource management measures, including MPAs.

The Bermuda Biodiversity Action Plan 2003 was developed by the Bermuda and UK Governments to guide protection of the island’s marine and terrestrial life.

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Biodiversity+Action+Plan_March2003.pdf

Mr Darrell said the response from the community had been “remarkable”.

He added: “We have the framework. Most importantly, we have broad support from organisations that understand the value of a healthy ocean.”

The Ministry of Public Works and Environment was approached for comment.