Dear Sir,

Once again thank you for allowing me to voice my concern about the seemingly never-ending debate surrounding the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme. Recently, I was very grateful to be included in a meeting with the minister responsible for the Environment, Jaché Adams. I was pleased to see that the meeting included a considerable number of equally concerned Bermudians. Second, I was encouraged that those present represented a broad cross-section of our community — hoteliers, charter boat operators, dive shops, entrepreneurs, and both past and present commercial fishermen, to name just a few. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, every single person in the room shared the same message: that something must be done to preserve our dwindling fish stocks.

What I do not understand is why the process is taking so long. I welcome the minister’s willingness to engage in a consultative process, but after more than seven years, surely the time for consultation is over. Now is the time for action.

I recall the letter from the Bermuda National Trust countersigned by a vast number of businesses and groups, all seeking implementation of the Marine Spatial Plan. This plan followed extensive research and unanimous recommendations from marine scientists, all advocating for a balanced and rational approach to the preservation of our marine environment. The proposal to fully protect less than 10 per cent of our reef area is not a big ask.

As I said in my previous letter, I am not aware of anyone who wants to deprive the commercial fishermen of their livelihoods. Quite the opposite — the plan seeks to rebuild our fish stocks so that future generations can continue to fish and enjoy Bermuda’s waters. As a dive tour operator, the protected areas are where we primarily operate and are a fundamental to our livelihoods.

Some commercial fishermen have argued that they wish for more data in relation to fish stocks as they assert that the data use in the BOPP process is now out of date. As I understand it however, that data was current when the BOPP plan was first “floated” (pun intended) almost eight years ago. It has only become “old” because implementation has been repeatedly delayed.

That is difficult to accept as a reason for further postponement. Fish stocks have been declining since records began — save for a bounceback when fish pots were banned more than 30 years ago — and their numbers have been documented as critically depleted.

It seems unrealistic to assume that they have somehow rebounded over the last eight years without any significant changes in management. Waiting even longer in the hope that the evidence will somehow become more favourable serves no one.

By way of an update, apparently the Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda has submitted a “counterproposal” to the minister. One is forced to query why this hasn't been published so that the scientific and marine experts may comment on it. This serves only to possibly further delay implementation which, in the long run, serves no one.

The minister has listened. The consultation has been done. The science has been gathered. The public have spoken. Now the Government must show leadership.

I urge the Government to finally do what should have been done years ago and implement the Marine Spatial Plan for the benefit of all Bermudians — today and for generations to come.

MARK DIEL

Dive Bermuda