Focus groups have been held to discuss the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has said.

The BOPP draft plan comprises a marine spatial initiative to protect 20 per cent of the island’s waters across a range of habitats and a blue economy strategy for developing businesses.

The discussions happened as the Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda voiced confidence that it can salvage a deal with the Government over final sticking points in the marine conservation plan for the island.

A BOPP spokesman said: “The focus group sessions included stakeholders that have been closely involved in creating the draft blue prosperity plan since public consultation began in 2020.

“Individuals from industries and organisations representing a variety of sectors across Bermuda — including conservation, economic development, education, fishing, tourism, and utilities — had the opportunity to discuss and learn about each other’s ocean-related priorities.

“Over six weeks in April and May, the focus groups brought together 53 participants, with some attending a total of 12 hours of meetings.

“The topics addressed in each focus group represented areas of the draft plan that received significant interest during public consultation.

“An important new data set was incorporated into the mapping platform to address specific concerns the commercial fishing sector raised last year.

“Many fishermen felt that the complexities of their industry, such as the various gear types used and species targeted, had not been adequately considered in designing the proposed marine protected area network.

“Bermuda’s ocean use survey was reopened to commercial fishermen from November 2022 to March 2023 to resolve this issue.”