Representatives of industries that would be affected by the Blue Ocean Prosperity Programme met the environment minister to share their views, The Royal Gazette has learnt.

Hoteliers, charter boat operators, dive shops, entrepreneurs as well as past and present commercial fishermen were among a cross-section of the community reportedly at the meeting with Jaché Adams on July 20.

Discussions with the Minister of Public Works and the Environment focused on the implementation of the Blue Prosperity Plan under BOPP, which encompasses a marine spatial plan and the blue economy strategy.

The MSP seeks to implement a network of no-fishing, marine-protected areas offshore, as well as near to shore where there have been found to be greater pressures on fish populations.

Peter Flook, a member of the Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda — an organisation that opposes the BOPP plan to designate 20 per cent of near and offshore waters as full MPAs — said during the meeting that adopting the programme could help to unlock benefits for the industry.

The Gazette revealed this week that $10.1 million of support has already been dedicated to the BOPP from the international non-governmental organisations Waitt Institute, the Waitt Foundation and Oceans 5.

More support is expected to come upon legal adoption of the Marine Development Act under the BOPP.

The Government has since said: “As implementation progresses, we expect further opportunities to attract additional support for this work and any future government investment will be considered as part of the normal Budget process.”

The public-private structured Ocean Fund is expected to raise $60 million to assist sustainable businesses in sectors such as fisheries, marine technology, renewable energy and eco-tourism.

Mr Flook said that while he agreed with the FAB’s stance on the need for better enforcement and recording of fish stocks as well as the establishment of recreational fishing licences, among other measures, the BOPP could help to achieve those goals.

A full-time licensed commercial fisherman, Mr Flook told the Gazette: “My message to the Government was that I’m tired of meetings. We need to act right now and get something done.

“The Government has suggested that more money will be available for all these other things but we have to be seen to be doing the right things to begin with.

“I believe in MSPs and I’m not afraid of what is coming.”

The BOPP, which would establish marine-protected areas with the aim of replenishing fish stocks while seeking to boost the blue economy, was put on hold after the 2025 General Election as the Government sought to reflect and allow for further consultation.

The Government has said the design for a network of MPAs was created following “global science and best practices … with over 2,000 local ocean users contributing to the process”.

According to the BOPP, MPAs could help to restore Bermuda’s marine habitat, replenish commercially important fish stocks and increase revenue for tourism and ocean-related businesses while creating jobs.

Under the BOPP, MPAs would be distributed offshore as well as on the platform with the aim of protecting fish nursery habitats and spawning grounds.

The FAB issued a counterproposal to the Government, as revealed by the Gazette this week, which instead proposed a 15-mile-wide ring-shaped MPA offshore where there is no local fishing activity.

Within the ring, the FAB proposed 100 per cent management with access restricted to Bermudian-licensed and managed boats.

Rather than protecting fish stocks, the idea is to send a message to illegal foreign commercial fishermen that Bermuda is “effectively managed”, the FAB proposal said.

Mr Flook’s brother, Chris Flook, a former collector of specimens at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo who is now a naturalist and manager at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, led the charge 15 years ago with the Pew Foundation to create a much bigger marine-protected ring, also outside where the majority of fishing takes place, known as Blue Halo.

That project never got off the ground.

Peter Flook also said he told the meeting with the minister last month that he supported higher penalties for illegal fishing practices.

He said: “My stance is the fines are not big enough compared to what it needs to be.

“In Bermuda, fishing is used as a hustle as there is minuscule enforcement and fines. There is little to stop them doing it.”

Mark Diel, the owner and operator of Dive Bermuda, was also at the meeting with Mr Adams.

He said that everyone in attendance shared the same message that “something must be done to preserve our dwindling fish stocks”.

In a Letter to the Editor published today, Mr Diel wrote: “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 fundamental to our livelihoods.

“I urge the Government to finally do what should have been done years ago and implement the MSP for the benefit of all Bermudians, today and for generations to come.”

The FAB maintained its position that it did not support the MPA network.

It said: “What we don't want to happen is for BOPP to pass, and nice maps to be drawn, everyone pats themselves on the back, great photo op … and then nothing else happens.

“No recreational licensing and data collection, no stock assessments, no further improved enforcement — except against commercial fishers for fishing where they've always fished but now they're criminals.”

A spokeswoman for the Government said that its objective was simple, “to protect Bermuda’s marine environment while supporting the people and industries that depend on it”.

She said: “The MSP is about far more than drawing lines on a map.

“It is about strengthening enforcement, improving monitoring and data collection, investing in education and ensuring our oceans remain healthy for future generations.

“Protecting our marine environment is also an investment in our economy, supporting tourism, recreation and sustainable fishing.

“The Government has already strengthened Bermuda’s marine management through new technology, improved fisheries monitoring, enhanced enforcement planning and international partnerships that provide technical expertise and additional resources.

“As implementation progresses, we expect further opportunities to attract additional support for this work and any future government investment will be considered as part of the normal Budget process.

“The suggestion that decisions are being made without science is simply not accurate.

“Bermuda’s MSP is informed by years of local monitoring, fisheries data and scientific research.”

She said no decision had yet been made on the BOPP and that the minister was continuing to meet stakeholders.