should conclusively end debate on the abundance of local fish stocks.

The survey, which began in June, 1991, involves monthly dives by fisheries officers at four selected sites around the Island.

The divers sit on the bottom, at depths of about 40 feet, and count the numbers of fish and species in the immediate area.

Senior Fisheries Officer Dr. Brian Luckhurst says the survey amounts to a scientifically sound visual census of fish that will provide Government with reasonably, though not absolutely, accurate assessments of fish populations.

Nevertheless, its results could end a debate on fish stocks that has pitted fishermen against Government for almost ten years.

In April, 1990, the Government banned fishpots on the basis of significant evidence that fish numbers were dangerously low -- a position strongly opposed by commercial fishermen.

One of the chief arguments supporting the new survey is that it will free Fisheries from relying on anecdotal evidence supplied by divers, fishermen, dive boat operators and commercial catch results.

This month's Throne Speech was perhaps the last chapter in that debate.

Government cited an "encouraging improvement'' in Bermuda's fish stocks to conclude that "the difficult decision (it) was obliged to take in eliminating the use of fish pots was correct and was taken in time to save this vital natural resource''.

Dr. James Burnett-Herkes, permanent secretary for the Environment, acknowledged the statement was based on anecdotal evidence and not on any fish survey results.

In a tit-for-tat exchange that typified the fisheries debate, fishermen Mr.

Danny Farias said the Throne Speech statement was false.

"There has been no recovery,'' he said. "The fish have always been there.

I'm not going to argue about this anymore. The fish are there. They always were.'' Dr. Luckhurst said his first-year readings established baseline data by which subsequent readings can be compared. He declined to comment on what his findings this year indicated, saying they were being tabulated for a report.

But Dr. Luckhurst said the so-called Bohnsack survey technique follows strict guidelines that will enable Fisheries to make its own assessments without reliance on outside sources.

The techniques involves divers descending to the sites and counting all the fish swimming through an imaginary column of water, about 24 feet in diameter.

Visual recording is done at eight to ten different spots at each dive site.

The divers follow the same practices with each census taking: rotating 360 degrees and recording the numbers and size of fish passing through the imaginary cylinder of water.

The survey, which Dr. Luckhurst began 18 months ago, has identified 67 different species so far, from rockfish to coneys to parrotfish.

His survey team has already completed 586 dives at the four sights: east of North Rock, outside Western Blue Cut, off the southwest and near John Smith's Bay.

Each site is outside the breakers, at roughly the same depth and with generally the same habitat and good visibility.

Fisheries director Mr. John Barnes said the survey will become a good management tool.

"In order to manage the resource properly, we need to know as much as we can,'' he said. "This technique has been found to be a valuable tool in monitoring the stock.

"To detect any changes in the abundance and composition of the reef fish community, we'll have to maintain this programme over several years to determine clear trends as opposed to natural variations.''