A world-renowned marine conservationist has called on Government to think twice about introducing longline fishing to the Island's waters.

Dr. Callum Roberts, author of the award-winning 'The Unnatural History of the Sea', has addressed governments around the world on the importance of establishing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to replenish the fish stocks of our oceans.

The Bermuda Zoological Society this week hosted a visit from the UK professor, in which he spoke to scientists, school students, fisheries staff and fishermen.

The York University professor also gave a public lecture at BUEI on his book, which details the history of exploitation of the world's oceans and the effects of modern industrial fishing, such as trawling.

Government is currently researching the feasibility of commercial longline fishing in Bermuda's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone. The 2005 White Paper 'The Marine Environment and the Fishing Industry in Bermuda' states: "Preliminary efforts have shown encouraging results with catches of swordfish and albacore tuna. Similarly, there is a history of significant catches of albacore by foreign longliners operating in Bermuda's waters.

"Despite these positive indications there has been no move to further exploit these resources. Failure to do so could prejudice the internationally agreed quotas already obtained by Bermuda and those which might be requested in the future."

Recommending a study into the potential of Bermuda's waters for "local fishermen and entrepreneurs", the Paper states: 'Should the findings prove favourable, Government will encourage pelagic longline fishing for tuna, swordfish and other species. International regulations and quotas may apply and these will be taken into consideration when deciding upon the total number of licences to be issued."

Environmentalists claim longline fishing is harmful to wildlife as the hooks in the lines trap other animals such as sea-turtles and sharks – the process known as by-catch.

Last year, Government hired the US longline vessel Eagle Eye II to make four trial expeditions to the 200-mile EEZ. It was granted a two-month licence but was also required to record all by-catch.

In March of last year, then Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield indicated that longline fishing was being considered by Government. She said: "I'm very confident it's something we should look into. All indications are that this initial pilot programme has been very successful so far."

Yesterday The Royal Gazette asked Government for an update on its study into longline fishing, but we received no response by the time of going to press. In April however, a spokesman for the Ministry of the Environment said: "The longline feasibility study is ongoing."

Dr. Roberts however, told The Royal Gazette that longlining would only bring short-term gain at the expense of the marine environment, longevity of fish stocks and the economy of the sport fishing industry.

He told this newspaper: "I wouldn't do it. There has been longlining in Bermuda's waters for some time, largely by eastern nations pursuing mainly tunas, but a lot of these longliners have some by-catch, especially sharks.

"One of the issues the Government says it is struggling with is an ancient clause in fisheries management, that if you're not exploiting your own waters then someone else will. I don't agree with that.

"We now appreciate the futility of exploiting the resources of the sea, so introducing longlining doesn't make good sense.

"Experience around the world shows that resources can be exploited very quickly, with grounds abandoned in ten to 15 years' time. So it would be a short-term hit followed by nothing."

Dr. Roberts said: "Even if Bermuda was to commence any longlining, there's a big risk it would impact on the sport fishing industry here, as they could end up no longer being able to find fish to satisfy their clients. And particularly now, with fuel prices so high the economics of longlining probably don't make much sense.

"From my conversations with fishermen in Bermuda I also don't think there's much appetite for it among the fishing community here."