A series of public meetings are to be held to discuss the recently released Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Bermuda's Living Marine Resources.

The strategy aims to provide a blueprint for managing Bermuda's marine resources over the next 15 years, so as to encourage a sustainable and economically viable fishing industry, promote healthy marine ecosystems, and ensure that the interests of all those who have a stake in the marine environment are represented.

Dr. Fred Ming, Director of Environmental Protection said: "The strategy will guide our decisions concerning Bermuda's marine resources for the next 15 years and we want to ensure that we have the buy-in from all stakeholders. Our ultimate aim is to engender stewardship by users of our marine resources so that they will be healthy and thriving for generations to come."

The meetings have been organised around various stakeholder groups including recreational anglers clubs, lobster divers and spearfishers, recreational line fishers, commercial fishermen and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

All meetings will be held in the Jack King building in the Botanical Gardens starting at 7 p.m. and will be on the following dates: Tuesday, June 8, for recreational anglers clubs; Wednesday, June 9, for lobster divers and spearfishers; Thursday, June 10, for recreational line fishers; Tuesday, June 15, for commercial fishermen and Thursday, June 17, for environmental NGOs.

The strategy is available on the Government portal www.gov.bm under the Environmental Protection website.

l For more information e-mail fisheries@gov.bm or call 293 5600 x2222 or x2225