Fishing is a way of life in Bermuda.

According to a recent survey, a third of households have at least one recreational angler translated, that means a potential 16,000 people participate in the sport.

The Department of Environmental Protection report states up to 75 percent of seafood consumed here is imported as "local fishing effort cannot supply the local demand".

It states more than half of the world's fish stocks are fully exploited, with 28 percent overfished.

This affects pelagic species such as tuna which migrate through our 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Despite this, Government is exploring the feasibility of a small longline fishing fleet.

An initial study with a US longline vessel, Eagle Eye II, in 2007 found "reasonable catches" of albacore tuna and swordfish could be expected.

Fishermen however, would have to harvest within quotas set by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) and use methods to minimise bycatch.

'A Strategy for the Sustainable Use of Bermuda's Living Marine Resources' sets out a 15-year plan to manage the Island's fisheries and marine environment, building on Government's 2005 White Paper.

It aims to increase commercial opportunities for fishermen balanced with conservation.

A management plan for each main species is proposed, with a limit on the number of commercial fishing vessels, to be reviewed every five years.

A zoning plan for the Bermuda Platform, the Banks and EEZ is also recommended.

Commercial and recreational fishermen will be required to assist in data collection but will also have a greater say in policy through a new fishermen's association.

And it states a need to have Islanders become more self-reliant as climate change and rising oil prices could affect food imports.

"The goal of this strategy is 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," it states.

Describing our marine resources as "vulnerable", it warns we all need to adopt stewardship as a community.

"Failing in this responsibility is not an option, as it would endanger our food security, our way of life and even the physical existence of the Island."

Director of Environmental Protection Fred Ming said: "Bermuda's marine resources are the common property of us all, and their management is our joint responsibility."

Fishing expert John Barnes welcomed the report.

"Positive things are the idea of combining all the regulations, etc. which cover usage by commercial fishermen, recreational anglers, spearfishermen and lobster catchers, plus developmental impacts on the marine environment."

Recreational fisherman Colin Barnes added: "I am totally supportive of the concept of having a marine resources/fishing strategy for Bermuda and believe it is a 'must'. I applaud the initiative."

But he was "disappointed" with the content.

"The analysis of recreational fishing is completely off the mark with a number of clearly faulty facts and conclusions.

"It is also quite distressing that there is no apparent comprehension by Fisheries of the difference between 'fishing effort' and 'catch'."

Stuart Hayward, chairman of the Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce (BEST) described it as a "very strong document and an excellent start" to a complex process.

"We concur with the management of fish stocks theme. We applaud the spatial management plan with emphasis on the entire 200-mile EEZ.

"Though long overdue, this is a very good development. We support the focus on entire habitat management, not just targeted species. Hopefully, this will mean an expansion of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that could make them more effective."

Government is now asking for feedback before June 30: fisheries@gov.bm. The report can be viewed at www.gov.bm.