save the local fishing industry.

Fisheries officials and some local fishermen are waiting for results of the experimental vessel Anna C which is fishing off the Island.

And they are still a little confused by the controversy that has arisen over the Government's decision to allow Ignis Foods to use the boat in local waters.

Some fishermen and Opposition politicians are furious that foreigners are being allowed to take local fish supplies.

But Government hopes the experiment will produce the opposite effect, opening the way for local fishermen to get involved in the long-line industry, and deterring illegal intrusions by foreign boats.

Long-lining has proved to be a lucrative move for many fishermen fishing off the United States. New techniques have helped them build a multi-million dollar industry grabbing huge profits from catches of blue and yellow finned tuna and swordfish.

The major market for the fish cuts is Japan, because a lot of the fish caught supplies the massive sushi market.

Possibilities are huge with the highest price ever paid for an Atlantic bluefin tuna, $67,500 at a fish market in Tokyo. That is around $94.40 per pound.

Prices are nowhere that high normally and a Bermudian fisherman would be looking to make $3 a pound for his catch all year round.

Bermuda's Director of Fisheries, Mr. John Barnes said: "It could be lucrative but the economics are real complex. It all depends on whether you can constantly catch fish.

"Look at high seas operations like the Japanese, the Koreans and the Taiwanese who are out for months. It is difficult to see Bermudians changing their lifestyles. A Bermuda boat may have find itself going out to the central Atlantic.

"Of course, they may find they do not have to go further afield and it could prove to be a six-month operation.'' Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Dr. James Burnett-Herkes said: "The research is being carried out to see if long-line fishing can be established in Bermuda.

"The way we have done this using the Anna C will provide first-hand information about whether this type of fishing is suitable for Bermuda.'' Dr. Burnett-Herkes said long-line fishing could take place close to Bermuda, which means anything up to 300 miles offshore. He pointed out that this would be a vast change to the lifestyles of Bermudian fishermen who tend to go out every day.

He said local fishermen might be jumping the gun by hoping this type of fishing would save the local industry before the experiment was finished or before looking into any major investment.

And then there will be the problems of finding a market for their catch, which has been partially helped by Ignis offering its support.

Expressing surprise at recent comments against the arrival of the Anna C , Dr.

Burnett-Herkes said that the boat would offer "hands on experience'' for local fishermen who had accepted the invitation to sail on her during the experiment.

He said: "People are saying they are going out just as observers, but that is not possible. They will not just stand by and watch, they will be expected to help out. So they will learn first hand how to use some of the equipment.

"It is a very exciting project and we need to search to see if we can find other ways of improving the fishing industry.'' Mr. Barnes said boats offshore for long periods would also help to stop certain boats fishing illegally in Bermuda's waters.

This has been a problem in the past with boats travelling out for single days and the Government being unable to keep a watch on large areas of the local waters.

He said: "If people have a vested interest in the fishing grounds they will obviously report anything illegal.'' Mr. Barnes said the problem has not always been that Taiwanese fishermen wanted to fish in the area unlicensed. He said they had been licensed for many years without entering local waters because they had to follow the fish.

Dr. Burnett-Herkes said: "If we do encourage long-line fishing in local waters then it may prevent our need to give out licences to other countries' fishermen.''