A lack of progress following public consultation regarding the Blue Halo initiative has director Chris Flook concerned that Government is flagging in its commitment to creating a maritime nature reserve.

More than seven months since the public consultation process was announced, Mr Flook is now circulating a petition asking local businesses to pledge their commitment to protect the outer-rim of Bermuda’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“You’ve had the public consultation — you’ve heard from the public — now we’re getting businesses to show their support,” said Mr Flook. “Hopefully that will get this going again.”

Led by the Sustainable Development Department, Government pledged last August that “a public education and public consultation exercise” would help “determine the views of the Bermudian people,” according to a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure.

“Upon consideration of those views, the Government will then determine if such a Marine Protected Area will be created, and if so, the location, size, shape and the nature of protections to be associated with it.”

“The results of the consultation are still being reviewed and will be going to Cabinet soon,” said a spokeswoman for the Ministry of the Environment.

The Bermuda Blue Halo project, announced in January last year, proposes turning a large portion of Bermuda’s EEZ into a marine reserve.

Supporters of the plan, including oceanographer Sylvia Earle and conservationist Phillipe Cousteau, have said that in addition to protecting the marine environment the Blue Halo could help improve tourism and the local economy.

But Mr Flook fears political agendas may be getting in the way of a project he said has widespread public support and could be “a win-win” for those that push it through.

“The big fear is that this is going to get stalled because of behind-the-scenes politics. I really hope that’s not the case.

“They’ve got the public’s support, they’ve done the consultation, they’ve gone through the process. They actually said on their party platform: ‘Support the Blue Halo initiative.’ It seems ridiculous they would stall on this,” Mr Flook said yesterday.