Tycoon Sir Richard Branson is backing a proposal to turn Bermuda’s waters into a protected “no-take” marine reserve.

And the Virgin Airlines owner claims that Bermudians now have “a singular opportunity to demonstrate far-sighted global leadership and establish a meaningful and lasting legacy within their own waters”.

The Exclusive Economic Zone, which covers an area of ocean within a 200-mile radius of the Island, was granted to Bermuda in June 1996, but environmentalists have clashed with developers over how the zone should be used.

Supporters of the Blue Halo project argue that, while some commercial fishing could take place within an inner ring, the majority of the zone must be completely protected from any commercial activity. That proposal has come under fire from others who claim the sea bed could be mined for rich mineral deposits potentially worth billions of dollars.

In an open letter to the people of Bermuda, Sir Richard has now come out in support of the environmentalists

“Your country has a historic opportunity to establish the largest marine protected area in the Atlantic Ocean — a protected zone larger than Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Marine Park,” he wrote.

“This opportunity comes at a time when the world’s oceans are in real trouble from overfishing, climate change, ocean acidification, dead zones, noise and chemical pollution, and destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling. The citizens of Bermuda have a singular opportunity to demonstrate far-sighted global leadership and establish a meaningful and lasting legacy within their own waters.”

The entrepreneur highlighted the “highly diverse community of invertebrates, fish, mammals and birds” found in the zone, before adding: “Bermuda’s opportunity is particularly unique given it is the only island in the Sargasso Sea. A Bermuda marine reserve that begins just beyond where your local fishing stops, a blue halo, will put the Island on the map not only for protecting a large and biologically significant marine area, but also for confirming your global leadership in safeguarding a significant part of the world’s ocean.

“Bermuda has a long history of conservation leadership dating back nearly 400 years when Cahows and sea turtles were given protective status. Continuing this legacy requires bold and decisive action today by establishing the largest reserve possible, thereby cementing Bermuda’s stature in marine conservation history.

“The benefits of creating one of the largest fully protected marine reserves in the world would be immense. Along with the significant international recognition that would result from your leadership, you would be safeguarding Bermuda’s waters for future generations, creating a living marine laboratory for scientific research, strengthening the Island’s resilience to climate change, and bolstering Bermuda’s economy by ensuring a lucrative and sustainable tourism industry for generations to come.

“I look forward to the establishment of the Bermuda Blue Halo and to celebrating its achievement with you.”