A split between the Government and the island’s fishermen over a conservation and management plan for Bermuda waters came down to “just one proposed point”, the Ministry of Home Affairs has said.

The comment came after the Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda quit talks for the proposed Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme.

Water Roban, the minister, spoke with FAB president Allan Bean on Monday evening after the FAB withdrew from talks, in the hope of meeting again with the association’s executive board.

The group singled out the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for criticism on regulating Bermuda’s fisheries, saying DENR had relied on bureaucracy instead of meaningful enforcement.

The ministry responded that it had worked with the FAB on its proposed 18-point memorandum of understanding.

One item had proved a sticking point, but the ministry said communication had been “constant”.

“We had hoped the Fishermen's Association of Bermuda would have more confidence in the minister, ministry and the negotiation process.

"Unfortunately, the FAB executive are also not confident in the BOPP process, which has engaged in multiple consultations.“

The ministry insisted fishermen had not been excluded in drafting the proposal.

“DENR continues working on resolutions to address issues within Bermuda's fishing industry, particularly those areas of enforcement, by participating in the Blue Belt Ocean Shield programme and partnering with the Bermuda Coastguard and the US Coast Guard.”

The ministry said the monitoring programmes addressed many of the fishing community’s concerns but that FAB’s executive “continues to hold DENR responsible for problems in the fishing industry”.

Plans to boost enforcement had been shared with the association’s heads, the statement added.

The ministry expressed “complete confidence in the BOPP process, their work thus far, and the hardworking team at DENR”.

“However, despite our best effort, the FAB has decided publicly that they no longer want to participate in our meetings.

“We will continue with the BOPP process and come to a fair solution that will benefit the fishermen, other key stakeholders and the people of Bermuda.”