The Government has defended its plan to ban fishing in 20 per cent of Bermuda’s waters, claiming it had made “every effort” to reach a compromise with fishermen opposed to the move.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has been at loggerheads with the Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda over its proposed Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme after it was unveiled last year.

Under the plan, 20 per cent of waters within the exclusive economic zone will be designated fishing-free zones — something the FAB claims is excessive.

After months of negotiations between the two sides, the FAB announced last week that it was withdrawing from further talks because it could not support a memorandum of understanding put forward by the Government.

A FAB spokesman said that the decision to ban fishing in designated areas had been made “at the inception” of the BOPP before any consultation with stakeholders.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Home Affairs denied that allegation yesterday.

The spokesman said: “The FAB themselves drafted and provided the ministry with a memorandum of understanding and the Government fully supported and committed to it in an effort for them to rejoin the process. Furthermore, the Government met all obligations outlined in the FAB’s MOU.

“It is most disappointing that despite the Ministry of Home Affairs making every effort to fulfil the requests made by the general membership of the FAB to finalise an MOU and proceed to work together to protect Bermuda's waters, they have chosen to withdraw their support and not participate in the process.

“The ministry has complete confidence in the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme process, their work thus far, and the work that the hard-working team at the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources do to protect our environment. However, despite our best effort, the FAB has again withdrawn its support.

“And so, despite this turn of events, in the interest of the people of Bermuda, it is the Government's role and responsibility to ensure the sustainable use and protection of our most valuable asset for current and future generations of Bermudians.

“To that end, the Government remains committed to an integrated strategy to enhance the management of the island's entire exclusive economic zone through improved management, enforcement and legislation and the process will continue unabated.

“Members of the fishing community remain welcome to participate and we will proceed with the BOPP process and come to a fair solution that will benefit the fishermen, other key stakeholders and the people of Bermuda.”