An ambitious marine use and conservation plan that sparked a standoff between the Government and many of the island’s fishermen is to balance “ecological needs and economic realities” after taking on the recommendations of an independent review.

The review found the majority of commercial fishermen who gave feedback on the Bermuda Blue Prosperity Plan were against the imposition of “no-take marine protected areas” under the proposal to protect 20 per cent of the island’s waters.

The panel also sided with feedback to the plan urging for recreational fishing licences to be imposed, with bag limits, minimum sizes and a requirement to submit catch data.

The recreational fishery was estimated to account for 30 to 50 per cent of the island’s total catch.

The seven-member group was unanimous that buy-in from commercial fishermen was “critical” to moving forward with the plan — and recommended the Government draw up a comprehensive study of the economic impact marine protected areas would have on their industry.

The panel backed a recommendation from the Bermuda National Trust for the Foot of the Lane marine area at the back of Hamilton Harbour — a crucial marine life nursery supporting mangrove habitats — get protection from shoreline and boat fishing.

The panel was appointed in May by Walter Roban, the home affairs minister, to review feedback while coming up with recommendations on protected areas and other aspects of the marine plan.

Overall, the group said it supported the core objectives of sustainable use of waters within Bermuda’s exclusive economic zone, and the protection of marine ecosystems.

Mr Roban said the recommendations would be integrated with the final marine spatial plan.

Measures to protect mangroves and their associated sea life are to be “refined in collaboration with bait fishers to address their concerns”.

The ministry will also hear more from guinea chick fishermen on the potential impact of protected areas on their industry.

Seasonal fishing bans to protect key species such as Black Grouper and Red Hind during spawning will be explored, with fishermen also highlighting illegal fishing in grouper spawning grounds by unlicensed fishermen who then sold their illicit catches without facing consequence.

The panel said it “unanimously recommends that the Bermuda Coastguard should be actively enforcing all marine legislation”.

The ministry said the draft marine resources enforcement strategy would be “updated and implemented to strengthen compliance”, adding that funding would be set aside from data collection “crucial for supporting sustainable fisheries management”.

The ministry added that a tracking system would come into force for the sale of legally caught fish.

The independent panel’s full report has been posted online via the ministry’s website.

The panel said that it “strongly recommended” a “concerted and genuine effort” to resume talks with the Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda.

The FAB has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the proposal and has occasionally walked away from talks with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Mr Roban said that there would be a phased implementation of the marine plan to “foster trust and ensure effective enforcement” — adding that the ministry had already supported that approach before establishing the panel.

“We view this as the best way to work in concert with stakeholders for any long-term success of plans for marine management,” he said.