The Minister of Public Works and Environment says input from the fishing industry will be key to the implementation of marine protection areas for the island.

Jaché Adams said a pause on establishing the conservation areas would allow the Government to reflect on the balance between environmental stewardship and economic sustainability, along with enabling extra consultation.

Mr Adams said yesterday that stakeholder engagement had already led to revisions of the marine-protected area network under the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Plan.

As part of its legislative agenda, the Government said marine protection plans would not go ahead until an agreement could be reached with the island’s fishermen on better enforcement and fairer data collection rules.

Mr Adams said: “The voices of our local fishermen must be heard in these discussions.

“Their livelihoods depend on the ocean and any policies governing its use must be both fair and enforceable.

“This work is not just about protecting fish stocks. It is also about strengthening our resilience to climate change, maintaining biodiversity and securing the long-term health of our ocean-based industries.”

A formal meeting with fishermen is planned for April and Mr Adams said the ministry would join the discussions.

He said the ministry would work closely with scientists and industry representatives to develop a plan that reflected “both science and the local experience”.

He added: “Final proposals will be guided by the input of our people and will undergo additional public consultations for submission to the Cabinet.

“Each of these initiatives reflects the Government’s broader goal of ensuring that Bermuda remains fair, stable and an affordable place to live.”

While he has held informal conversations with fishermen, Mr Adams said the ministry’s team was in the early stages of organising more formal meetings.

The Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme, drawn up in a partnership between the Government, the Waitt Institute and the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, announced sweeping plans in 2022 to safeguard the island's marine resources.

The programme involved the development of a Marine Spatial Plan to balance economic activity, environmental conservation and cultural preservation.

Under that plan, 20 per cent of the island’s waters were to be designated fishing-free zones — a move that angered many in the fishing community.

Last November, the island’s fishermen welcomed the findings of an independent panel set up to review feedback on the ocean management plans.

The Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda applauded the efforts of Walter Roban, the former Minister of Home Affairs, who appointed the panel.

The panel was set up last May to analyse public submissions to the Blue Prosperity Plan — a key component of BOPP — which proposes developing ocean-based industries while conserving Bermuda’s marine habitat.