Fishing banned in breeding area of blue-striped grunt
No fishing will be permitted in an area off the north-east coast for two months, the Ministry of Public Works and Environment announced.
A spokesman said the ban, which has been in place for several years, will run from May 1 until June 30 to protect the blue-striped grunt during its spawning period.
The fish are found in reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, from Bermuda and South Carolina down to Brazilian waters.
The spokesman said: “This fisheries management helps maintain healthy blue-striped grunt population levels and supports long-term sustainability of Bermuda’s nearshore marine ecosystems.
“The closure applies to all types of fishing within a roughly rectangular zone stretching from St Catherine’s Point to Fort George, and bordering the Southern Channel.”
He added: “This action reflects the need to balance human activity with responsible marine resource management.”
Official maps can be checked or the Department of Environment and Natural Resources can be contacted for specific co-ordinates.
• To see the outlined protection area, see Related Media
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