A former marine official has expressed "grave concerns'' about former fisherman Danny Farias heading up the new Marine Resources Board, claiming the appointment was "political payback''.

Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson announced Mr. Farias' appointment as the new chairman in a press conference last week. See Page 6.

Mr. Farias, a PLP candidate in November's General Election, lost a four-year legal battle in 1994 against the Environment Ministry claiming that the ban of fish pots flouted Bermuda's Constitution.

He launched the legal battle shortly after a $2,000 fine was meted out to him in Magistrates' Court in 1991 after he was convicted of possessing and using fish pots two months after the ban was instituted.

When informed of the Board announcement, former Marine Resources Board member and former chair of the National Trust's Marine Environmental Committee Stephen Cook said he had "serious reservations'' about Mr. Farias' new position.

"I see political payback here.. .Danny is a white Portuguese man who is a prominent supporter of the BIU and the PLP, and he's built up quite a considerable political credit and I'm concerned about how that political credit will be remunerated,'' he said.

"I'm not suggesting he's corrupt because I believe Danny is a sincere and well-meaning man -- I just believe he's wrong,'' he added.

"His appointment causes me grave concern because I don't know whether that will lead to re-permitting fish pots on the platform.

Mr. Cook said he believed the fish pot ban had already begun to help repopulate Bermuda's fishing waters.

He noted that as a recreational diver, he has seen an increase in the numbers of reef fish such as parrot fish and butterfly fish.

"The ban of the pots actually seems to be working -- but although I'm not an expert, I have a feeling the grouper have mostly been fished out.

"Whenever Danny has talked about (the depletion of Bermuda's fish stock) he spoke as if it was a matter of fault -- and has suggested that it's not the fisherman's fault, so they shouldn't have to suffer.

"But it's not a matter of fault -- the bottom line is that the fish stock is in trouble,'' he added.

The new Marine Resources Board also consists of: Bill Andrews, David Pantry, Alan Edness, Kent Simmons, James Parris, Allan Bean Jr., Romelle Warner, Wayne Carey and Robert Lambe.

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