Government Minister Terry Lister has claimed foreigners are using legal loopholes to grab housing ahead of Bermudians.

And he hinted that environmental concerns would end moves toward mega-cruise ships visiting Bermuda.

The Minister for Environment, Development & Opportunity told an environmental conference at Bermuda College yesterday: "In 1926, Bermuda had the foresight to enact legislation to control the acquisition of land and property by foreigners and to restrict foreign ownership to a maximum of 2,000 acres.

"Today, the same restrictions are in place. However, these policies are tending to be undermined by legal loopholes and a recent trend favouring the development of condominiums for non-Bermudians to help revive the tourism industry.

"As a consequence, it is argued, disproportionate resources are being devoted to the non-Bermudian housing market."

He said every new company setting up in Bermuda had to rely on overseas workers for at least half of its workforce.

"Every new work permit adds to the pressure on the local housing market; increases the competition for school places; adds a car and a motor cycle to our crowded roads; increases the pressure to build on open space; and tends to aggravate the tension between locals and foreigners that can exist in small, crowded communities.

"There are currently a staggering 89 different nationalities represented in the workforce of this tiny Island."

He said increased investment in education and training would help reduce reliance on imported labour by identifying new opportunities for Bermudians in job categories held by contract workers.

"We are in the final phases of a $200 million investment programme in Bermuda's education system, its plant and facilities."

And Mr. Lister said Bermuda's aquatic life was under threat.

He said: "Today, the threat to Bermuda's marine environment has as much to do with cruise ships as fishermen -- particularly in light of the disturbing trend towards larger and larger cruise ships.

"The potential impact of the ships themselves, of the civil works required to accommodate the ships, and the impact on services and facilities of so many passengers, are major issues that must be thoroughly examined before we make any commitments.

"Details of Government's marine resources management plan will be published in a White Paper later this year. I fully expect the paper to recommend that we resist the move towards super liners."

He said Bermuda must fight over-development. He said: "Over the last 30 years, Bermuda has experienced unprecedented rates of growth and development, including:

an 18% increase in population;

a 28% increase in employment;

a 55% increase in the housing stock: and

double the number of private cars since 1970.

He added: "Land price inflation and housing costs, congestion, noise, overcrowding, crime and a deterioration in social conditions are just some of environmental costs that are outweighing the benefits of growth, apart from the more tangible loss of trees and open space.

"Today, widespread development has relegated ten of the Island's endemic plants to the status of endangered, extinct in the wild or rare.

"The loss of natural habitat accounts for the declining population of endemic skink. Frogs, toads and land crabs are conspicuous by their absence.

"I am pleased to report that two key conservation projects are well underway."

He said the $2 million Bermuda Biodiversity Study has produced the first comprehensive information and management system for all of the Island's natural resources while the recently-released Country Study had identified the most critical issues facing conservation.

A State of the Environment Report will be produced by the end of this year, said Mr. Lister, to present a comprehensive overview of Bermuda's environmental condition.