House of Assembly members debated the 495-page Green Paper on Marine Resources and the Fishing Industry in Bermuda yesterday.

Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson praised the input of the 23 local organisations and 104 individuals who made their views known.

Working groups were set up to discuss topics raised and they will report back to the Minister.

Firm proposals in draft law, known as a White Paper, are expected in December.

Issued raised included the hot topic of fish pot bans, marine conservation and the impact of increasing number of boats and cruise ships. Fisheries specific issues included: Limiting the number of total allowable catches for heavily fished species; Penalties to be imposed for purchasing fish from an unlicensed source; Introduction of a licence to all importation of fish and any licensed fisherman who wishes to resale at the roadside must have a licence to sell imported fish; The role of the Fisheries Enforcement body should be enhanced; and Reform of the licensing and inspection system to make it more user-friendly and efficient.

A revamp of the Island's fishing industry, including a new system of licensing, was put forward by Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson yesterday (DESK ---- FRIDAY).

He suggested the licensing system should ape the taxi industry to allow them to be passed through families.

But he said fishermen would need to prove they had relevant skills such as navigation. Auctioning of licences was also being considered.

Mr. Hodgson stressed the importance of Bermuda's fishing industry, stating that although there were only 100 or so fisherman, the industry had important cultural and historical value.

Subsidies to help struggling fisherman were also a possibility said Mr.

Hodgson.

He said: "I don't usually believe we should give subsidies to businesses but it may be necessary to subsidise these businesses because they have cultural importance, just like we subsidise libraries and works of art.

"Some people want to do away with fishing and just import fish.

"The problem with that is that in the same way our fishing industry is under pressure most industries worldwide are under pressure. It would be environmentally irresponsible in a global environment.'' He explained other nations would be able to plunder Bermuda's fish even if it was banned by his Government.

"Under UN law, if you don't use it you lose it. It's simply not an option.'' Fishpots had promoted much discussion but Mr. Hodgson said he relied on the views of the fishing section of the BIU who recommended the ban stay in force unless circumstances changed.

Charter fishing boats might find themselves being regulated, said Mr. Hodgson, to ensure they didn't affect fish stocks.

Currently discrepancies between different operators made it confusing for the public to understand what they could catch on pleasure trips, said the Minister.

Mr. Hodgson also spelt out why the marine environment was particularly important for Bermuda.

He said: "In many countries the population is arranged around cities and people retreat to the hinterland.

"Bermuda has never had that type of development...the marine resources are really our hinterland.

"We have got to start limiting the number of boats.'' He praised the input from the community on the Green Paper but attacked the Government for dropping the ball in the 1980s after valuable links had been forged with fishermen a decade earlier.

He called on youngsters to get involved in environmental issues and said Bermuda College would have a role in this.

Arthur Hodgson