Bermudians have more of a “seek forgiveness rather than permission” attitude when it comes to Bermuda’s protected species.Senators yesterday expressed their concerns that residents were continuing to flatten preserved woodland and fish for eagle rays from Flatts Bridge.They agreed that Islanders were helping to destroy the environment as they unanimously passed the Protected Species Amendment Act.The new law brings in increased fines of up to $25,000 to better protect plants and animals that need special help to survive.It amends an eight-year-old law, which already protects Bermuda’s most threatened plants and animals, including the national bird the cahow, the Bermuda skink and the spotted eagle ray. There are now three different categories of plants and animals instead of just one.Independent Senator Walwyn Hughes said it was “an issue very dear to my heart” but said the challenge would be enforcing the new law.He said children were growing up knowing the importance of Bermuda’s plants and animals, explaining that it was the adults “getting us into trouble”.Senator Hughes said: “It’s a question of education as people by and large don’t know what protected species are.“It’s often a case of seeking forgiveness rather than permission. They may be sorry to see it happen, but it just goes on and on.“We have to get to these adults to educate them.”Opposition Senator Michael Fahy, who is Shadow Environment Minister, said it was becoming even more important to preserve “beautiful Bermuda” as more and more homes were being built.Sen Fahy added that it was also important for enforcement officers to have “the tools they require to assist with prosecutions”.Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley added that Bermuda was “facing an uphill battle against development”. He said: “Bermuda is a jewel in the middle of the Atlantic and we need to do all we can to promote and protect it.”Government Senate Leader Kim Wilson called the Department of Conservation Services “the most important department Government has”.She added that parents also had a responsibility to promote the importance of the environment to their children.Government Senator Vince Ingham, who introduced the bill to the Senate, said officers from Conservation Services, Environmental Protection and Parks would enforce the legislation.