Proposal To Establish Marine Reserve In EEZ

June 7, 2013

Government will conduct a public consultation to hear the community’s views on a proposal to establish a marine reserve in our Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ], Minister of Environment & Planning Sylvan Richards said in the House of Assembly this morning [June 7].

Our EEZ is a circle with a 200 nautical mile radius that covers approximately 465,000 square kilometres of ocean

Minister Richards said, “Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Bermuda has special rights over the exploration and use of the natural resources within our EEZ, including managing and conserving those resources..

“The Government will consider establishing a Marine Reserve within our EEZ,” continued the Minister. “It is important to note that the term ‘marine reserve’ indicates a ‘no-take’ zone with a prohibition on all extraction from any component of the reserve.

“A ‘no-take’ marine reserve therefore means no fishing, no seabed mining, etc. The public consultation will assist the Government in determining whether or not there should be a ‘no-take’ marine reserve, and if so, the size, shape, and location of that zone.”

Minister Richards said that some would advocate for the largest “no-take” zone possible, while other groups such as fishermen may feel differently.

The consultation period is set to commence before the end of July and will run for at least two months with various methodologies being employed.

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Mr. Speaker

I rise today to inform this Honourable House of this Government’s plans to conduct a public consultation to ascertain the views of the wider community on a proposal to establish a marine reserve in our Exclusive Economic Zone, or EEZ. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Bermuda has special rights over the exploration and use of the natural resources within our EEZ, including managing and conserving those resources. Our EEZ is essentially a circle with a 200 nautical mile radius that covers approximately 465,000 square kilometres of ocean.

Mr. Speaker

Bermuda is recognized internationally as a leader in efforts to study and protect the world’s oceans. You would be aware that the Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences is recognized worldwide for its research and education programmes. You would also be aware that the Sargasso Sea Alliance, an initiative led by the Bermuda Government, is working to establish a means to protect High Seas in Areas Beyond National Jurisdictions, or ABNJs. The Executive Committee of the Alliance has just been granted the 2013 SeaKeeper Award by the International SeaKeepers Society in recognition of its efforts to protect the Sargasso Sea. It is the hope of the Alliance that the methods determined for the Sargasso Sea will be utilized for other ABNJs.

Mr. Speaker

The Government of Bermuda understands that its efforts to encourage others to join it in this global effort would be significantly enhanced by continuing to demonstrate our commitment to protecting our own waters. To this end, the Government will consider establishing a Marine Reserve within our EEZ. It is important to note that the term “marine reserve” indicates a “no-take” zone with a prohibition on all extraction from any component of the reserve. A “no-take” marine reserve therefore means no fishing, no seabed mining, etc. The public consultation will assist the Government in determining whether or not there should be a “no-take” marine reserve, and if so, the size, shape, and location of that zone.

The public consultation would be designed to garner the views of all individuals and groups who have an interest in the future use of our EEZ. For example, Mr. Speaker, some would advocate for the largest “no-take” zone possible. You have probably seen promotions for what has been described as the “Bermuda Blue Halo” in this regard. Such is the importance of this effort that even a US based organization, the Pew Environment Group, are actively seeking to educate and advocate for the benefits to be realized from establishing the largest possible “no-take” zone.

On the other hand, Mr. Speaker, other groups, such as the Billfishers who visit us annually to enjoy game fishing, and in so doing contribute millions of dollars into our economy, are keen to ensure that they are able to continue this activity in Bermuda.

Closer to home, there are organizations interested in exploring the potential for revenue from seabed mining. Our fisherman would want to ensure that they can retain their livelihood. Recreational boaters would want to ensure that they are able to enjoy a day on the water, and be able to throw a line overboard.

As you can see, Mr. Speaker, there are many groups and individuals who have an interest in the decision to be made. This Government wishes to ensure that each of these voices is given an opportunity to be heard before a decision is taken.

Mr. Speaker

In order to help the public make an informed response to the public consultation, the process we envision would include an educational component. The benefits and costs of establishing a marine reserve have been evaluated by experts in economics, science and our cultural history. Their findings are summarized in a Consultation Document, which will be widely distributed. In addition, a two page summary will also be made available to the public as it is anticipated that there will be interest in varying levels of detail. We anticipate that all reports would be available at the office of the Sustainable Development Department, at other key Government locations including the library and a number of post offices, and online at www.sdbermuda.bm.

The consultation period is set to commence before the end of July, 2013 and will run for at least two months. Various methodologies will be employed to ensure that a wide-ranging set of responses is obtained. These methods will include: electronic postings, an electronic questionnaire, a two-page mail out to residents, print and radio advertising, focus groups, stakeholder consultations, school presentations, public meetings and an educational video.

Mr. Speaker

In seeking a balanced public response, it is critical to engage as many residents as possible to provide input to Cabinet on how best to proceed with this national asset, with due consideration for current and future generations. In order to ensure that a comprehensive and unbiased set of responses is obtained, it is imperative that we seek information without holding a preconceived position. Therefore the Government is not entering this process with a pre-determined outcome in mind. Respondents will be asked to select one of five options to the question “Do you think a marine reserve should be established in the offshore waters of Bermuda’s Exclusive Economic Zone?” The responses to the consultation will be carefully considered. I should add that it will not be as simple as counting the number of votes for each option presented. Respondents will be encouraged to support their position, and those arguments will form a critical part of the overall evaluation.

To foster the objectivity of the process, the Sustainable Development Department will oversee the consultation process using as its guideline the “Code of Practice on Consultation”.

Mr. Speaker

I would like to encourage all of Bermuda to participate in the public consultation and to voice their opinion on how Bermuda should manage this most important national asset, both for today, and for future generations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker

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Comments (7)

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  1. fred says:

    …And who’s going to patrol and protect this 465,000 square kilometers and at WHAT expense to us the public. You know you people got voted in because Bermudians were tired of the waste of our tax dollars and now you bunch are proposing to waste money on just similar waste… fools! You guys need be get voted out !!!!!!!!

    • Time Shall Tell says:

      But who do you plan to vote in their place??? Bermuda seriously needs an entire political revamp of how our whole political scene is formed.

    • Truth (Original) says:

      Protecting our marine life for future generations is not a waste. Its an imperative. You’re shortsightedness is shocking.

  2. George says:

    I hear the US might have some drones going cheap in a few months once congress start investigating there US domestic use – sure we don’t need the armed versions so might be able to pick them up cheap to do the surveillance of the 465,000 square kms.

    Hear brother Bean is needing to put his pilot’s license to some good use as well – might be able to pick him up for cheap too!

  3. Grubster says:

    Check out Blue Halo

    • Arnold ( Bigs) Smith says:

      lets look on the positive side …we create our own coast guard to protect our waters … then we set up our fishing industry from shore to 200 miles …then we set up our fishing plant to sell fish locally and overseas…then we carry out scientific studies of all types up to our 200 miles…this then goes on to salvage operations ( dives ) of all the ships & planes up to our 200 miles … this then rolls into tourism…
      please my fellow Bermudians look at the possibilities…just imagine the amount of jobs this could create…

  4. pwndwg says:

    We don’t need to spend millions on a coastguard or predator drones. Radar fixes from Harbour Radio and photographs from satellites, passing ships (BDA fishermen, Biostation vessels, cruise ships etc.) or small inexpensive remote controlled planes or balloons could provide all the evidence needed for the US Coastguard, US Navy, Royal Navy or any passing NATO vessel (all of which are dying for action and PR) to seize offending ships and their cargoes. A big Taiwanese or Spanish fishing boat and cargo could be worth $100 million.