Marine Consultation Document Is Released
Today [Sept 3] the Minister of Environment and Planning, Sylvan Richards announced the release of the consultation document “Bermuda’s Exclusive Economic Zone and Its Future.”
This document serves as a tool to inform and assist the public in better understanding the issues and implications of whether or not a marine reserve should be established in the offshore waters of our Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ]. A wide range of issues associated with 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 also includes information on how Bermudians can participate in this process, the options available from which to choose and how you can obtain more information on this topical issue.
Minister Richards had previously indicated in a June Ministerial Statement, his intention to take this important step, advising that, “The Government is seeking to discover the views of the wider community on the proposal to establish a marine reserve in our Exclusive Economic Zone, or EEZ.”
A spokesperson 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 Exclusive Economic Zone, 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.
“Currently, our Exclusive Economic Zone is an important asset that is supporting our tourism, valuable commercial fisheries, and our way of life. Most activities in our waters such as fishing, snorkeling, etc. normally take place close to shore. This consultation is concerned with the use and activity in the offshore waters of the EEZ, rather than the near shore waters.
“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, whether at the surface, on the bottom or in the middle. A “no-take” marine reserve therefore means no fishing, no seabed mining, etc.”
Minister Richards said, “Many people have an interest and a view and some have chosen to express their views and share them with the public. Some have even suggested a name and size for a protected area within our EEZ. Despite the strong interest shown to date by local and international organizations, this consultation process is open to all of Bermuda’s residents and the Ministry is particularly interested in hearing from our younger generations as they will likely inherit the responsibility for the decision that will be made.
“This government values the input of Bermudians and given the significance of this matter, particularly as it relates to our long-term sustainability, our full due diligence is required. Additionally, it is expected that overseas stakeholders will participate and respond to the invitation to share their views. This Government wishes to ensure that all are given an opportunity to be heard before a decision is taken.
“We are not entering this process with a pre-determined outcome in mind. Rather, the public is being 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?’. Respondents are encouraged to support their position, and that support will form a critical part of the overall evaluation.”
A series of radio, television and print commercials along with public meetings will serve to educate the public on this asset and encourage all to be a part of this decision. The consultation document as well as a two page summary will be made available at the office of the Sustainable Development Department [31 Reid Street, Hamilton HM 12], at other key Government locations including the library and a number of post offices, and online here.
A variety of methods will ensure that a wide-ranging set of responses is obtained. These include: electronic postings, an electronic questionnaire, a two-page mail out to a sample of residents, print and radio advertising, focus groups, stakeholder consultations, school presentations, public meetings and an educational video. All responses must be returned to the Sustainable Development Department by October 31, 2013.
The Consultation Document follow below [PDF Here]
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Articles that link to this one:
- Government’s Marine Reserve Proposal FAQ | Bernews.com | September 17, 2013
- Opinion Column On Future Of Marine EEZ Area | Bernews.com | October 21, 2013
- Future Of Marine EEZ ‘Community Conversation’ | Bernews.com | October 25, 2013
Please show your support for creating a large marine reserve within our Exclusive Economic Zone.
This. If properly maintained, our reef system and surrounding oceans can bring in a substantial amount in tourist dollars as a marine park.
A fish is worth tons more alive than on a plate.
Are you a vegan? Smh
There is no doubt that top predators on the reef are more valuable to us alive than dead. Eco-tourism, including snorkeling and scuba diving, generates millions of dollars in revenue for the industry. My friends fly to Bermuda and pay a premium to dive and see life on the reef. Local divers pay for gear, certification, dive operators, etc, and spend time sightseeing our local reefs to see life on the reef.
But there are other important reasons to promote ocean conservation beyond economics. If you remove top predators, such as the grouper and shark, you change the structure of the ecosystem. The change can be dramatic and sometimes irreversible.
Yes, there are other issues including the lionfish invasion that you should know about by now. We have lionfish in our waters, potentially the most serious threat to our reef ever. They eat all our baby fish, have venomous spines and no natural predators besides man. What would you have the community do? Lay down and do nothing? No. There’s a control plan in place and nearly two dozen organizations make up a Taskforce and we are all doing our best to try and keep their numbers in check. Some organizations are working hard to raise awareness while others are actually putting on dive gear and combing our reef on our time spearing them one by one so that our children can enjoy the same diversity we see today in the future.
We have a marine debris problem with plastic pollution. You cannot walk a beach without navigating around trash or scoop up a handful of sand completely free of small plastic confetti, cigarette butts or plastic bottle caps. As a community, what do we do? Ignore it, hope it goes away and do nothing? No. There is another Taskforce made up of many organizations and individuals that are actively identifying and removing debris from our beaches all the time. Plastic in our ocean is a huge, huge problem.
Will we wake up one day and find all the lionfish and invasive species gone and all the plastic pollution and marine debris out of the ocean and off our beaches? No. Can we lay down and do nothing despite the size and scope of the tasks realizing that there is no end and we’ll be hunting lionfish and potentially picking up plastic from the beaches forever? No. We have to do something.
I, for one, will not witness the destruction and collapse of our ecosystem and when my kids grow up and see what was done ON OUR WATCH tell them I did nothing and was too busy to care. Some of you might be okay with that. Not me.
Weldon Wade
This is a fantastic idea! With the vast amounts of over fishing currently going on all over the world, this is an excellent opportunity for Bermuda to lead by example and contribute towards protecting our already diminishing oceans. Make the protected area as big as possible and take a pro-active approach to cleaning up plastic and debris from the beaches, which is getting worse. Fine people for throwing and leaving litter behind. Make Bermuda the ECO and sustainable destination it really could and should be.
Bermudians have always had respect for the ocean and how it aids in our quality of life. Bermudians have also been the leaders in marine management starting back in the day when the island was first discovered. Lets show the world that we are still leaders and use this opportunity to create the largest marine reserve on the planet.
Please do not support pew or the blue halo project. Global protectionist focused on robbing people of the ability to make a living, AND robbing countries of potential economic wealth. And no, it not true……such a halo will do nothing for tourism. Our water based business persons take care of that for us. 50 to 200 nm is just deep blue ocean, so stop the lies and deceit FFS! I like the idea of Nick Hutchinson, David Saul, and Marc Bean, not these environmentalist hitmen!
There’s always one.
Not one for calling fellow posters names but CC you’re a dingle berry………..a shinning example of why our environment is in the mess it is in today i.e. yours is a short sighted, fact-less opinion based on blind ignorance and emotion!
Read the Government’s consultation document, that of the Blue Halo and the Sargasso Sea Alliance before spouting off such hyperbole!
The 50 to 200nm you claim is just deep blue ocean makes up an important part of the Sargasso Sea!
Educate yourself ‘FFS’!
There is nothing to stop these gentlemen from pursuing their ideas now or any time in the past. The reason they haven’t is very simple. Ask yourself what motivates each group of people you have described, then label your hitmen. All of this is just noise to confuse the public.
Besides you can always go “look” for minerals and shipwrecks under a research permit. Then IF something amazing is found you can, as a nation, decide how to exploit it beneficially.
It’s difficult to understand what you are saying. This incentive protects fish and other marine life, which in turn sustains the fishing industry, and prevents rouge countries coming to Bermuda waters and taking all our fish stocks back home with them! People can still make a living as most fishermen fish relatively close to the island which is excluded from the zone. WIN WIN situation!
@Concerned Citizen, care to share what you know of the idea Nick Hutchings (not Hutchinson), David Saul and Mark Bean have proposed?
How will they police this? They can’t even stop cruise ship workers from taking undersized snappers all over the rocks! When’s the last time you heard of a fisherman being caught with more then 1 rock fish in his boat? Certain fisherman do it almost everyday! Fisheries knows who they are but can’t catch them!
How can you police all that ocean and not control the shoreline?
Hmmmmm, a bit late but worth a try to recover. Overfishing, & now the lion fish have reduced the reef fish to a fraction of what they used to be. There are fishermen who will take & take till there is nothing left to take. There are snorkel businesses that have used the same areas year after year after year. At low tide people are able to stand on the reefs & have destroyed them. Areas like Kings Point, Mangrove Bay were once great snorkel sites. Now they are marine desserts from overuse.
While I think protecting those waters is a good idea I also think it is not one that Bermuda government has the right to make. As that is a task that Bermuda defense units in there current states cannot manage. Seeing how Bermuda is so heavily reliant on the United States Coast Guard to do the easy marine task as flying over 1000 miles from America to save people closer to Bermudas jurisdiction, how do they plan on stopping people that decide to disobey this new order. The regiment and customs don’t have the manpower or boats to deal so it would leave the British military who are responsible for Bermuda to reevaluate their patrols in the Caribbean to stay closer to Bermuda in case of any incident. So in all I think Bermudians should vote on it but Bermuda government aren’t really the ones that should act on it. It’s like having a little brother start a fight and he know he can’t win but he knows his big brother would have to clean up his mess.
I doubt foreign navies would make specific patrols looking for a longline boat, but if they are in the area and see something, then they can take action or just a photo and it can be brought before the international courts and the vessel seized at it’s next port of call. The owners would be liable for whatever fines are put in place.
Of course, we could always get a spy drone.
Please keep an open mind as you read this document and begin to formulate an opinion. I encourage everyone to educate themselves as much as possible on the truth of the matter not the noise. This is a pivotal point for Bermuda and Bermudians to come together and do something good for the next generation, no matter what the decision is it must benefit the future generations. This will make a hugely positive statement to the world about what Bermuda and its people are really about and will attract more than just tourism money.
Maybe our discouraged Fisheries Wardens will fiinally get some “teeth” and the support they deserve. FFS For Fish Sakes
@Seriola,
Hear Hear Bill, sadly I doubt it as it seems the Fisheries Wardens role is just to ‘Show the Flag’and maybe scare some recreational fishermen as I don’t know any Fishermen who worry about seeing them pull up alongside.
Sadly I don’t see much changing unless the boards make ups are changed to include more input from other ‘stakeholders, failing that its likely to be more of the same.