15 Yr Plan for Sustainable Fisheries & Marine

The Marine Resources Section of the Department of Environmental Protection released a 15 year strategic plan for the management of Bermuda’s fisheries and wider marine environment today [Apr 13]. You can download the entire 29 page Fisheries Strategy here [PDF]

They say the strategic plan builds on the principles outlined in the 2005 White Paper on the Marine Environment and Fishing Industry in Bermuda. The aim is to encourage a sustainable and economically viable fishing industry, promote healthy marine ecosystems, and ensure that the interests of all those who have a stake in the marine environment are represented.

The report covers various aspects including management of fish stocks, commercial fishery, and the non-commercial sectors, as well as investigating new harvest opportunities and methods of increasing local seafood production through aquaculture.

Photo of a Bermuda reef by Thad Murdoch courtesy of the Bermudabream blog

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The strategy follows four lines of approach:

• 1. Co-ordinated management approaches, supported by research, will address all aspects of resource extraction and are presented in such a way as to build up from the management of individual species through the management of different fishery sectors. Spatial planning principles will help ensure the sustainable management of the wider marine ecosystem.

• 2. Diversification of the local seafood market and improved food security will be pursued through the investigation of new harvest opportunities and the promotion of aquaculture activities.

• 3. More efficient post-harvest handling of seafood products will be conducted through a new Shoreside Facility. Adding to the value of harvested products will be promoted as a way of improving the profitability of commercial fishing without increasing harvest levels.

• 4. Enhancing legislation, policy, enforcement capacity and outreach activities will support management measures.

Director of Environmental Protection Dr. Fred Ming said:

We need to manage our resources sustainably to protect our way of life. Both commercial and recreational fishing are an important part of Bermuda’s culture, as well as contributing to our food security. There is also growing interest in other uses of the marine environment, including marine tourism, boating and underwater sports. The increasing, and sometimes conflicting, demands of different user groups and stakeholders require a coherent strategy to direct the long-term management of Bermuda’s marine resources.

Bermuda’s marine resources are the common property of us all, and their management is our joint responsibility. Therefore, the Department of Environmental Protection invites all members of the community to examine the Strategy document, provide feedback on its content, and commit to participation in the initiatives that seek to involve the numerous and varied stakeholders in our marine environment.

While the strategy details plans for managing Bermuda’s marine resources, the Department says it also aims to change the public mindset regarding the sustainable use of our marine environment.

Staff from the Marine Resources Section will have a booth at the Annual Exhibition over the next three days so that members of the public can find out more about the strategy.

You can download the entire 29 page Fisheries Strategy here [PDF]

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Category: All, Environment, News