Video Replay: Town Hall Meeting On Marine EEZ
[Live stream over, replay available] The Department of Sustainable Development is hosting a Town Hall Meeting this evening [Oct 28] regarding the future of Bermuda’s Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ], and you can tune in live below.
Our EEZ is essentially a circle with a 200 nautical mile radius that covers approximately 465,000 square kilometres of ocean. The Government is presently hosting a consultation period to allow members of the public to give their views about its future use.
Minister of Environment and Planning Sylvan Richards will address the audience and a panel of experts will engage with the residents of Bermuda.
Panelists will include Chris Flook who will outline the case for the largest no-take marine reserve, Richard Winchell who will propose a mixed use approach, Nick Hutchings who will propose consideration of the potential economic benefits of seabed exploration and mining, and Dr. Tammy Trott who will address the current status of Government’s authority to permit various activity within the EEZ.
Update 9pm: The Town Hall has ended, and the 2 hr 16 min replay is below:
Update 10.10pm: Minister of Environment and Planning Sylvan Richards’ opening remarks follow below:
Good evening everyone, and thank you Ms. Barnett for that introduction
Let me begin by acknowledging my Parliamentary colleagues who are present with us this evening. I also wish to acknowledge the presence of the members of the Sustainable Development Department, the Sustainable Development Roundtable and the Marine Resources Board.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the future of Bermuda’s Exclusive Economic Zone should be of interest to ALL Bermudians and every one of us should be involved in helping to shape its future. As the Minister responsible for leading this national debate, I am encouraged by the turnout this evening and I am very grateful for the participation of the members of the panel for this meeting. Thank you all.
Although the commercial fishing industry is not represented on the panel tonight we are nonetheless grateful for their presence in the audience.
Since this public consultation effort began, and even prior to that, my office including myself have heard and still hear strong sentiments from a number of interested Bermudians regarding the long-term plans for the future of our EEZ. Much of the feedback I’ve received tends to fall on either side of the fence – with one side proposing that nothing more needs to be done and that any current and future use of the EEZ can continue to be controlled by Bermuda’s Government, and the other side countering that full and maximum protection of this asset should be introduced and that Bermuda should establish the largest no-take marine reserve possible. However, I would like to remind people that those are not the only two options available! What is being proposed here is not an “all or nothing” scenario!
Strong and difficult national debates should actively encourage and involve the widest possible participation of various stakeholders and this meeting tonight, as I’ve already stated, is one way to pursue that objective.
Ladies and gentlemen, for a healthy debate to occur we need to tap into our critical thinking skills and ask ourselves, ‘What are the pros and cons of the various options?’ ‘What are the long and short term benefits?’ ‘What are the economic, social and environmental considerations?’ We should be asking ourselves, ‘What data do I have?’, What information do I need to arrive at a decision?’
It is the view of this Ministry and this Government that each of you have a responsibility to ask and to receive answers to these questions.
This is why we have actively reached out to our school children and our Youth Parliamentarians and also why 2,500 households were contacted for their view. We have also utilised an electronic survey tool which has provided us with the views of over 1,000 members of the public. There will also be a series of one on one consultations with a wide range of identified stakeholders. This is why your Government is actively encouraging Bermudians to voice their opinion. Your presence here tonight is another step towards the information sharing and information gathering phase of this public consultation.
As stated, all residents are encouraged to voice their opinion. For example, there has been the suggestion that we should explore the economics, risks and benefits of seabed exploration and mining. We have also been encouraged to build on the work already done to develop an offshore long-line fishing industry.
Since taking office, I have been constantly reminded of our strong historic and cultural ties that Bermudians have with this beautiful natural resource and the scientific value of this unique body of ocean.
Ladies and gentlemen, Bermuda has long established a working relationship with our surrounding seas. We should be proud of our leadership and participation in the internationally based Sargasso Sea Alliance, which is an initiative that seeks to establish a means to protect High Seas in Areas Beyond National Jurisdictions. It seems reasonable, therefore, for us to consider how the future decisions on our EEZ can compliment that effort.
Bermuda is proudly recognized internationally as a leader in the study and protection of the world’s oceans. Many of you may know that the Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences is recognized worldwide for its research and education programmes.
The Government of Bermuda understands that its efforts to encourage others to join in this global effort would be significantly enhanced by continuing to demonstrate our commitment to protecting our own waters.
This public consultation is designed to secure the views of ALL individuals and groups who have an interest in the future use of our EEZ. We are well aware of the presence of certain environmental groups advocating for the largest “no-take” zone possible and by now you have probably seen promotions for what has been described as the “Bermuda Blue Halo” in this regard.
On the other hand, ladies and gentlemen, and just as importantly, other groups, such as our commercial fishermen, and international game fishers, who contribute millions of dollars into our economy annually, are keen to ensure that they and future generations of recreational and commercial fishermen are able to continue their fishing activities in our EEZ.
So as you can see, there are many factors to consider and many organizations and individuals to consult. All have a keen 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 final decision is taken.
As we work through this evening’s presentations and audience discussion, I urge everyone present to listen to the various viewpoints that will be shared this evening and please, try to not simply listen for what you may wish to hear.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have said on more than one occasion that the future of our EEZ has not yet been decided. This Government needs your help to shape its future.
I have every confidence that Bermudians will carefully examine all of the relevant issues and the variety of options available for the future policy framework for this huge and valuable national asset. The Government will be doing likewise.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming this evening. I encourage you to listen to all positions so that you can effectively evaluate and participate. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this public consultation tonight.
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Really Mr. hutchings and who is going to pay your wage?? not me as a tax payer. BLUE HALO is the way to go!! let the fish breed stop destroying our planet!
The Blue Halo will cost Bermuda a fortune. It will involve hundreds of thousands of dollars a year of expense for the Bermuda taxpayers.
Talk is cheap show some proof!
Also, the expense to taxpayers is being deliberately understated because if the Blue Halo is created then civil servants will be “repurposed”. They cost money, and will presumably not be able to do their current jobs anymore… So what are they doing now?
You think the Blue Halo will result in civil servant jobs being lost? Explain that one again sir, I can’t quite grasp your logic here?
It is in PEW’s economic report in the summary of costs table.
Note that the PEW proposal doesn’t include a cent for enforcement. So we the taxpayer would presumably have to fork out money for that.
I am listening intently (albeit suffering through the buffering interruptions). The associated expense is a reality.
Call me selfish if you will.
I would much rather die a very old man happy in the knowledge that I stood for protecting my portion of this blue marble.
I see no reason NOT to endorse the Blue Halo initiative.
Flooky I say stay on course.
I want my unborn great grandchildren to experience what our stewardship will ensure.
We already have everything we need for a Marine Reserve in place already, big fines for foreign boats, the ability of the Minister to declare “no take” zones, and a Marine Resources board to help advise the Minister.
All we need to do is officially call what we already have a “Marine Reserve”. That’s it.
Everything else is just branding.
Then what is the problem. If it is already protected then why do you oppose it now. It took two bans on fish pots before the legislation was strict enough to stop the practice. Maybe the laws need to be revised and this gives us a great opportunity to re-brand and take advantage of a law that right now has no teeth or publicity.
Reminds me of an old couple going to Vegas to renew there vows and the husband gets cold feet at the alter.
Al. I am sure that was you there last night at the discussion. Did you not listen to what Mr. Flook had to say at all? Yes the EEZ is already protected through a Marine Mammal Protection. Yes there are fines that are in place but very out dated as Mrs. Trott did say.. To make the Blue Halo a Marine Reserve it will open the eyes to many others overseas. In the end many want to protect the Sargasso Sea all together. If Bermuda takes the first step in protecting what is ours, well that opens the doors for others to take the step protect the Sargasso Sea. As for protecting it, yes that will come in time. If we make this reserve things won’t happen over night, but it will be the beginning of something new for Bermuda. The discussion was a great one last night and I am sure there will be many more to come. Blue Halo all the way.
Perfect opportunity to turn the Regiment into our Coast Guard. Police the waters and use fines and confiscated assets to pay for it.
Police the waters….you must be joking…this area is the size of England Wales Ireland and Scotland combined……..not a chance of poilicing an area that size……
So Govermnet does not actually fund the Marine Police or Fisheries properly, so instead of funding,manning and equipping them properly , you want the Regiment to do it?
If the Government cant be arsed to do that properly , how on earth do you think they are going to use the Regiment?
How are the 18 year old conscripts going perform getting sent off to sea for long periods?
Have you even been in the Regiment ?
Imagine a holiday in the blue halo!
Imagine a holiday in the golden rainforest!
Imagine Bermuda being thought of as a marine haven before a tax haven!
Imagine legally fishing in the middle of a fish sanctuary!
Imagine Bermudians once again being an inspiration in the world!
Is this about the environment or population control, through initiatives that limit activities that help feed Bermuda? I have heard some scary things from scientists about the earth not eing able to sustain itself with the current world’s population of 6 billion. There is a school of thoght that the world’s population needs to be reduced order to make it sustainable for everyone. Who really stands to benefit from this? Our children, all our children? Really? Or the children of the one percent? If you think the Dark Ages as bad, just you wait.
Great debate tonight panel…Bermuda – let’s find the balance. Sounds like there might have been some omissions from the list of stakeholders. Not too late to correct that.
@More voices needed: I totally agree that there were some omissions from the list of stakeholders. There has to be more meetings in the spirit of the Socratic method,and I also hope the commercial aqua farmers are given a voice on the panel!
blue halo can go to hell
just another way to stop Bermudians from fishing
Ignoring the economics of actually getting alocal offshore fishing business going, what do you think would happen to the local fishermen if a longliner unloads a couiple of tons of fish to the restruants and other points of sale every couple of weeks?
All the day tripping fishermen out of business perhaps?
The only group that is not looking at this from a personal, money motivated angle is the Marine Protected Area (MPA) group. Every other group is representing exploitation for either personal gain, corporate gain or governmental gain.
The one thing I took away from this is Bermudians will argue for the next 10 years about the details and the ocean and the what if’s, and on and on… Those that oppose, would be better served by working on the legislative aspect to ensure your needs are understood and considered, …just sayin.
The cable laying lady’s was the only real question all night. Which is understandable to ask but, really, do you think the spirit of the MPA is to cut off Bermuda to the rest of the world and disallow communications … although some at the meeting seem to support isolation in other ways.
The mining people are snake-oil-salesmen. Don’t believe it for a second. While there may be small amounts of rare earths in the EEZ, there are no mountains of gold, no valleys of diamonds. The only ones that will get rich are foreign investors. The only jobs created will be foreign exploration and mining companies. Bermuda has no smelter so… will they be setting up a smelter in BDA or will the ore be immediate exported to another country for processing? … and did I hear Mr. H correctly last night, that Bermuda would get 2% of the profit of the smelt value? I’d like to hear an economist’s take on how that will workout for the average guy. Just google Nauru to find out what our future might hold if mining is allowed.
Yup, this was very interesting. It seems from the discussion we have 3 panelists supporting a mixed use. It was agreed by all that our enforcement on the platform at present is weak, so any expansion of protection will only demand more resources. I didn’t know that this wasn’t included in the economic report. The biggest surprise for me was that the industrial work needed to support underwater communication cables are hampered by a halo concept and other places with a reserve, new cabling doesn’t take place. This discussion is really just starting.
It was a very informative night with some great input from a lot of people.
From my perspective, Blue Halo is a no go. It has nothing whatsoever to offer Bermuda. While I am all for saving the ocean, I don’t see how anything we might do will make the slightest impact. And it certainly would not drive eco-tourism. Eco-tourists what a hands on experience, they want to see something and get involved. The Blue Halo has nothing in that way to offer.
I’m definitely supportive of the multi-use zone, though very hesitant about the notion of deep sea mining. It has no history, and I don’t see even being a viable option for quite a few years, so I’d have no problem with research, exploration being done, but a good long hard look would have to be made at other locations before Bermuda ever took it seriously.
We have to support out local fishermen and any other Bermuda-based operation that may need to make use of this zone. As was brought up, cabling needs to be considered, as well as the cruise ships.
But when it all comes down to it, regardless of the outcome, how will it be managed? By who? At what cost?
Right now, no one has a viable answer.
Fully understand the lies that are UN Agenda 21 and then you will begin to understand the lies that are Blue Halo.
I know to some this sounds a “conspiracy” – I love btw the lazy who like to label things they don’t understand as a “conspiracy”, certainly when it cuts across the grain of thier more easily digested narrative…but in short this is part of a world wide effort to effect ‘eugenics’ ultimately amd neo-fudal serfdom more immediatley – I know hyperbole some might say…
Like I said, fully understand the desired effects of UN Agenda 21 and then you can begin to understand the designs behind this scheme.
Competition for resources is what the oligarchy that rule this planet rue and we are finally, with this proposed initiative, beginning to feel is the icy cold tyranical tentacles affecting our shores.
If need be I can describe the “less popular” desired outcomes of UN Agenda 21 if you’d like but I’d suggest you do the research yourself.
Keep an open mind – do not be a sheep lest ye be prepared for slaughter.
A lawyer in the audience answered the question as it relates to cabling. Please refer to the footage to hear his answer. I agree with ‘Young Bermudian’, the discussion is only starting. I find the involvement of the Pew Foundation quite interesting. Organizations do not give money for nothing, especially Pew. Those of us familiar with grant writing know that there are conditions associated with the approval, release and potential renewal of funding. If this moves forward, we are at the mercy of the international community-you have to pay the piper! There is also too much conjecture surrounding the deep sea mining initiative and a lack of hard empirical data. My last question is that who will police this zast area? If this cannot be answered then this is an exercise in circular reasoning.