Data before decisions, adaptive fisheries management and mandatory recreational fishing licences are on the list of proposals being drawn up by the Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda.
The organisation has been holding meetings among its members to try to formulate a plan ahead of the implementation of regulations under the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme, which proposes a 20 per cent no-take zone, which is opposed by the association.
The Government has said that it would “proceed with the BOPP process” but that members of the fishing community were welcome to participate.
Jamie Walsh, secretary for the FAB, said: “The problem is, it is the wrong management strategy. There’s a 20 per cent no-take protected area, which makes a blanket decision on what should be targeted management. When you take away a big chunk like this, a very tenuous economic model tips over and becomes non-viable.
“We are very lucky, we don’t have large scale, industrial fishing in Bermuda — it doesn’t exist. The few species that are commercially fished can be managed on a species-by-species basis.
“We are not against protected areas, but it needs to be targeted to specific species or a specific habitats, and be based on data — data we don’t have.
“We need data first and decisions later with fishermen and government, and entities like the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, working together.”
Ms Walsh said that adequate enforcement of existing regulations was also key, while fish exports were a non-starter.
Last year, the association rejected a marine conservation and management plan that looked to protect 20 per cent of Bermuda’s waters from fishing.
Fishermen left the table last November and considered taking legal action against BOPP. They accused the Government of ignoring their input.
Walter Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, initially ruled out direct talks with FAB after the group spurned further feedback meetings on the draft proposal.
Fishermen presented a petition with about 5,000 signatures against the BOPP proposals to David Burt and Cabinet in January. The Premier and other officials offered to meet directly.
The association presented a draft memorandum of understanding to the Government for “re-establishing trust between the parties involved”.
In a June statement, fishermen said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources had failed to heed alternative proposals.