Bermuda’s ocean supports us all — fishermen and women, families, businesses and communities. It provides food, livelihoods, recreation and coastal protection, and it remains central to our identity and economy. It is no surprise, then, that the Marine Spatial Plan and the proposal to fully protect 20 per cent of Bermuda’s marine area have prompted strong views.

The Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda has raised important concerns about fairness, effectiveness, and collaboration, all valid considerations in shaping a plan that works for Bermuda.

But this plan has not appeared overnight. It reflects more than seven years of engagement with Bermudians across sectors, including fishers, tourism operators, scientists, conservation groups, and government. While not everyone agrees on every detail, it represents the most comprehensive ocean planning efforts Bermuda has ever undertaken. Letting it stall now risks leaving us without a clear, coordinated approach, and with greater uncertainty for everyone who depends on the ocean.

The proposed 20 per cent full protection is not about meeting an arbitrary target. It is based on strong scientific evidence that fully protected areas help marine ecosystems recover and remain productive over time. When designed well, they support the long-term health of fisheries as well as the wider ocean.

Bermuda’s fisheries are rightly regarded as relatively well managed — something we should be proud of and continue to build on. But sustainability is not fixed. Local data shows increasing pressures from extraction, habitat loss, climate change, and increasing demand, meaning even strong systems must continue to adapt to meet these challenges.

Read more here: https://www.royalgazette.com/opinion-writer/opinion/article/20260504/myles-darrell-a-shared-ocean-future-for-bermuda/