Fishermen’s Association of Bermuda Declined to ratify the MOU

After much debate and consideration, the Members of FAB declined to ratify the MOU. It was felt that redefining the fishing industry’s engagement with BOPP would not be adequate, when in fact what needs redefining is the core tenet of BOPP, the commitment to designate 20% of Bermuda’s waters as no-take.

This commitment was made at the inception of BOPP, alluded to in the original MOU between the Ministry of Home Affairs, BIOS and the Waitt Institute, drafted and signed with no consultation of any stakeholders.

Fishermen have been instrumental over the years in the development of Marine Stewardship principles in Bermuda. They identified and lobbied for the protection of the hind grounds and black grouper (rockfish) aggregation areas, pushed for protective size limitations for black grouper. They have identified real threats to marine habitats to DENR, warnings that often go ignored.

Bermuda’s fishers participate in a non-industrial, small scale, low impact fishery with a limited market that inherently lends itself to sustainability, when managed properly. FAB is committed to continuing this ethos of Marine Stewardship, and will be developing their own Fisheries Management Plan for consideration of the public.

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