Policy Options for a Bermuda Nearshore Marine Spatial Planning Process

Bermuda’s nearshore marine environment is a critical economic, environmental, and social resource that supports a wide array of recreational and commercial uses, including but not limited to commercial and recreational fishing, dive tourism, commercial and cruise shipping, and undersea cabling. These uses must coexist, and the challenge of managing the intensive use of the Bermuda Platform and other nearshore waters will increase in the future as new activities, like offshore energy and aquaculture facilities, are introduced.