One of the main reasons for the rapid depletion of the fishery was the method used. In Bermuda, like many other Caribbean countries, reef fish have traditionally been caught by traps or pots. In short, these fish were those which were most important to a beautiful and exciting aquatic life that many of the tour guides, hotels, and others were dependent on to attract tourists to their island. Exploiting the herbivorous fish population has serious consequences for the coral reefs. Without a significant number of herbivorous reef fish to consume the growing algae, the reefs would be overgrown with algae, thus leading to the coral's decline as well.
Coral reefs are extremely important to sustaining an active and healthy aquatic life.
HABItat Loss 4. The Bermuda government created the 1990 Fish Pot Ban to address the problem of fish decline. While some initial reaction to the ban was critical, the majority of the displaced workers have since moved on and there is a general agreement over the success of the ban. As for now, early results conclude that the ban has been extremely effective in saving the aquatic community. The Bermuda government, under this arrangement, has total control over the use of pots in the fishing industry through the issuing of licenses.