BERMUDA AND THE 1995 REFERENDUM
by C. Walton Brown, Jr.
The islands of the North Atlantic Islands Programme are similar in one very crucial respect: each has some degree of jurisdictional autonomy. In this article Walton Brown, a lecturer in politics and history at Bermuda College, describes the experience of Bermuda in coming to terms with its colonial status.
It is perhaps appropriate that during the International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, as declared by the United Nations, Bermuda would move closer than ever to taking its place among sovereign states. This small mid-Atlantic island colony of 53 km2 and 60,000 inhabitants has all the material requisites to walk smoothly into independence—political stability, a strong and stable economy, and a long, successful history of internal self-government. What has prevented the question of independence to date from being placed firmly at the centre of political discourse and resolved definitively has been the lack of will from the island's political leadership and the absence of a mass pro-independence movement.
Then-Premier, Sir John Swan first raised the prospect of Bermudian independence in December, 1993, and set August 15, 1995, as the date for a national referendum on sovereignty. With the closure of the British military base, Premier Swan emphasized the rapid changes taking place internationally, in particular the burgeoning strength of regional economic blocs, NAFTA, and the European Union. Bermuda was at an important crossroads and needed to decide on its future constitutional status.
The ensuing political debate was clouded by a great deal of confusion and apparently contradictory positions taken by the major political parties, the ruling United Bermuda Party (UBP) and the opposition Progressive Labour Party (PLP). Firstly, the independence issue was raised and a referendum date set by the Government in the absence of any mass mobilization, and despite the fact that a majority of Government parliamentarians oppose independence. Secondly, the Progressive Labour Party, which has favoured independence since its inception, called on its supporters—who numbered 46% of voters in last election—to boycott the referendum.
PLP opposition to the referendum process largely centred around the inability of voters to decide on the form independence would take if this decision-making process was used; instead they called for an election so that voters could decide which proposed constitutional structure, UBP or PLP, they preferred. The historically anti-independence UBP brought forth the independence referendum even though most of its members remained resolutely opposed. Throughout the debate the divisions within the UBP deepened, with a number of members believing Swan and some of those closest to him had purely personal motives in pursuing independence. One casualty for the UBP was the resignation from Cabinet of the Deputy Premier and anti-independence stalwart Ann Cartwright DeCouto.
With the Referendum date set, Government decided not to take a position for or against independence, rather it simply encouraged voters to go to the polls and cast their ballots. While there were a number of public forums and an extensive media campaign reflecting both the arguments for and against independence, debate revolved largely around participation and much less about the advantages and disadvantages of nationhood. The failure of the Government to demonstrate any leadership on the issue, coupled with divisions within the pro-independence camp, pointed to a referendum defeat.
The Referendum and the Result
With August 15, 1995, set as the date for Bermuda's first referendum on independence, pro-independence supporters remained deeply divided along party lines and efforts by the Committee for the Independence of Bermuda to bring the two camps together proved fruitless. Under these conditions a “yes” vote was virtually impossible; and the intrusion of Hurricane Felix on the very day of the scheduled referendum only added to an already confused set of circumstances. (The arrival of Felix prompted PLP leader Frederick Wade to announce, “Even God did not want the referendum.”) Amidst uncertainty over whether or not the vote should proceed and a legal challenge to ensure that it did, the referendum was eventually held August 16.
Of those who participated in the referendum, 75% voted “no” to independence while the remaining 25% voted “yes.” The referendum legislation required that 40% of persons eligible to vote (not simply those who participated) had to vote “yes” in order for a yes vote to be valid. In light of the PLP's abstention campaign it is necessary to assess the participation rate to better determine what the figures mean. Approximately 58% of registered voters participated, in contrast to the typical 75% to 80% turnout in most of the general elections between 1972 and 1993 and the 90% who voted in the first democratic election in 1968. In the absence of the PLP's participation, the turnout—given the centrality of the issue nationally—would likely have been about 85%. Consequently, one can reasonably conclude that approximately half of the 42% of the eligible voters who did not vote were likely supporters of the PLP's vision of independence by way of an election with a commitment to certain constitutional reforms.
It is my opinion that Bermudians, then, have not firmly rejected independence and there may well be a test of their support before the end of this decade—certainly if the PLP comes to power at the next general election, as is widely believed. And if Bermuda is to reach its full potential as we approach the next millennium, self-determination must be ultimately and definitively addressed. What the experience of the 1995 referendum suggests is the need for a better approach for confronting the issue.
During the fall 1995 meeting of the Advisory Committee for Lessons from the Edge : The North Atlantic Islands Programme, Peter Friis was named Principal Researcher for Fisheries. His work will parallel similar projects in aquaculture and agriculture to round out the complex Resource-based Industries sector of the research programme.
Peter Friis teaches in the Department of Geography and International Development Studies and North Atlantic Regional Studies at the University of Roskilde, Denmark. He has a degree in sociology and a Master's in Economic Geography. He is currently involved in several international research projects, including “Devolved and Regional Management Systems for Fisheries,” on the future regime of management of fisheries. Two projects about Greenland are on “Conditions for Sustainable Development in the Arctic” and on the nature of incomes in that country. Also, two fisheries-related projects explore renewal strategies for fisheries dependent communities, and the marketing of fish and fish-related projects to the EU. He is in the process of creating a circumpolar atlas, and is chief consultant for the North Atlantic area in The Danish Encyclopaedia . Recent publications include The Internationalization Process and the Arctic (Roskilde University Press, 1995); “Major Trends in the Division of Labour in Europe's Fishing Industry,” in K. Crean and D. Symes (Eds.), Fisheries Management in Crisis (Blackwell Science, forthcoming); and “Creating a Common Network among the North Atlantic Fishprocessing Plants,” in Lise Lyck (Ed.) Nordic Arctic Research on Contemporary Arctic Problems (Aalborg University Press, 1992).
To contact Peter Friis write to:
Institut for Geografi
Roskilde Universitetscenter, Hus 21.2
Postboks 260
Dk-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
AQUACULTURE AND EXPORT OF RESOURCE-BASED
SERVICES
Carolyn Gillis Investigates
While awaiting her departure for Iceland, Carolyn Gillis worked on a Human Resources Development Canada-sponsored project examining the Export of Knowledge-based Services in Aquaculture. This is part of a more comprehensive NAIP sectoral study looking at the Export of Knowledge-based Services in various research areas, including information technology, international fisheries projects, international agricultural services, and financial services.
In the course of her research, Carolyn spoke to representatives from various sectors of the aquaculture industry, including the Atlantic Veterinary College, Canadian Aquaculture Institute, Atlantic Fish Health Inc., Atlantic Sea Smolt Inc. and Hidden Valley Charr. Government departments consulted include the PEI Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Enterprise PEI, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, PEI Department of the Environment, Industry Canada, and the National Research Council. These consultations indicated that while there is presently some export of knowledge-based services in aquaculture, further potential should be explored.
Carolyn's research is compiled in a report entitled Aquaculture and the Export of Knowledge-Based Services. Available from the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI, it provides a synopsis of the aquaculture industry in the Maritimes, and explores the role knowledge-based services may play in that industry.
THE FALKLAND ISLANDS
A South Atlantic Connection
by Sigfús Jónsson
In exploring opportunities for business promotion and exchange in the fisheries, I twice visited the Falklands in 1995. The following overview of the economy and society of these South Atlantic islands, with my inevitable fisheries bias, illustrates again the basis for comparison of island states.
Geography
The Falkland Islands comprise about 340 islands, the two largest being East and West Falkland. The capital, Stanley, lies on the southern shore of Stanley Harbour in East Falkland. The total land area is some 12,173 km2 (4,700 square miles), comparable to Northern Ireland or Connecticut, USA. The archipelago is about 480 km (300 miles) from the nearest point in South America.
The coastline is indented, with many natural harbours. Surrounding waters are free of ice. The hilly islands are covered by coarse grass, with areas of peat. The hilltops are often rocky with extensive screes. The highest point is Mount Usborne at 705 m (2,312 feet).
People & History
The population of 2,200 is predominantly of British descent. About 1,650 live in Stanley, the only town in the Falklands. The remainder live in settlements in the surrounding countryside or “camp.” Also there is a British military garrison at Mount Pleasant Airport (West Falkland) with an additional 2,000 people. The language is English.
The Islands have no indigenous population. They were settled in the 18th and 19th centuries, but the first recorded landfall was in 1690. In 1982 the Falklands made headlines when Argentina invaded. After a ten-week occupation by the Argentinians, and an armed conflict, the Islands were retaken by British forces. The Islanders are united in their wish to remain under British administration and sovereignty.
Government
Though a dependent territory of the United Kingdom, the Falklands have considerable autonomy. The Queen is Head of State and represented by the Governor, now Ralph Richards. The Governor is advised in the exercise of his functions by an Executive Council of three of the eight elected Legislative Councillors and two ex-officio members (the Chief Executive and the Financial Secretary).
The Legislative Council has the power to make laws for the territory, but responsibility for matters of defence and foreign affairs rests with Her Majesty's Government. The Commander British Forces Falkland Islands is responsible locally for the defence and security of the territory.
Economy
The economy of the Islands has traditionally been pastoral, predominantly based on the production of high quality wool from large ranches. Since the introduction of offshore fishing conservation and licencing in 1987, fishing has become the economic mainstay of the Islands. The Falklands now enjoy revenues of about £30 million per annum and full employment. There is a small but expanding tourist industry, with visitors enjoying the unspoiled wildlife and superb sea trout fishing.
Petroleum exploration and development is in its initial stages. Surrounded by four major sedimentary basins rich in oil content, it is very likely that the Islands will become an important producer of offshore oil in the future.
Fisheries
The fishery is mainly operated by joint-venture companies. These are partnerships between registered Falkland companies and foreign fishing companies that provide the fishing vessels. There are no local fishermen; local activity is all in services to the fleet. Catches are processed on board and shipped to market by refrigerated cargo vessels at regular intervals. Loading and unloading usually takes place at sea in a sheltered bay called Berkley Sound. The companies apply for government licences and pay substantial licence fees.
The Future of the Islands
The main opportunities lie in offshore oil exploration and in developing a domestic offshore fishery and land-based fish processing plants. In the “camp” the main opportunities are in tourism and the inshore fisheries. A factor limiting growth is the poor road network and lack of a car ferry between East and West Falkland over the Falkland Sound. The British and Argentinian governments have reached an agreement over offshore oil exploration, alleviating one of the key problems that led to the 1982 confrontation. Inhibiting economic development for the islands as a whole is the extremely small population base; the Falklands could easily support a much larger population. For political and cultural reasons, however, the Falklanders may not want a massive influx of immigrants.
The Four Sectors of the Falklands Offshore Fishery
The main offshore fishery sectors are:
-
1. The Ilex squid fishery in the northwestern areas in March-June.
It is dominated by Far East jigging vessels. The products go to
Eastern Asian markets. There is very little local involvement in
this sector, but it provides a very large share of the licencing
fees to the government.
2. The Loligo squid fishery in the southwestern waters. This is exploited mainly by Spanish-Falkland Islands joint-venture companies, but there is also one Japanese-Falkland Islands partnership.
3. The finfish in the south and western areas. It consists mainly of blue whiting and hoki, with some by-catches of kingklip and other species. Hake is a migratory species and much is now being fished inside the Argentinian fisheries zone. These are mainly Spanish-Falkland Islands joint ventures, but there are also some independent licences for the Japanese and the Koreans.
4. Longlining for toothfish. Consolidated Fisheries Ltd., a consortium of most Falkland Islands fishing companies, has exclusive rights under two licences.
Sigfús Jónsson is Chairman of Expert-Ice Ltd. Management Consultancy in Iceland, and a member of the NAIP Advisory Committee.
THE ÅLAND ISLANDS
An Accident of Geography
by Laurie Brinklow
In Bjarne Lindström's October 1995 opening remarks about the Åland Islands—on board the cruise ship Birka Princess, travelling from Stockholm to Mariehamn—he told the Advisory Committee about the key to the Ålands' success: “an accident of geography.”
The Ålands are perfectly situated between two major European centres—Helsinki and Stockholm—in one of the world's busiest shipping routes. This “lesson” is not one to be easily replicated by the other islands, but what we learned over the next three days of meetings with government officials and business people was how the 25,000 inhabitants of this tiny home rule jurisdiction have used their ingenuity and determination to take advantage of their location, history, and cultural diversity to create a thriving economy, independent from assistance from the mainland government of Finland.
MP and then-Speaker of Parliament Roger Jansson, and 2nd Secretary of Parliament Susanne Eriksson, provided an historical overview of the Ålands, and told us how they have used their history as a minority within a larger state, along with their demilitarized status, to promote “The Åland Model” to create a niche for themselves as peace-makers in international disputes. Niklas Fagerlund, advisor to the government on European Union, explained how Åland has benefited from its special status within the EU to serve better its economy. A meeting with Gun Erikson-Hjerling, Manager of the Gustaf Erikson Shipping Company, and granddaughter of founder Gustaf Erikson, told us the story of the company, and gave us better insight into the importance of the shipping industry in the Åland economy. Agneta Erlandsson of the Chamber of Commerce, Gunilla Nordlund of the Åland Tourism Association, Folke Husell of the Bank of Åland, and Göran Lindholm of the Åland Mutual Insurance Company provided us with an introduction to the business, finance, and insurance industries. With a million tourists a year, the service industries are extremely important to the island's economy.
Dinner with then-Prime Minister Ragnar Erlandsson, in the restored 14th-century Kastelholm Castle, was truly memorable. Singer Eivor Lindström (Bjarne's wife) entertained us with a selection of Åland folksongs, as well as an unforgettable rendition of the Newfoundland folksong, “Tom and Nancy.” The Advisory Committee came away inspired by the success of this remarkable archipelago of islands—a success that goes far beyond an accident of geography.
Laurie Brinklow is Publishing Co-ordinator for the Institute of Island Studies, and an administrator of the NAIP.
NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH ICELANDAIR
The North Atlantic Islands Programme is delighted to announce that it has an important new sponsor and private-sector partner in Icelandair. Icelandair operates one of the most profitable airlines in Europe and flies to most major destinations in Europe and eastern North America. This year it is launching new routes into Halifax and Boston beginning in mid-May. The Halifax flights go on Tuesday and Thursdays each week offering attractive connections from Iceland to mainland Europe. It is even better news for Atlantic Canadians that Icelandair has also formed an agreement with Air Atlantic to permit the most direct and economical bookings for Atlantic travellers destined for Europe from any of the locations served by Air Atlantic. It also means, of course, that Europeans will be able to purchase through-tickets to all destinations in this region, thus opening new promotional opportunities for the four Atlantic provinces in lucrative European markets.
Icelandair agreed to support our Programme with up to 25 free air tickets per year for each of the three years. These will be used to support necessary travel for researchers and administrators of the Programme. Hans Indridasson, the Icelandair representative in Halifax, plans to visit Prince Edward Island under the auspices of the North Atlantic Islands Programme to talk with ministers and officials about the new routes and the opportunities that they open up for tourism and export businesses.
Planning is also underway to launch the inaugural flight on May 14 with appropriate aplomb. Among the many dignitaries expected on this first flight will be President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, Prime Minister Davíd Oddson and Foreign Minister Halldór Ásgrímsson. Prime Minister Oddson and Mr. Ásgrímsson will also be making a one day return flight to the Viking archaeological site at L'Anse Aux Meadows in Newfoundland, a fitting symbolic celebration of renewed ties between Iceland and the eastern shores of Canada.
A trade mission from Halifax to Iceland is being set up for the spring period while another trade mission with business representatives from Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland/Labrador (and from elsewhere in the region) is being planned for the Fall.
GUðRÚN PÉTURSDÓTTIR
FOR PRESIDENT OF ICELAND
Adapted from the Daily News From Iceland home page at
http://xanadu.centrum.is/icerev/05feb96.html.
Colleague and research associate for the North Atlantic Islands Programme, Dr. Guðrún Pétursdóttir announced her intention to seek the Presidency of Iceland in the June 29th election. She is a 45-year-old university associate professor and director of the University of Iceland's Fisheries Research Institute.
Pétursdóttir is considered the first serious candidate to officially step forward for what is the highest public office in Iceland. She said the decision follows encouragement from a growing group of diverse people.
The multilingual Pétursdóttir is daughter of the late Pétur Benediktsson, former ambassador, member of parliament, and bank director. She is married to Ólafur Hannibalsson, a journalist, alternate member of parliament, and former farmer. They have two daughters, aged four and seven, and live in Reykjavík.
APPRENTICESHIP CANDIDATE
by Nancy Murphy
The student selected as the first Apprentice in the North Atlantic Islands Programme has been poring over books about Iceland since learning that she was chosen from this year's candidates. Carolyn Gillis of Montague, Prince Edward Island, left on March 8 to spend at least six months working in the aquaculture industry in Iceland, with the possibility of a six-month extension.
Carolyn was chosen from a field of candidates with interests in aquaculture and tourism. Through the sponsorship of the Province of Prince Edward Island she will have her travel costs covered; the Institute of Island Studies has arranged for her employers in Iceland to pay her enough during her stay to cover living expenses. It is expected that Carolyn will spend approximately three months in the capital, Reykjavík, working at the Marine Research Institute, and the remaining time in the Akureyri region working on a halibut aquaculture project.
This is a golden opportunity for Carolyn. A University of Prince Edward Island graduate with an MSc from Memorial University and considerable field experience in aquaculture, she will now have the opportunity to work in one of the most advanced fish export countries in the world. This will give Carolyn a better grounding in the economics of aquaculture, and a better sense of how to tap into international markets. She will also be able to take advantage of study opportunities in the field of Fisheries Economics or Aquaculture.
Of course, the lure of adventure heightens the excitement. "The best thing about this is the chance to go and live in a different culture," says Carolyn. "Very close second is the chance to gain experience in aquaculture. I would really like to do something for the Prince Edward Island fishery. I hope to come back with a better idea of potential markets or new species for our own aquaculture."
This is where the people of Prince Edward Island are the big winners. By encouraging future business leaders to expand their expertise and business knowledge, and by asking that the apprentices return to their home province and apply their newly-honed skills in the local economy for the next three years, the provincial government is investing in the economy of the future.
When asked about her adventure, Carolyn says, "I am very excited about this opportunity. I would like to thank the Province of Prince Edward Island and the Institute of Island Studies for choosing me as the first apprentice in the North Atlantic Islands Programme. As well, I want to express my appreciation to those in Iceland who made arrangements for my stay, and particularly to Guðrún Pétursdóttir, Director of the Fisheries Research Institute."
Nancy Murphy is a public relations specialist currently on contract with the Institute of Island Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island.
ATLANTIC ISLANDS, OFFSHORE OIL AND DEVELOPMENT
Planning continues for an international conference on “Atlantic Islands, Offshore Oil and Development,” to be held in St. John's, Newfoundland, in September 1997. It will be a component of the Summit of the Sea, part of the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of John Cabot's Newfoundland landing.
The conference will provide an opportunity for participants from Newfoundland, Trinidad, the Shetlands, Orkneys, Faroes, Falklands, and other Atlantic islands, and academics, consultants, government officials, and business-people with related interests, to discuss the impacts of the offshore oil industry and their management.
The organizing committee is in the process of identifying potential speakers and would be interested in receiving suggestions, expressions of interest, and proposals. Conference themes include:
-
• Regulatory Approaches
• Fiscal Management
• Environmental Planning and Management
• Economic Benefits Planning
• Impacts on Traditional Industries
• Cultural and Social Impacts
Contact:
-
Mark Shrimpton
Community Resource Services Ltd.
P.O. Box 5936
St. John's, Newfoundland
Canada, A1C 5X4
Tel: (709) 753-8493
Fax: (709) 576-6946
INSTITUTE OF ISLAND STUDIES TO HOST
INTERNATIONAL SUMMER INSTITUTE
The University of Prince Edward Island will host an International Summer Institute, “Looking Beyond the Periphery,” in August, 1996. The Summer Institute is part of the North Atlantic Islands Programme and will be funded in part by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
The focus for the Summer Institute will be the advancement of solid research in small island studies. Inter-disciplinary teams of senior and younger scholars will be joined by graduate students from both sides of the North Atlantic in their study of strategies for economic self-reliance in small island jurisdictions.
“Although we will be concentrating on research aspects of small island studies in this summer program, we are grounding this research in the experiences and insights of people directly involved in small island economies,” says David Milne, one of the co-chairs of the Institute.
Organizers are now developing a programme for the Summer Institute sessions and creating a list of graduate students and faculty who may be interested in participating. For more information contact the Institute of Island Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
1998 International Conference
on the Literature of Small Islands
The Institute of Island Studies and the Department of English at the University of Prince Edward Island will be hosts to an international conference on the Literature of Small Islands. The conference will take place during three days in June 1998 at the University based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and will include a combined programme of scholarly presentations and cultural events.
We now invite proposals for papers. They should be no longer than two pages in length. Conference presentations will be of 20 minutes duration and followed by discussion. The focus of the conference is on any aspect of the literature of small islands and of islands in literature. Four general categories are: i. island as a theme and metaphor in literature; ii. works rooted in islands; iii. writers and scholars rooted in islands; iv. works written by individuals who live(d) on islands. A list of some possible topics is available.
Proposals must be submitted by March 31, 1997 to :
c/o Institute of Island Studies
University of Prince Edward Island
550 University Avenue
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Canada C1A 4P3
Tel: (902) 566-0592
Fax: (902) 566-0756
E-mail: rlemm@upei.ca
FAMILIAR NAMES
In International Publications
Nord Revy, No. 4/5, October 1995 (Journal of nordREFO, the Nordic Council of Ministers Research Institute, Lars Hedegaard, Editor)
Ólafur Hannibalsson, “The Dark Sides of the Quota System .” [Published as “Kvotesystemets skyggesider,” English Translation by Guðrún Pétursdóttir.]
Note: The above articles will be available in English on the NAIP home page at http://www.upei.ca/~iis/naip.htm.
Note: This publication is available for the use of visitors to the NAIP reference library at the University of Prince Edward Island.
TOURISM BIBLIOGRAPHY
ON THE WEB
Tom Baum, Principal Researcher for Tourism, is pleased to announce that a preliminary bibliography on tourism is now available on the world-wide web. Close to 100 titles, some with abstracts, are posted under the title “Tourism and Small Islands: an initial bibliography” located at http://www.upei.ca/~iis/bibtour.htm. Please check it out, and provide Dr. Baum with your comments and suggestions. His e-mail address is tgb@buck.ac.uk.
LARGE COD LANDINGS
From The Iceland Reporter, February 1996.
Fishermen are seeing plenty of large-sized cod … Fisheries authorities attribute the large catches of mature cod to conservation policies and catch allowance cutbacks. Fishermen, on the other hand, claim the authorities have underestimated the strength of cod stocks, and are pressing for increases in catch quotas.
FISH PRICES DROP
From The Iceland Reporter, March 1996.
The price of cod sold at fish markets in January both inside and outside of Iceland went down considerably compared with the same month last year.
The decrease amounts to 15% on the Icelandic markets and 28% in Britain. The same trend occurs with the price of haddock, which has seen drops abroad ranging from 21 to 29%, and redfish, which fell by 11 to 13%.
The price of saithe, on the other hand, has gone up 3 to 21%. The reason for the price drops appears to be an increased supply of cod and haddock compared with the same time last year.
NORDIC COUNTRIES PLAN
ARCTIC COUNCIL
WITH CANADA, RUSSIA AND USA
From “Nordic Impacts,” in Nord Revy, No. 6, December 1995
At the end of a summit bringing together the leaders of Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, in Ilulissat, Greenland, Danish Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen announced that the Nordic countries had agreed to join a planned Arctic Council which should be set up in Canada next year, and in which the United Sates and Russia would be part. The Arctic countries have to co-ordinate in the fields of the environment, trade, tourism, transport and communications, he said.
Institute of Island Studies