Electronic Reporting in Bermuda — Modernizing a National System Without Platform Dependency

Context

Bermuda has long recognized the importance of reliable, timely fisheries data for managing its commercial fisheries. Prior to this work, the country operated an earlier-generation electronic reporting system that provided baseline functionality but faced limitations in scalability, interoperability, and long-term adaptability.

At the same time, Bermuda's fisheries governance agenda was evolving — with increasing emphasis on data quality, digital integration, and the ability to collaborate with multiple technology providers over time.

This created an opportunity not simply to replace a tool, but to modernize the national electronic reporting system in a way that preserved institutional ownership and avoided future platform dependency.

Problem

The existing electronic reporting setup presented several challenges:

• Limited flexibility to integrate with other digital fisheries tools
• Increasing maintenance and upgrade constraints
• Dependence on a single platform architecture
• Difficulty expanding functionality beyond core reporting
• Growing gap between reporting needs and available system capabilities

Any new solution needed to improve functionality without disrupting operations, while also creating space for future innovation and partnerships.

The Role of the Waitt Foundation and Blue Prosperity

A critical catalyst for this transition was the involvement of the Waitt Foundation through its Blue Prosperity initiative.

• Identifying the opportunity to modernize Bermuda's fisheries data systems
• Framing the upgrade as part of a broader, long-term governance strategy
• Supporting coordination between government, technical partners, and stakeholders
• Bringing Shellcatch onboard to contribute technical expertise in electronic reporting and system integration

This ensured that the system upgrade was strategic and nationally aligned, rather than a standalone technical intervention.

Implementation

The work in Bermuda focused on upgrading the existing electronic reporting system while preserving continuity for users and regulators.

• Modernizing the reporting platform to support all commercial fisheries
• Improving usability and data structure without increasing reporting burden
• Ensuring system reliability for daily operational use
• Designing the system to support future feature expansion

A central design requirement was to avoid locking Bermuda into a single technology provider.

To achieve this, the electronic reporting system was rebuilt using an API-first architecture, allowing the reporting platform to function as part of a broader digital ecosystem rather than as a closed solution.

API-First Design and Platform Independence

• Integration with other fisheries technologies as they emerge
• Data exchange with external analytical or monitoring systems
• Flexibility to work with multiple vendors over time
• Clear separation between data ownership and service provision

This approach ensures that Bermuda's fisheries data remains under government control, while allowing the country to evolve its digital fisheries toolkit incrementally.

Rather than committing to a single platform roadmap, Bermuda now has the ability to connect, extend, or replace components as needs change — without rebuilding the system from scratch.

What Changed

The upgraded electronic reporting system now:

• Manages all commercial fisheries reporting at the national level
• Provides more structured, reliable, and accessible data
• Supports ongoing feature development without disrupting core operations
• Serves as a foundation for integration with other digital fisheries tools
• Reduces long-term technical and procurement risk

Electronic reporting shifted from a standalone application to a core piece of national fisheries infrastructure.

Current Status and Expansion

The electronic reporting platform is currently in active use across Bermuda's commercial fisheries and continues to evolve.

• Additional reporting features requested by fisheries managers
• Enhanced analytics and data access
• Potential integration with monitoring, tracking, and traceability systems
• Continued alignment with Bermuda's broader Blue Prosperity objectives

The API-first design ensures that these expansions can occur without creating new dependencies or silos.

Key Takeaway

Modernizing a national electronic reporting system does not require abandoning existing investments or committing to a single platform.

The Bermuda case demonstrates that upgrading legacy systems, combined with API-first design and strategic donor support, can produce a flexible, future-ready solution that supports national ownership and long-term governance goals.