Ann Cartwright DeCouto
| Ann Cartwright DeCouto | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Premier of Bermuda | |
|
In office 1989–1992 | |
| Premier | John Swan |
| Preceded by | Clarence James |
| Succeeded by | ? |
| Minister of the Environment | |
|
In office 1989–1992 | |
| Premier | John Swan |
| Member of the House of Assembly of Bermuda | |
|
In office 1983–1998 | |
| Personal details | |
| Died |
June 2016 Bermuda |
| Political party | United Bermuda Party |
| Spouse(s) | Roderick DeCouto |
| Profession | Politician |
Ann Frith Cartwright DeCouto (c. 1941 – c. July 1, 2016) was a Bermudian politician, lawyer and a member of the former United Bermuda Party (UPI). She served as a member of the House of Assembly of Bermuda 1983 until 1998, which included a tenure as Deputy Premier from 1989 to 1992 under Premier John Swan, as well as the head of several government ministries under the UPI during the 1980s and 1990s.[1] Cartwright DeCoutowas was perhaps best known as the island's Minister of the Environment, also from 1989 to 1992. In 1990, she enforced a ban on fishing with fishpots in Bermudian waters, a move which was highly unpopular at the time.[1] However, Cartwright DeCouto's ban on the fishpots is now widely credited with reviving Bermuda's fish stocks.[1]
Cartwright DeCouto was elected to the House of Assembly in 1983.[1] Though she resided in Grape Bay, Paget Parish, she represented the Pembroke West Central constituency in neighboring Pembroke Parish.[1] Cartwright DeCouto, a lawyer by profession, specialized in family law.[1] She was one of Bermuda's first female lawyers, along with Lois Simmons and Shirley Simmons.[2]
She first served as Minister of Health and Social Services from 1985 to 1989. Cartwright DeCouto oversaw Bermuda's first response to the emerging AIDS and HIV epidemic.[1] She also commissioned a new prison to replace the outdated Casemates Prison during her time as Social Services minister.[1]
Cartwright DeCouto was simultaneously appointed Deputy Premier of Bermuda and the Minister of the Environment by Premier John Swan from 1989 to 1992. In 1990, she enforced a ban on fishpots in Bermuda, despite widespread opposition from the island's fishing and political sectors.[1] The ban was highly controversial, but Bermuda's fishing stocks were collapsing at the time.[1] At the time, there were 1,400 licensed fishpots in Bermuda, but many fisherman illegally set double or triple the number of fishpots that they were licensed to use.[3] The illegal fishing led to overfishing and a depletion of fish populations around the coral reefs.[3] The fishpot ban initially hurt the domestic fishing industry during the mid-1990s.[3] However, Cartwright DeCouto's ban on fishpots is now widely credited with successfully reviving Bermuda's fish populations.[1]
In 1994, Cartwright DeCouto resigned from John Swan's cabinet to protest a proposed independence referendum promised by the Swan government.[1] Swan favored independence for Bermuda, while Cartwright DeCouto strongly opposed the move. She explained her resignation to a Bermudian newspaper at the time, saying "In the Cabinet you’re either in the boat and go along with the consensus, or you get out of the boat."[1] The independence referendum was soundly defeated on August 16, 1995, with of 73.6% voting against independence. Swan resigned as Premier following the defeat.
Cartwright DeCouto also opposed a proposal to open a McDonald's franchise in Bermuda during the mid-1990s. She introduced the Prohibited Restaurants Act to Parliament in an attempt to stop the fast food restaurant.[1]
She did not seek re-election in the 1998 general election and retired from politics in 1998.[1]
Ann Cartwright DeCouto did in late June 2016 at the age of 71. Her death was announced on July 1, 2016.[1][4] She was survived by her children and predeceased by her husband, Roderick DeCouto.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Bell, Jonathan (2016-07-01). "Former Deputy Premier Cartwright DeCouto dies". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
- ↑ Bell, Jonathan (2016-07-02). "House: tributes paid to Cartwright DeCouto". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
- 1 2 3 Bell, Ira (1996-03-25). "The Changing Tides of Fishing". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
- ↑ "Ann Cartwright-DeCouto A 'Fearless Advocate'". Bernews. 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-07-24.