Boat operators get break on WIZ fees for 2022
(CNS): The government is giving watersports operators a break on expired Wildlife Interaction Zone (WIZ) permit fees this year for all those who apply to renew their licence before 31 July 2022. The aim is to support the economic recovery of operators impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and around 270 boats will be given the pass, saving money for those operators and captains. However, officials say that this will not cause much harm to the public finances.
To operate in Stingray City and the Sand Bar, the two WIZ areas, boats must have a valid permit and display the new purple 2023 decals issued by the National Conservation Council. Premier Wayne Panton, whose ministry has responsibility for environmental issues, said the Cabinet decision to temporarily waive these fees will support the financial recovery of watersports businesses.
“This waiver will benefit up to 270 vessels whose owners, operators and employees have been significantly affected by the economic impacts of the pandemic,” he said. “The opportunity to come, literally, face to face with our marine life at Stingray City and the Sand Bar is one of those ‘only in Cayman’ moments that draws visitors to our islands year after year. The watersports operators and guides who facilitate these experiences are valuable ambassadors for our community, culture and marine environment. Government is proud to support them through this fee waiver programme.”
Vessels permitted to operate in the Wildlife Interaction Zones are required to abide by specific rules as laid out in the National Conservation Council Directives, which guide the sustainable enjoyment of these unique marine ecosystems. The waiver only applies to applicants who previously held a WIZ permit that expired between 30 January 2020 and 30 January 2022. Operators must apply for their WIZ permit by 31 July 2022 in order to be eligible for the waiver.
The government stopped issuing WIZ licences in 2019 before the pandemic because of overcrowding at the sites.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development said the total revenue being waived is not expected to have a material impact on the government’s 2021 and 2022 forecast financial performance or compliance with the Principles of Responsible Financial Management. A licence costs $100 or $200 depending on the size of the boat, and the government is expected to forgo no more than $45,000 in revenue.
For more information about the WIZ areas visit the DoE website.
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I thought there were days when commercial operators were restricted at the sandbar? Did these rules go away?
No change to the rules. “a tourist vessel shall not carry paying passengers into the Sandbar Area of the Sandbar Wildlife Interaction Zone after 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday or after 3 p.m. on a public general holiday”. National Conservation Council (Licence and Permit) Directives
The whole point of this DoE licensing exercise was to establish basic safety inspection criteria, restrict the quantity of operators that were overloading the attraction, and protect that marine life from abuse. The annual licensing burden equates to just $100-200 per year, or 2-4 passenger headcount on a single afternoon journey. This is a Kenny/McKeeva UDP vote buying exercise that undercuts Mr Panton’s sustainability mission. $100-200 per year doesn’t spare any jobs or businesses, it’s eliminates the standards of operation and allows the attraction to resume, without interference, in a continued state of overloaded capacity. I’d like to hear Mr Panton defend this decision.
No change to licence conditions, i.e., still need Port Authority vessel safety inspection (which fee has been waived for years I think). Just that they don’t have to pay a fee for the WIZ sticker until next year.
It’s got more to do with those dodos at the DOE not administering the system properly and losing track of the numbers and identities of operators.
But let’s imagine it’s the benevolent government instead shall we.
Perhaps we should also review the productivity of the Coast Guard mission. Neither DoE nor Coast Guard seem to be able to collaborate on the minimal supervisory functions of Sandbar ops. If they can’t locate and coordinate the sandbar, switch on their 100nm radar, or locate distress call subjects or unannounced intruders even within Northsound, or scramble to intercept within an hour, then what was the point? While we’re at it, do we need two Aerial Support Unit helicopters if confronting drug/weapons/illegal landing and refugee/migrant interdiction is not considered to be part of their regular job parameters? Lots of expensive cross-agency pretending. There’s no shortage of equipment or personnel, or fancy uniforms, or expenses, so it must be some other reason why these agencies refuse to deploy or take action. ACC needs to explore this dysfunction.
Exactly where is the WIZ Officer from the DOE? The idea of a license scheme was to ensure that a full-time officer was available to safeguard the marine life and environment, and supervise vessels attending the WIZ Zone.
The truth is that from day one and the guy with the ponytail, this scheme has been badly managed like most of DOE enforcement. It’s about time questions were asked of this dysfunctional department, ill-disciplined staff, and it’s failing managers.
Government could help all small businesses by extending the “pension holiday” until the end of the year or longer. It is unaffordable at this time.
Yeah, because everyone who takes a boat to Stingray City has a permit…
What they had to pay to wizz?
Watersports is a nonprofitable business to be in. Give these poor souls a break
Then get into another business! CIG does not need to invest in businesses that are admittedly (your comment) nonprofitable.
‘Give these poor souls a break?’
Sheesh, how about ‘give these poor souls job training doing drywall or plumbing’?
And we wonder why things are so screwed up.
7:24, I think you missed the sarcasm.
Handout capital of the world
Sure that’s not Canada? Or, under the Biden Administration, what about the USA?
I’m sure.
So sad to see an over-exploited area being over-supported by over-supported businesses. None of the funds will trickle down to the crews. So sad how Cayman does this. 3’rd world expertise/corruption.
You act like the crew somehow has taken more risk than the owners who have taken all of the risk. If you take the risk to start a business, especially in an industry like watersports that is very hard to succeed in, and which was shut down for 2 years due to the Cayman government’s insane policies, then you deserve more financial upside than the crew who can leave whenever they want and have no skin in the game.
What about other sectors of the economy where, on account of governmental interference, businesses have been adversely affected and some have actually gone out of business?
Should CIG compensate them for loss and damage, or at least say sorry for causing Caymanian businesses harm?
Junius – the issue here is the Cayman Islands politicians who shut down entire industries (tourism) for 2 years based on fear (not science). Meanwhile, receiving full government salaries the entire time, whilst all small business owners are going bankrupt. The crew of these watersports companies also suffered due to the Cayman politician policies, but let us not pretend that the crew had a worse time than the actual business owners that lost everything and took all of the risk. I don’t believe in government handouts, but I also don’t believe in pig politicians receiving high salaries for 2 years for doing no real work whilst destroying the entire tourism industry.
Well said. I agree with you. And, just to clarify, I was not referring to the tourism industry or anything I directly tied to the tourism industry.
I just know of (and have personally experienced) loss and damage inflicted upon a minority area of the economy, which discriminatorily attacked the Caymanian minority in this sector.
Former Premier McLaughlin and Attorney General Bulgin leading the charge, which now Premier Panton supports this flawed decision made by Unity-Government (as the AG is still pushing this discriminatory agenda against Caymanians).
I actually ran a business with 35 employees for 24 years. YES, the benefits need to trickle down to the crew! – They were the heart and soul of the business, and I protected them dearly. So sad when you denigrate the importance of employees. How very typical of businesses that went belly up!!!!!
7.29pm – I guarantee you if you ran a watersports company that was shut down by the cayman government for 2 years you wouldn’t still be in business.
Read my comment 12:10! It was on who should be assisted – solely the owner or the owner AND employees! And to your point, there are watersports companies that exist today who were there 5 years ago; your ‘guarantee’ is NO GOOD. Sheesh, get educated. And yes, my employees are loyal to me, as I am to them. Your experience may be different as you care less for your employees and they care less for you. You reap what you sow!
7.19pm – I don’t know where you get your false moral superiority complex from. What have I said that even implies that I don’t care about my employees? I am making the FACTUAL statement that entrepreneurs and business owners take on 100x more risk than the average employee, and thus deserve more upside.
None of the really need it.
And it never goes to the unemployed crew members.
It goes to expensive unnecessary upgrades