CCMI alarmed by UPM attack on conservation
(CNS): The Central Caribbean Marine Institute, a non-profit conservation and research facility on Little Cayman, has said the proposed changes to the National Conservation Act could have “catastrophic and destructive implications for the environment”. CCMI said in a release that the amendment bill paves the way for Cabinet “to make irresponsible decisions regarding environmental health by avoiding expert consultation” and represents “a perilous step backwards for sustainable development and data-driven decision making in the Cayman Islands”.
The CCMI is well-respected on the global scientific stage for its research in Cayman waters. Its patron since 2003 is Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh. As a Cayman-based non-profit, CCMI obeys local laws and has embraced the advances its host country has made over the years to protect its environment.
However, the NPO is now clearly very concerned about the effect of the proposed changes to the conservation law and has argued that environmental protections are essential to the future of the Cayman Islands. CCMI General Manager Kate Holden and board member Christopher Humphries have written to the ministry, Cabinet and MPs about the amendment bill.
“CCMI is opposed to the proposed changes to the National Conservation Act and stands firmly in support of evidence-based decision-making guided by representative government departments to safeguard the environment and its natural resources, ensuring access to these vital assets and prosperity for future generations,” they wrote in the correspondence.
The NPO raised its concern about the move away from international standards of sustainable development, the elimination of requirements for consultation and oversight from respected professionals in the decision-making and governance process, and the implications of the changes, such as removing the requirement for environmental impact assessments (EIAs).
Holden and Humphries said these important reviews “balance development goals with environmental protection by considering the short-term and long-term consequences of a proposed action, weighing potential mitigation strategies, and evaluating alternatives”.
Bypassing existing environmental protection measures would lead to avoidable, severe, compounding, and irreversible impacts on sensitive Caymanian ecosystems, particularly those already experiencing multiple stressors, they said.
“In 2023, the oceans suffered the longest and most severe marine heating event recorded in history. Coral cover on Little Cayman’s reefs, a benchmark for regional marine health, declined from 26% (2023) to 9% (2024). Meanwhile, disease has continued to decimate reefs across the Caribbean. Considering the impacts of these and other factors, including the spread of invasive species, we are in a state of environmental crises, both on land and in the water,” the letter states.
Given this crisis, the pressures from activities such as development and resource use need to be minimised or effectively managed more than ever.
“A healthy marine environment in the Cayman Islands will be essential to resisting and adapting to the intensifying impacts of climate change on our shores. Intact coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove ecosystems, for instance, are all critical for buffering wave energy and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) from
the atmosphere,” the CCMI said.
“As a low-lying, small island state, Cayman is particularly vulnerable to already changing weather patterns and the predicted increase in extreme weather in the coming years. A healthy and functioning environment is critical to societal well-being. Sustainable planning and effective governance are basic yet critical requirements.”
Holden and Humphries also noted the problems these amendments could present on the global stage for this jurisdiction and the scientific work that takes place here.
“These proposed changes also present challenges to meeting international obligations and achieving effective environmental management nationally,” the letter noted. “EIAs are an internationally recognised duty, enshrined in international laws, to which the Cayman Islands are signatories, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).
“EIAs are the process whereby the potential environmental consequences of an activity, such as development, are evaluated by technical experts to identify the likely areas of highest risk and to propose options for reducing that risk.”
Making their plea to Cayman’s politicians, the scientists said that Cayman’s natural environment is an intrinsic part of its identity and critical to the lives, livelihoods and lifestyles of its people.
“The NCA is designed to ensure that our environment continues to provide the benefits and services that are critical to the well-being and growth of our community,” they said as they urged the government to reconsider this backwards step.
See the full CCMI letter below:
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Category: Land Habitat, Marine Environment, Science & Nature
The Premier was the main person pushing for this Bill and pats herself on the back saying at least she will not be in Govt later this year.She hid the Bill from Kathy and some other members of the Cabinet for weeks. Then had the nerve to ask Kathy to bring the Bill. It was then given to Dwayne when Kathy refused. It was her idea to take the scientists from the Bill and to come up with that convoluted appeal process.
Until we fundamentally change our electoral system we will continue to be alarmed and outraged by the things our self-interested politicians continue to do.
Just to be clear, I clicked on the “angry” icon above, because I’m pissed off about the very clear attack on the NCA, however very much in support of the CCMI and their very important ideals.
Yeah, I was conflicted too! I wanted to press angry, coz I am, but eventually went for happy, because I’m glad the marine institute and others are standing up against these greedy, conflicted, lunatic politicians who are intent on DESTROYING EVERYTHING.
Why in the world would anything this bunch of wankers do surprise anyone? Look at the past. Hell next they could be offering the Island to sail to the other idiot Donald Trump
Noo
we already have our rich American Uncle here!
Thank you CCMI for standing up and adding your voice to that of the National Trust, the Department of Envirinment, Sustainable Cayman etc. Every environmental organisation thinks this is a bad idea and yet our Government is so deaf it cannot hear and so blind that it cannot see!!! Very said indeed.
Those political boffons only care about money, not us and not our environment. Caymanians, please, for the sake of preserving our islands, including our natural habitats (in our sea and on land) vote wisely this Election! We have already lost enough.
You really think Seymour is reading all these letters? Are you suffering from decompression illness?
Send it with a big bottle of Rum and at least he might look at it while he twists the cap off for a pick me up drink with Bush.
I love all you cry babies because who in their right mind believe that Seymour, O’Connor Connolly or any of the rest of them really give a rat’s ass about any environment or the Cayman Islands. They are in it for one thing – themselves and how it benefits them. Change it or you are bound by their decisions because they are for sale to the highest bidder.
If the flora and fauna of Cayman paid bribes to politicians the environment would be much safer.
You’d think providing clean air and shade would be sufficient. Guess not.
Let’s not forget protection from storm surge. We’ve already lost far too much mangroves, coral reef, marine environment and coastal vegetarian to make way for overdevelopment. All they want to do is press the destruction button.
“have written to the ministry, Cabinet and MPs about the amendment bill.”
you know have of these people can’t read and those that can have little ability to comprehend.
*half of these people
you must be the half that can’t read based on your spelling
…and you are a sad individual based on your contribution to this topic.
Dear..Where is your Grammer?
She move a foreign long time.