Science & Nature
More Sahara dust expected to cross Cayman
(CNS): More hazy conditions are expected over the Cayman Islands this week from the Sahara dust, the National Weather Service has warned since Monday. This phenomenon can blunt tropical storms and also feeds the sargassum, but it can also play havoc with solar panels. With a large plume of Sahara dust moving west across the […]
Plastic trash ‘endless and everywhere’, activists report
(CNS): A group of volunteers who engaged in a weekend beach clean-up in North Side on Monday have said that most of the garbage they collected was plastic and microplastics, which was “endless and everywhere”. Plastic Free Cayman organised the latest effort to keep Cayman’s beaches clean, joining up with Protect Our future and the […]
OfReg poses increase to domestic solar generation
(CNS): The utilities regulator, OfReg, has said that an additional capacity of 3MW of Distributed Generation Resources (DGR) could be added to Grand Cayman’s transmission and distribution system to allow more domestic generation of renewable energy, given the level of demand, until CUC is able to complete its battery energy storage system (BESS) for its […]
Seas choking on plastic, overfished and acidified
(CNS): In his message to mark World Oceans Day on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that many of the benefits oceans provide are being undermined by human activity. “Our seas are choking with plastic waste, which can be found from the remotest atolls to the deepest ocean trenches,” he said. “Overfishing is causing an annual […]
Work on climate ‘now urgent’ says Panton
(CNS) Premier Wayne Panton said he wanted to reassure the country that he takes his duty and responsibility as premier and minister for sustainability and climate resiliency seriously because the work “is now urgent, especially in relation to our response to climate change”. By creating this new ministry, Panton’s government has signalled a clear intention […]
DoE warns that mating turtles come closer to shore
(CNS): A hawksbill turtle, a critically endangered species, washed up last week showing evidence of being hit and killed in a boat strike, according to the Department of Environment on social media. The DoE noted that it is currently turtle mating season, which makes all species vulnerable as they come closer to shore and spend […]
Divers could be spreading fatal coral disease
(CNS): The deadly Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease has until very recently been advancing in a uniform path, but with reports of it appearing in random unconnected sites, the Department of Environment is now worried that divers and boat operators may unwittingly be spreading the disease. This latest fatal coral disease was first spotted in […]
All quiet in Atlantic as 2021 storm season opens
(CNS): Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center in Miami are predicting a 60% chance of an above-normal season for the Atlantic in 2021 with as many as 20 storms. But the experts do not anticipate the historic level of storm activity seen in 2020, which was the most active season in over 170 years. The veteran […]
West Bayers fear loss of Barkers Beach
(CNS): Local non-profit groups, conservation advocates and activists in West Bay and beyond are joining forces to mount a focused campaign to save Barkers Beach and secure the location as a formally protected national park before the area is developed. Fears are mounting as development around the much loved natural beauty spot gathers pace and […]
WB wetlands immersed in plastic pollution
(CNS): Local activists are raising the alarm about pollution in the West Bay wetland area after they discovered this weekend just how much plastic is finding its way into the remaining mangroves in the Safehaven area. Plastic Free Cayman, which organised the clean-up to mark World Biodiversity Day on Sunday, were joined by volunteers from […]
Plant thieves steal rare orchid from Botanic Park
(CNS): Two chocolate orchid (Encyclia phoenicia) plants have been stolen from the Orchid Boardwalk at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, one of several thefts from the gardens this year, according to General Manager John Lawrus. Horticultural Manager Nick Johnson said he was saddened by the loss of the beautiful plants, named for its strong […]
