Science & Nature
Election for the environment
Candy Whicker writes: Cayman truly is a jewel: our beaches, our wetlands, our mangroves, our undisturbed green spaces, our coral reefs, underwater world and our wildlife on land and in the sea – all valuable beyond measure. All of these are perfectly balanced by nature and together they keep our air clean, filter our waters, […]
Taking back control
Green Hornet writes: The concept of control has always fascinated me because control not only affects my life and that of billions of others, it also affects the lives of those plants and animals with whom we share this tiny blue planet. Okay, before we go any further, what does the OED say about control? […]
CSU forecasters predict 17 storms in a busy season
(CNS): The preliminary forecast by the experts at Colorado State University for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season predicts a busy one, with 17 named storms leading to eight hurricanes and at least four major hurricanes. Based on information obtained through March 2021, the experts from CSU predict “activity above the 1981–2010 average”, which is described […]
Shore fishing allowed in over half local waters
(CNS): Local fisherfolk are still free to fish from the shore around the Cayman Islands along more than half of the country’s coastline. The Department of Environment said there was some misunderstanding in the community about the recent rule changes to the Marine Park regulations and noted that fishing from the shore was still allowed […]
Department of Environmental Death?
Green Hornet writes: Last month a polite young Caymanian came to my door, clipboard in hand, and asked me if I’d like him to put poison in my coconut trees. The reason, he told me, was to get rid of those pesky coconut rats which, he said, were causing a serious problem. He was, he said, […]
DoE offers cash to divers in fatal coral disease fight
(CNS): The Department of Environment (DoE) is looking for divers who can help them in the national response to the deadly Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). With this disease impacting over 20 species of reef-building corals on local reefs, the department needs qualified divers to apply topical antibiotics and where necessary remove infected corals. […]
Underwater cameras to watch-over UKOT sea life
(CNS): The UK is funding a network of underwater cameras across its overseas territories to keep a watchful eye on the sea life and collect data to help in the conservation battle. The Cayman Islands will be included in the rollout of non-intrusive stereo-Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS), which will be deployed in open […]
Slow progress on renewables an ‘abysmal failure’
(CNS): James Whittaker, the chairperson of the Cayman Renewable Energy Association, has said it is an “abysmal failure” that in twelve years of aiming to introduce alternative energy, Cayman has only managed to reach a renewable power provision of just 2.5%. He has warned that the country is “nowhere near meeting the goal” of 70% […]
Port marine life still protected, say officials
(CNS): The George Town Harbour, which is now an anchorage zone and no longer a marine park after new regulations were implemented, is still protected because it remains a no-take zone, officials from the Port Authority and the Department of Environment have said. The new zoning also means that in future, divers will need to […]
Coral expert’s work ‘hijacked’ by developers
(CNS): Coral conservation expert Aaron Hunt, who is the man behind Cayman Eco Divers and whose work is slowly but surely bearing fruit in the ocean off the coast of Sunset House, has said he feels “powerless” to address what he described as the “worst kind of green-washing” by a developer using his images without […]
Reef fish restoration, a desperately needed next step
Courtney Platt writes: Announced last Friday, the Marine Parks expansion is official and it is already in effect! Thank you DoE and Wayne Panton for your perseverance over the years! One MAJOR hurdle down… just a few more yet to go (assuming optimum productivity for maximum sustainable use is the goal). Hooray, our marine heritage has […]
