Tag: Gina Ebanks-Petrie
Cruise port causes ‘significant uncertainty’ for environment
(CNS): The damage to the Cayman Islands’ marine environment by the proposed cruise berthing development could be far worse than already suspected because of the “significant uncertainty” surrounding many aspects of the project, Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie has warned. Until the design is finalised and key geotechnical studies have been completed, it will […]
The not-so Jolly Roger runs aground again
(CNS): For the second time in less than a month The Jolly Roger has run aground in the George Town Harbour as a result of the bad weather caused by Hurricane Michael. Grand Cayman’s popular pirate tour boat was grounded Tuesday morning just behind the Lobster Pot, but at the time officials from the Department […]
DoE needs info to stop 2020 iguana doomsday
(CNS): With only CI$1.1 million in the budget and a doomsday scenario of around 4.6 million green iguanas on Grand Cayman by 2020, the Department of Environment is urging everyone interested in adapting an existing business or starting a new one to help remove the pest to take part over the next ten days in […]
Dart’s event site poses threat to turtles
(CNS): The director of the Department of Environment raised concerns that events at the festival site being constructed by Dart could pose a threat to the nesting turtles on nearby beaches when she revealed that none of recommendations supplied by the National Conservation Council had been considered when the Central Planning Authority recently granted planning permission. Speaking at […]
DoE confirms coral damage from Kittiwake
(CNS) UPDATED: The Department of Environment completed a preliminary assessment Monday of the damage that the sunken wreck, USS Kittiwake, has caused to coral in the area after the artificial reef shifted during the recent high seas from Tropical Storm Nate. Officials said the wreck’s movement impacted some of the adjacent living coral reefs and early […]
Panton departs LA after creating six protected areas
(CNS): The outgoing environment minister has left Cayman with an historic parting gift following his four years in office. Just before the country went to the polls last week, Wayne Panton managed to get his Cabinet colleagues to sanction five important natural habitats on Grand Cayman, including Barkers and the central mangroves, and Booby Pond […]
Cash from reef destruction funds new moorings
(CNS): Cash received by the government from the settlement it agreed with billionaire Paul Allen after the anchor chain of his yacht crushed a section of coral off Seven Mile Beach last year is now being used to install permanent moorings. Environment Minister Wayne Panton said materials are now being bought and contracts agreed to install the […]
CITES top grade protects important Cayman trade
(CNS): International trade that involves the legitimate use of certain animal and plant species can continue without the fear of suspension, now that Cayman’s legislation protecting the environment has been rated fully compliant with all international standards regarding the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The environment ministry […]
DoE takes aim at arbitrary road plans
(CNS): The director of the Department of Environment has criticised arbitrary submissions of road gazetting applications to Cabinet with what appears to be no strategic review to inform or justify them. Gina Ebanks-Petrie raised concerns to the National Conservation Council Wednesday, as it considered recommendations on several proposed road gazettes in the North Side area […]
DoE app to help with research and enforcement
(CNS) The Department of Environment has launched a new ‘app’ that combines information from its marine enforcement officers with that from the public. SIREN Cayman enables both the public and officials to input information relating to sightings of important species and to report what may be infractions of the conservation law. The smart phone application […]
NCL will need public support
(CNS): The full implementation of the National Conservation Law is “not a panacea” to address all of the challenges surrounding conservation and environmental protection in Cayman and it will still need the support of, and pressure from, the public to ensure it is used properly. The Department of Environment’s director has said that ensuring government […]
