Tag: Gina Ebanks-Petrie
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 […]
Law paves way for environment priorities
(CNS): The last two crucial parts of the National Conservation Law came into effect on Monday when the environment minister announced its implementation, which will finally see environmental considerations given lawful weight in government decision-making. With the commencement of Parts 5 and 7, critical public agencies and entities, such as the Central Planning Authority, are […]
Cullers bring in 14,400 green iguanas
(CNS): The 18 registered cullers and their support teams managed to bring in more than 14,400 iguanas during the Department of Environment’s week-long green iguana culling project. Local cullers, who were using air rifles, sticks, traps, machetes and dogs, were offered $5 per iguana and have collected a bounty of some $72,000 for their haul. […]
‘Shocking’ iguana numbers pose environment crisis
(CNS): Local experts now believe that there are around half a million invasive green iguanas on Grand Cayman. Early estimates indicate the population is doubling annually and there could be well over a million by this time next year. Research by the Department of Environment has revealed that the number of iguanas is far higher […]
NCC faces speargun conundrum
(CNS): The National Conservation Council is facing a challenging problem because of a compromise the environment minister was forced to make over spearguns in order to gain support from his political colleagues on the National Conservation Law. As the last parts of the law are implemented, which is expected to be over the next few weeks, […]
Threats continue as CIG mulls marine park plans
(CNS): The National Conservation Council (NCC) and the Department of the Environment (DoE) are waiting for the greenlight from government to begin implementing the proposed enhancement of local marine parks in an effort to conserve local reefs while they are still relatively healthy. As the conservation clock ticks, direct threats to coral reefs around Cayman […]
Environment still not on CPA agenda
(CNS): The Central Planning Authority is still not giving environmental considerations equal weight when making decisions about development, despite recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General and the impending implementation of the final part of the conservation law. The director of the Department of Environment, Gina Ebanks-Petrie, told the Public Accounts Committee last week […]
DoE and Allen remain at odds over anchor damage
(CNS): The billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, one of the world’s richest men, is still arguing with the Department of Environment over the extent of the damage that marine experts here believe was caused by the anchor chain from his luxury 300ft yacht when it was in the Cayman Islands in January. Following the early stage […]
Allen’s company quibbles over reef damage
(CNS): Marine experts have begun salvage work to repair the extensive damage to corals off Seven Mile Beach by the anchor chain of billionaire Paul Allen’s yacht, MV Tatoosh, last month. While Allen’s company, Vulcan Inc., is disputing their level of culpability and the course of action for the repair, the Department of Environment has received a comprehensive assessment […]
Clock ticks on future of GT harbour
(CNS): Cabinet will be making a decision on the development of the controversial cruise berthing facilities in George Town harbour in a matter of weeks, the tourism minister has said. A separate seabed survey commissioned by the tourism ministry has been completed and once consultants, PricewaterhouseCoopers, complete the business case, the PPM government is expected […]
Marine park expansion needed now
(CNS): The Cayman Islands needs to act and implement expanded and enhanced reserves now because threats to the local marine environment are increasing and becoming more severe. The current marine parks have served Cayman well but they are no longer enough to protect against the global as well as local pressures on the marine habitat surrounding […]
