Tag: reef damage
Little Cayman reefs devastated by marine heatwave
(CNS): A survey of reefs around Little Cayman has revealed a shocking decline in coral cover from 26% at the start of 2023 down to less than ten percent by this summer. The devastating loss of coral is down largely to the global bleaching event fuelled by last year’s marine heatwave. The survey by the […]
Hawaii first place to ban toxic sunscreen
(CNS): The governor of Hawaii, David Ige, signed legislation last week prohibiting the sale or distribution of suntan lotions that contain toxic chemicals in the state from 2021, becoming the first place to ban oxybenzone and octinoxate. Researchers say these toxins are linked to widespread coral reef damage and are harmful to marine life. A press […]
Coral bleaching ‘new normal’ say scientists
(CNS): Scientists have found that the time-lapse between coral bleaching events has decreased rapidly over the last forty years, reducing the time reefs have to recover and making bleaching the “new normal” for the delicate marine ecosystems. In the latest bad news about the fate of the earth’s ocean-life, researchers found that the average time […]
Conflicts emerge over cruise project
(CNS): The tourism ministry’s chief officer outlined a precise timeline for the progress of the cruise berthing project when he answered questions in Finance Committee Wednesday. But conflicting messages from the premier on the unresolved talks with the cruise lines, which were revealed Friday, and environmental questions over coral relocation throw the timeframe into question. […]
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 […]
Cayman Port sued over crushed reef
(CNS): The owners of a cargo ship which crushed a sizeable portion of reef off Eden Rock in December have sued the Cayman Port as they claim the authority is entirely to blame for their 100-metre, 3,000-ton cargo vessel running aground and then causing the damage. The Saga ran aground in George Town Harbour and […]
Cargo ship owners admit crushing reef
(CNS): The owners of the 100-metre cargo vessel, Saga, that ran aground in George Town Harbour off Eden Rock last month have admitted crushing the reef and have engaged marine experts to assess the damage and remove the rubble and coral that cannot be reattached. Environment Minister Wayne Panton said the company had “stepped up […]
Cargo ship crushes George Town reef
(CNS): The Department of Environment has begun an investigation after the hull of a cargo vessel reportedly crushed a significant area of the reef in the George Town harbour when the ship ran aground. Government officials said inquiries are still at an early stage and they are now surveying the damage. Once the true environmental […]
Billionaire yacht owner settles-up for reef damage
(CNS): Paul Allen, the owner of the luxury 300ft mega-yacht, the MV Tatoosh, has reportedly settled with the Cayman Islands Government over the damage caused by his boat’s anchor chain to a section of coral off Seven Mile Beach earlier this year. Government has not said exactly how much the billionaire and former Microsoft owner has […]
Panton reveals challenges of yacht reef damage
(CNS): Government has plans to install a number of moorings that can accommodate super-yachts to help reduce reef damage by anchor chains, Environment Minister Wayne Panton has told the Legislative Assembly. He said that since coming to office, there have been five cases of vessels damaging coral with anchor chains but it has proved challenging to fine […]
DoE and Vulcan agree deal over coral damage
(CNS): After several weeks of wrangling, the Department of Environment has been able to secure an agreement with Vulcan Inc. on behalf of billionaire Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft and owner of a luxury yacht that damaged a large area of coral reef off the coast of Seven Mile Beach on 14 January. Coral restoration […]
