Homeowner pledges $3 million to help save Seven Mile

A Seven Mile home owner has committed US$3 million towards a fund to help save the beleaguered beach front.

Turkish entrepreneur Ergun Berksoy, who has lived on the island for 22 years and has Caymanian status, said he was putting up the cash in the hope that others would follow suit.

He said Cayman could not afford to wait any longer to act over the loss of its key attraction.

As waves battered the Cayman coastline this week, scouring the last remnants of sand from southern Seven Mile and inundating coastal properties, Berksoy told the Compass that he was digging into his pockets to help fund swift action.

The businessman, who owns coastal hotels in Europe and built his own home next to Cayman Reef Resort, said he was concerned at the speed at which the erosion issue had spread.

In a letter to this publication, he wrote:

“I believe that instead of searching for someone to blame for this erosion issue, we (the civilian population) must join forces with the government and those invested in the coastal region to produce a solution as soon as possible.

“In this regard, I, Ergun Berksoy, pledge to contribute US$3 million towards a solution for this coastal erosion.”

Possible solutions, recommended by a government task force as well as engineers hired by the Dart group, include beach replenishment, which involves pumping fresh sand on to the impacted area in sufficient quantities to restore the beach.

While there is some scepticism about this approach, it is frequently deployed in other areas, including parts of Florida.

Meanwhile, government announced on Thursday a meeting will take place on Monday, bringing together “vested parties,” along with a technical team from the Department of Environment and representatives from each of the ministries responsible for environment, planning, tourism and lands.

In a press release, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Resiliency Katherine Ebanks-Wilks called the erosion an “urgent national matter that not only affects homes and businesses, but also our Tourism product”.

“This Government is keen to continue our collaboration with private sector stakeholders to forge a sustainable solution to preserve and protect such an important national asset that supports both our economy and our environment,” she said.

‘I am not sure why we are waiting’

Berksoy, in a phone interview with the Compass, said he is concerned that the erosion will spread further. He said he hoped government – which is losing tax revenue from empty or underpriced hotel rooms – would also contribute.

But he argues that there is no time to waste and that homeowners and developers can put significant funds towards a solution if government does not have the budget to do it.

“I am not sure why we are waiting. For everyone to see that the beautiful Seven Mile Beach is gone?” he said.

“This island is a diamond and the beach is for everyone. 

“I am 80 years old, but let us do what we can so that our children and grandchildren will not curse us.”

He said he hoped his offer would motivate people to start seriously grappling with the problem.

The Dart group, which owns property along the beach, and the Marriott hotel, have previously indicated a willingness to help fund beach restoration. Dart funded a study that made the case for beach replenishment and has argued for a ‘beach bond’ that would create a ring-fenced fund from additional hotel room taxes to replenish and maintain the beach.

But there remains doubts over how such a public-private partnership would be managed and permitted and who would have control of the project’s specifications, if it were privately funded.

And government would like to see ‘managed retreat’ – with structures moved further back from the coastal zone – before it considers sand replenishment.

Wilbur Welcome, chief officer in the Ministry of Lands previously told the Compass, “The preferred solution is for a public/private partnership that not only focuses on renourishing the beach, but firstly undertaking the necessary managed retreat and changes to how the Cayman Islands develops properties with active shorelines.”

Berksoy acknowledged that homes and sea walls close to the water may have contributed to the problem.

But he said all had been built with approval of planning and at a time when there was significantly more sand in front of them.

His own home was built only seven years ago, at a time when there was “100 feet” of sand in that location, he insisted.

The house is set back further than neighbouring properties but waves were still splashing over the sea wall Wednesday. 

As footage shot by the Compass last week and this week demonstrates, a mile-long section of beach is now almost totally eradicated by erosion. While nor’wester storms may bring some sand back to the area, expert reports indicate a massive net loss of sand from the Seven Mile system.

“This is something that is happening all over the world, not just in Cayman,” said Berksoy.

“I love Cayman and I am giving $3 million with the thought that others will also donate some money and we can find a solution through civil activity.”

In his letter to the Compass, Berksoy elaborated.

“Unfortunately, a permanent solution to this critical issue has not yet been found, and erosion continues to grow. What used to be visible erosion only at the Marriott Hotel’s beach has now spread as far as Sovereign.

“I assure you that if necessary precautions are not taken, in the blink of an eye this erosion will soon reach the Kimpton Hotel.”

He argues that $20 million or $30 million spent now to save the beach will offer a significant return on investment both for property owners and the government.

“There are hundreds of short-term rental apartments and thousands of hotel beds along the Cayman coast,” he said, referencing the Reef Resort, Regal Beach, Laguna del Mar and the Marriott among others.

“As a result of the erosion, cancellations of reservations have significantly increased,” he said, citing a parallel loss in tax revenue for government.

“This situation signifies not only economic losses but also that the natural beauty of this wonderful region is under threat. I hope that a solution will be found urgently for this critical situation. We must act together to protect our future and keep this beautiful country liveable.”