Video footage of a severely injured stingray has prompted a Department of Environment warning to boat operators traversing the Sandbar area to exercise caution and follow Wildlife Interaction Zone rules.
The stingray on the video, which was shared on social media, was seen swimming with a large cut on one of its wings.
The DoE said on Saturday, in a post on its official social media pages, it is aware of the video circulating of the injured stingray.
However it said, though severe, the trauma to the wing area “is not life-threatening and will usually heal very well on its own, so long as the ray is breathing and feeding, which this one appears to be doing well”.
Some may find the image of the wounded stingray disturbing. However, the injured stingray is a reminder that caution is needed when in or near the interaction zones.
“We implore members of our community to exercise caution and respect at all times as we engage with our marine environment and the many extraordinary species that thrive there,” a DoE statement stated Saturday morning.
Fishermen, the DoE said, are asked to ensure they are careful when releasing unwanted catches, like stingrays, and should feel free to cut the line as close to the hook as they feel safe when releasing animals they can’t handle, like stingrays.
“Boaters are reminded to follow the WIZ rules when approaching the Sandbar by not bringing your vessel or anchor shallower than the minimum depth of three feet, especially in choppy water. This depth keeps boat props and other parts from getting too close to stingrays, people, or the Sandbar itself,” the DoE said.
The DoE reminded boaters that Cayman’s graceful and friendly stingrays not only share their marine home, but the ones who frequent the sandbar share their lives with us, representing Cayman personally for both visitors and residents.
“It is all of our responsibility to protect them,” they said.
Stingrays are a protected species, which means it is illegal to harm them in any way.
The DoE is encouraging anyone who witnesses suspicious or illegal activity to report it immediately to 911 or the Department of Environment by calling enforcement on 916-4271, or messaging WhatsApp with as much information as possible, including the name of the vessel, company and/or persons involved and clear photos or videos of the incident.
“Where we can gather evidence identifying a person breaking the law, including deliberately or negligently harming a stingray, a case will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions,” the DoE said.
All information provided to the DoE will be kept strictly confidential, and incidents investigated, it added.
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