Topic: Cayman Islands Department of Environment
Caybrew’s new release ‘Lagerhead’ supports turtle conservation
The Cayman Islands Brewery – operating under the brand Caybrew – has launched 'Lagerhead', a new premium amber lager and a permanent addition to its core portfolio. The brewery indicated it is "brewed with both flavour and purpose in mind" and that the new beverage supports turtle conservation and protection.
Shark recovery in Cayman brings rise in fishing encounters
A decade after sharks were first protected in Cayman, early signs of recovery are beginning to emerge, alongside a rise in fisher encounters.
Cat cull can continue as legal challenge unfolds
Cayman’s controversial feral cat culling programme is not subject to any court-ordered halt and can continue as a legal challenge proceeds.
New research aims to uncover the birthing sites of Cayman’s sharks
Scientists will use a Birth-Alert-Tag, which will be inserted inside the uterus of pregnant female reef sharks to determine where they give birth.
Research scientists return to Cayman, following deep sea expedition
Over 4,000 square miles of the seabed were mapped and almost 10,000 specimens were collected from Cayman waters
‘Shazam for birds’ used to pinpoint the beauty of Cayman’s birdsong
Cayman’s birds are known for their beautiful birdsong and now a project from the Department of Environment is recording all their tweets, trills, warbles...
Public backs plan for Cayman’s first-ever national park
Hemmington Forest on Cayman Brac is set to become the Cayman Islands’ first formally designated national park, following public consultation. However, the plan must still move through government channels before it can be implemented.
Little Cayman could gain UNESCO World Heritage status by 2030
The Department of Environment has said it is revisiting and advancing efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for Little Cayman.
Lobster season is now open
Fresh locally caught lobsters usually end up as Cayman-style lobster; a recipe passed down through generations, typically featuring fresh tail meat cut into small pieces and lightly sautéed in butter.
New warnings over ‘ghost nets’ after dive boat finds trapped sharks
New warnings about "ghost nets" have been issued after two dead sharks were found tangled up in a large fishing net in the waters off East End.
Marriott gets green light to restore eroded beach
The Grand Cayman Marriott Resort has been granted permission to restore its storm-battered beach in a project that could serve as a test case for a much-wider response to erosion on Seven Mile Beach.
Mooring buoys awaiting repairs across Cayman Islands
A large number of the public boat moorings dotted around the Cayman Islands cannot be used currently, as the Department of Environment awaits resources to repair them.
New twist in saga of road through blue iguana territory
Lawyer and landowner James Bergstrom is asking Cabinet to reverse a decision from the National Conservation Council to designate his land as critical habitat for the endangered blue iguana.
Compass Media staff rescues seabird entangled in hair product
An anhinga seabird recently showed up in the parking lot at Compass Media with a hair weave wrapped around its beak and feet.
Dive in: Cayman’s World Ocean Day events
With more than 46,000 square miles of sea and just 102 square miles of land, the Cayman Islands is a nation overwhelmingly defined by...
Ching ching aggression and the ‘finger wiggle’ that deflects them
It is that time of year when you get out of your car in the parking lot or you are walking the dog and suddenly, a ching ching bird swoops down and startles you, maybe even making contact with your head.
Female turtle dies in poaching incident
A female green sea turtle was killed on Wednesday related to a poaching incident which resulted in the arrest of two men.
Film featuring Cayman waters set for global premiere
Cayman's turquoise blue waters, the majestic world beneath its surface and the mounting challenges it faces will take centerstage as the third instalment of the One Planet Insights docuseries premieres on Friday.
Turtle-friendly lighting push gets a $73k boost
Florida-based firm Synergy Lighting has been awarded a $73,001 contract to supply turtle-friendly lighting for an ongoing campaign by the Department of Environment.
DoE issues warning after turtle nest tampering
Recent incidents of turtle nests being tampered with and hatchlings being impeded on their journey to the sea have prompted a strong warning from the Department of Environment.
‘Quiet’ turtle nesting season for Cayman
After two record-breaking years in a row, the number of turtle nests on Cayman beaches looks set to drop this year.
Artificial lighting threats to turtles rises with development, report finds
With the increasing pace of coastal development artificial lighting has fast become one of the biggest threats to turtles during nesting season leading to a rise in misorientations and hatchling deaths.
Dying breed: Sister Islands rock iguanas hit with multiple deaths
The death of pregnant Rock Iguana on Little Cayman late last week has once again raised fears for the survival of the already fledging population of the endangered species on the Sister Islands.
Global coral bleaching event declared
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has declared that the planet is currently experiencing a global coral bleaching event - the fourth on record and the second in the last decade.
DoE urges community to ‘prioritise nature’ ahead of Cayman Earth Week
With Cayman Earth Week set to begin on Monday the Department of Environment has called on the community to use the opportunity to prioritise nature in their daily lives and perform acts that will help the planet.
Rescuers unsure if red-footed booby chick Dolly will fly
While the cast has been removed from the broken wing of rescued red-footed booby chick Dolly, it remains unclear if the protected bird will be able to fly soon.
Meet Magpie, the frigatebird chick being nursed back to health
Magpie, the offspring of one of Cayman's iconic magnificent frigatebirds on Little Cayman, is on a journey to recovery in the hands of Department of Environment officer Ronny Dougall.
Pilot whale washes ashore on Cayman Brac
A female pilot whale that washed up on the Cayman Brac coastline last week may have died in childbirth.
Passion and purpose
A career with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment allows people to find value and purpose, while making a difference.
Nassau groupers recovering in Little Cayman, struggling in Grand Cayman
While Little Cayman's Nassau grouper population has rebounded with strong signs of recovery this year, Grand Cayman has not achieved similar success as it faces challenges to growth.
DoE: Storm highlighted importance of expanding setback rules
The Department of Environment has insisted that its statement and interactive map, which outlined its recommendations on planning applications of storm-damaged properties, was not an 'I told you so' exercise. Instead, it hopes it will make people reflect on the need for more effective setback regulations.
DoE setback advice ignored in storm-damaged coastal properties
The Department of Environment, in a statement and interactive map, has outlined how its advice and recommendations on coastal setbacks were ignored in the planning process of several of the properties that sustained damage in last week's destructive nor'wester.
Warning issued over toxic Portuguese man o’ war
The Department of Environment is advising the public to be aware that "highly toxic" Portuguese man o’ war is currently present in local waters.
Rare glow-in-the-dark kitefin shark spotted in Cayman waters
Researchers on the ‘Deep See Cayman’ project have spotted a rare glow-in-the-dark kitefin shark, the first such sighting of the species locally and in the Caribbean.
Cayman marks Sea Turtle Week with record start to nesting season
A total of 165 turtle nests have been logged since the start of 2023 nesting season in the Cayman Islands, a record tally for this time of year according to the Department of Environment.
King tides flooding low-lying areas
Higher-than-normal tides has led to flooding in low-lying coastal areas, such as North Sound Estates.
Rare shark found entangled in ghost net
A George Town fisherman found three dead sharks entangled in a large abandoned fishing net about a mile off the west coast of Grand Cayman earlier this week.
Two sharks found entangled in fishing lines
The rare and "very special" sighting of a lemon shark in the North Sound has been marred for marine enthusiasts, after the animal was recorded struggling to swim, having become entangled in abandoned fishing lines.
New report outlines ‘severe’ climate-change risks for Cayman
A new report by UK experts highlights some of the biggest threats the Cayman Islands face from climate change.
‘Mangroves don’t vote’ – Debate rumbles as road deadline looms
Following two public meetings last week, residents of the Cayman Islands now have until Monday, 20 Feb., to submit comments on the scope of the environmental impact assessment of the East-West Arterial Extension.
DoE confirms outdoor pets can be legally fed and neutered
The Department of Environment has confirmed that outdoor cats being cared for on people's private property are considered pets, and has given animal charities the go-ahead to continue spaying and neutering them.
DOE: Sea urchins in distress
The Department of Environment has renewed a call for residents to alert it if they come across dead or dying long-spined sea urchins, as reports continue to grow throughout the Caribbean of a mass die-off of the creatures.
Turtle nest relocated from high water mark
A Loggerhead sea turtle nest in risk of being washed away was rescued and relocated after it was found too close to the high water mark.
Watch: Sharks diving deeper to escape ‘human disturbances’
Researchers have logged three Caribbean reef sharks around a 300ft depth off the coast of West Bay last week, which they say suggest the apex predators are seeking refuge away from growing human interference in local waters.
Record year for loggerhead turtle nests in 2021
Although the overall number of turtle nests declined in 2021, Cayman's loggerheads enjoyed a record-breaking year, more than doubling the nests registered in 2020.
DoE to launch new green iguana culling programme
Department of Environment officials say they are looking to implement a scaled-down and cost-effective version of its green iguana culling programme.
Green iguana culling programme may have reached its limit
The Department of Environment will have to rethink its green iguana culling initiative, after recent trends show the once successful population control programme could be losing its effectiveness.
Coral Fest cancelled
The Department of Environment has cancelled its planned Coral Fest event due to COVID-19 concerns.
Barracuda bite victim returns home, but vows she’ll be back
The woman who was injured after being bitten by a barracuda while swimming off Seven Mile Beach is expected to make a full recovery and has said she will return to Cayman again, despite her harrowing experience, a family spokesman stated.
DoE ‘surprised’ by late turtle-nesting season find
The discovery of a late turtle nest has increased hope for the team at the Department of Environment that more turtles could visit Cayman's shores before the month's end when the season officially closes.
Conch and whelk season opens
It's November 1 which means it's that time of year again when eager conch and whelk lovers hit the water in search of the delectable underwater delights.
Loggerheads break nest record
While Cayman’s loggerhead turtle nesting season ended with a record-breaking 343 nests registered across all three islands, green sea turtles have not fared as well, with the Department of Environment noting a drop in the numbers for that species this year.
Loggerhead hatchlings make daylight debut
The Department of Environment has released unique footage of a dole of eager Loggerhead turtles fighting their way to the surface from their sandy nest and making their trek to the sea in Little Cayman.
Shark killings on the rise in Cayman waters
The number of sharks being killed in Cayman’s waters is increasing, with 27 reported killed as of 26 Aug. compared to 16 in 2019.
Baby dolphin rescued on Seven Mile Beach
A baby dolphin was found in distress on Seven Mile Beach over the weekend where it was treated for an injury and later released.
Farmer vows to ‘take out’ local parrots
As the 2021 mango season wraps up, one local farmer says Cayman’s national parrot has “riddled” his yield and he’s had enough.
195 conch and four lobsters illegally taken
Two individuals were warned for intended prosecution after Department of Environment conservation officers caught them with 195 conch and four lobsters on Friday.
Turtle disorientated during Tropical Storm Elsa rescued
A female Loggerhead turtle was rescued from a swimming pool Tuesday after being disoriented by lighting during the passage of Tropical Storm Elsa overnight.
Speeding cars impact rock iguana population
The already dwindling population of the Sister Islands Rock Iguana has taken a serious hit with the recent deaths of two adult reptiles, one of which was full of eggs.
Land crabs feel the pinch from development
Habitat loss remains the number one threat to Cayman’s plummeting crab population.
2 new stony coral disease sites found in East End
The deadly stony coral tissue loss disease have been found at two new sites in East End, the Department of Environment has reported.
Report: 22 years of monitoring shows large increase in turtle nests
As Cayman's turtle-nesting season gets under way, a new research paper prepared by the Cayman Islands Department of Environment and the University of Exeter in the UK has tracked a major increase in the sea turtle-nesting population over 22 years.
Stop notices issued after illegal mangrove clearing
Both the Planning Department and the Department of Environment have issued stop notices after the illegal clearing of mangrove in the Red Bay area.
DoE alerts beachgoers following reports of jellyfish stings
An eight-year-old girl is among several people nursing injuries after encountering jellyfish along Seven Mile Beach this week.
DoE: Dive volunteers helped save coral
Over three days last week, hundreds of volunteer divers worked to clear sand that was smothering coral at Eden Rock. Those efforts may have paid off, according to Department of Environment Deputy Director Tim Austin.
DoE: Large marine animal sightings a welcome sign
Recent sightings of a sperm whale and its calf and a large sixgill shark surfacing in local waters are encouraging signs that demonstrates Cayman’s rich diversity, the Department of Environment’s Tim Austin has said.
Deadly coral disease found over 4-mile area
Department of Environment researchers say they are growing increasingly worried as the deadly Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, first spotted at Penny’s Arch in the Rum Point Channel, appears to have spread over a four-mile area.
DOE issues bonfire warning
Three instances of bonfires found close to turtle nests have prompted a warning from the Department of Environment as it raised concerns about the safety of hatchlings.
DoE preps for Sandbar reopening
Restrictions at Stingray City and the Sandbar are set to be lifted on 19 July and the Department of Environment is preparing for the return of visitors to the North Sound sites.
DoE urges moderation when fishing
With fishermen back out to sea and leisure activities on the water now virtually uninhibited, the Department of Environment is reminding those casting their lines to fish in moderation.
Daily stingray feedings draw on DoE resources, personnel
From 19 July, restrictions on the Sandbar and Stingray City will come to an end and for deputy director of the Department of Environment, Tim Austin, that day cannot come fast enough.
Debris from rocket launch found floating off Brac
Debris from a rocket that launched from French Guiana in December was spotted off Cayman Brac last week.
