Topic: coastal erosion

One year into its term, the NCFC government has advanced efforts to address beach erosion along southern Seven Mile Beach, though broader coastal management plans remain unfulfilled and major funding questions persist.

The Compass took a boat ride across previously pristine beach, now submerged under several feet of water, to document the rapidly worsening erosion problem at the southern end of Seven Mile.

Erosion along Seven Mile Beach following Tropical Storm Helene has worsened and expanded to the point where only a few slivers of sand remain along a mile-long stretch of once prime beach front. Bar owners, hoteliers, residents and holiday rentals are suffering a parallel erosion of their businesses, property values and quality of life.

A ‘beach bond’ has been proposed as a possible solution to help fund a major sand replenishment project on Seven Mile Beach.

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.

Plans to spread more than 52,000 cubic yards of fresh sand across a severely eroded stretch of coastline on Seven Mile Beach were identified as an urgent national priority by a government task force in late 2021, according to records obtained by the Cayman Compass.

Royal Palms, once one of the most popular venues for locals and tourists alike, stands a shadow of its former self thanks to storm surges that have battered its structure and stolen its beachfront.

The Grand Cayman Marriott Resort is set to begin a room-renovation project, as the hotel grapples with ongoing issues around beach erosion at the southern end of Seven Mile Beach.