Topic: environment
Overseas Territories, London officials expect to broach beneficial ownership issue
Premier Alden McLaughlin and a six-member Cayman Islands delegation attended Tuesday afternoon’s opening session of the three-day annual Joint Ministerial Council in London. Ongoing questions of beneficial ownership are expected to be among the more contentious subjects addressed among the group of 12 Overseas Territories and Foreign and Commonwealth Office leaders.
St. Ignatius students excel in inter-schools debates
High school students Naomi Harris and Finley McDougall from St. Ignatius Catholic School won the inaugural Conyers Inter-Schools Debate Tournament last week in a tightly contested event.
Government funds for vehicle, asset replacement diverted
The Cayman Islands government has not planned appropriately for the need to replace old, outdated equipment in a number of areas – including service vehicles – and has actually spent money intended for that purpose on other things.
Those findings were included in a special government committee report on the management of public finances released last week.
Age proves no barrier for young Bodden Town community activist
A young girl’s concern for her community is turning heads and causing a stir.
Bulk waste collections begin
It’s time to get rid of old household appliances, furniture and yard waste: the annual bulk waste clean-up campaign started this week.
Premier condemns anti-business rhetoric
Premier Alden McLaughlin admonished legislators for anti-business, anti-expat rhetoric that he warned risked hurting the island’s economy.
The premier supported an amended version of a private members’ motion from backbencher Winston Connolly, who called for changes to business licensing laws to encourage training, development and ownership opportunities for Caymanians.
US issues worldwide travel alert
In the wake of the recent terror attacks in Paris, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel alert Monday, urging its citizens to be aware of heightened risks, particularly when traveling during the holiday season.
Port politics: 'The Council' comes to life
Flexing its muscles against its creator, the National Conservation Council is attempting to impede the Progressives government’s pursuit of the cruise berthing project downtown.
Conservation Council questions Ministry of Tourism role in pier project
The National Conservation Council has questioned the role of the Ministry of Tourism in pushing for the cruise pier project.
Fifty-six jurors excused from Watson and Rodriguez trial
A jury panel was chosen on Friday for the trial of Canover Watson and Miriam Rodriguez, but not before 56 of 70 potential jurors were excused. The seven jurors and two reserves chosen were scheduled to begin hearing the matter on Monday, Nov. 23.
Legal action possible over port decision
Cayman Islands Government has been served with notice that a judicial review could be filed with relation to Cabinet’s decision to proceed with the cruise port development.
Panton: Spearfishing rules may be changed
Environment Minister Wayne Panton indicated Wednesday that long-standing rules banning the importation of spear gun parts and the granting of new spearfishing licenses could be changed, depending on recommendations from the National Conservation Council.
The issue was raised Wednesday in the Legislative Assembly.
Recycling to expand in the new year
Government is working to get more recycling stations set up around the islands in the beginning of next year, according to Jim Schubert with the Public Works Department.
Parry sees new-look Sunset rising
Sunset Football Club used to be widely seen as a team for mostly British ex-pats who enjoyed the social aspects of the sport rather than having a competitive edge.
Business in brief
UBS, Walkers sponsor Ladies in Trusts event; Maples expands global private client services offering; DMS hosts Offshore Investment Funds Summit; and Hurst promotes Cayman at overseas real estate symposium
Bahamas back in Cayman for I-Cup tournament
The Cayman Islands Flag Football Association hosts their Invitational I-Cup Tournament this weekend.
Coral bleaching in Cayman passes 'mass event' threshold
The waters around the Cayman Islands hit the threshold in recent weeks that could cause mass coral bleaching around the islands, part of a global event this year caused by warmer than usual water temperatures throughout the world’s oceans.
Revival seen in turtle nesting population
A dramatic recovery in Cayman’s nesting sea turtle population, from the brink of extinction at the turn of the century, is demonstrated in two decades of data collected by environment officials on Cayman beaches.
Green Iguana B'Gonna
Little Cayman’s Mike Vallee is committed to protecting Cayman’s environment, both on land and at sea. These days, along with fellow Little Cayman resident Ed Houlcroft, Mr. Vallee’s current focus is on eradicating a certain wily invader that has successfully made itself at home on Grand Cayman with the launch of a new program called Green Iguana B’Gonna.
Helping hand for nesting birds
Many types of birds make their nests on Cayman Brac’s cliffs and rocky shores, but due to an unfortunate chance convergence of ocean currents, its rugged coastline also accumulates masses of floating garbage.
Planning for health
As planners circulate a draft redesign for central George Town, an urban revitalization expert from the United States was on island recently to present about principles for creating healthy cities and improving public health through design at the Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference.
The planning, design and architecture of a city can have serious impacts on the health of the people who live there. That was the message of James Moore with the U.S.-based Urban Land Institute.
West Bay fishermen oppose marine zone expansion
In a second meeting to present the new marine parks plan in West Bay, about 100 people showed up Monday night to voice their opposition to the plan to Department of Environment officials.
Police launch second round of community clinics
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is launching another round of its community clinics throughout the Cayman Islands.
Stalling, stalling, stalling, stalling, stalling, stalling …
In large measure, this PPM government was elected on the singular campaign promise that it had the solution to the George Town Landfill — and it didn’t.
Bennett, 14, is already an Elite talent
Elite Sports Club has some of the youngest – and tiniest – players in the women’s football league and one of them is the exceptionally talented Shannelle Bennett.
New assistant director at landfill
The Department of Environmental Health has hired engineer Mark Rowlands as its new assistant director, in charge of solid waste.
Save turtles, close Turtle Farm
World Animal Protection is unsurprised to see that only around 1 percent of Caymanian residents eat turtle on a weekly basis.
Tourism minister denies port conflict
Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell has refuted suggestions of a conflict of interest over Cayman’s cruise port project.
Obituary: George Richardson Proctor, 1920-2015
George Proctor, author of "Flora of the Cayman Islands," passed away in New York on Oct. 12. He was 95.
Northward's got talent
Prisoners at Northward displayed their talents at a Literacy Day event last week, showcasing the prison's rehabilitation programs.
Conference looks to the future of medicine
Emerging trends in medicine will be the focus of the Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference that begins Thursday.
Business in brief
Global Directories names new president and CEO; Michael Garvey joins DMS; Aon Cayman adds to Risk Solutions team; Mourant Ozannes offers development opportunities; National Gallery welcomes intern
Researchers track shark numbers
Researchers are tracking shark, snapper and grouper populations to monitor the health of predators on Cayman’s reefs.
Landfill to reach capacity in 2021, say consultants
Consultants say the George Town landfill will reach capacity by summer of 2021 unless a new strategy for managing solid waste is introduced.
A new National Solid Waste Management Strategy for the Cayman Islands, released for public consultation Monday, estimates that even with all of the recommendations to reduce and recycle trash, the George Town landfill would have only “a limited number of years” beyond 2021.
Ministry pursuing millions in garbage fees
Cayman's government is still trying to collect trash fees from a decade ago.
Lawmakers vote for mandatory fuel import price reveal
Cayman Islands lawmakers Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that seeks to force fuel importers to reveal their pricing structure for gasoline and diesel fuel shipped to the islands, massively increasing fines for noncompliance in the process.
Liquor license holders get extended 'grace period'
Cayman Islands liquor license holders who do not currently own or operate a liquor-related business will now get up to five years to retain those licenses, during which time they can apply for a business license.
Big crowd hears George Town plans
Government plans to buy out some landowners and demolish buildings to make way for a new road layout in central George Town.
Business in brief
Free small business workshops; Ogier awards annual scholarship in Cayman Islands; Cayman Insurance Centre’s life agents receive top honors; Cayman Enterprise City receives Investment Environment Award;
Chinese slowdown to hit Cayman, Canada
China’s slowing economy will hit the developed world, and no country harder than Canada, according to Yale economist Vikram Mansharamani.
Demand for turtle meat constant since 1990s
The demand for turtle meat has remained relatively constant since 1996, with about a third of Cayman’s households consuming turtle in the past year.
Doctor's rides keep medicine at bay
Medical practitioners theoretically know all the healthy habits they should adhere to, but do not necessarily do so. Dr. Rachel Gooden follows her own medical advice, though.
Dock protest draws 250-300
About 250 to 300 people, many of them holding placards expressing their objections, braved blistering-hot late-afternoon sun to attend the protest held at the waterfront across from Cardinall Avenue.
Premier: Government ‘out of patience’ with fuel companies
Legislation that will require Cayman’s two major fuel distributors to reveal specific pricing information on gasoline and diesel shipments was approved in a key vote last week, but certain details of the bill remain to be hammered out in a Legislative Assembly committee Monday prior to its final passage.
Grooming the male of the species
Men are definitely paying more attention to the way they present themselves, so we talked to some local purveyors who cater to the groomed male.
Lionfish cook-off is highlight of weekend cull
Lionfish culling tournament and cookoff takes place this weekend, hosted by C.U.L.L.
Auditor general report: Government revenue collection ‘open to abuse’
Poor record keeping and a lack of specific criteria for waiving government fees leaves the “revenue collection operations open to abuse,” according to the acting auditor general.
Bridge Foundation gives residents new lease on life
The Bridge Foundation provides transitional housing for men and women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Residents of the foundation’s houses in West Bay – the Anchor House for men, and the Beacon House for women – like to call it their little piece of heaven off of Hell Road.
Hall's brace was first of many
The women’s football season kicked off with the Charity Shield over the weekend and the player who most impressed was Sunset’s Martha Hall, whose two goals made all the difference.
Police and DoE team up in East End
Environment officers are teaming up with police to help improve enforcement of conservation laws in the eastern districts.
Bleaching hits Cayman corals
Coral bleaching around Grand Cayman has become so dramatic that last week the police helicopter crew called the Department of Environment, concerned about what was going on in the water just off South Sound.
Permanent residence grants: The number is still zero
More than 500 people have applied for permanent residence status under the new Cayman Islands Immigration Law in the past two years. This is how many people have been granted PR status under the new law: Zero.
Sunday games return with delayed cup final
The Sunday Football League returns to action this weekend with DHL Express as its new leading sponsor.
Business in brief
KeyTech Ltd. and CellOne to combine operations; The Security Centre Ltd. celebrates new office opening; Cayman Finance’s student program a success; Harneys opens Bermuda office; Maples and Calder grants scholarships to six Caymanians; Caymanian seconded to Intertrust Hong Kong
Cayman Trusts Law needs to evolve, trust lawyers say
The Cayman Islands Trusts Law is in urgent need of modernization, particularly with regard to the treatment of U.S. beneficiaries of a trust, trust lawyers said at the Mourant Ozannes Trusts and Private Client Conference.
Chamber offers workshops for small businesses
The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce is starting a series of free monthly workshops to assist small businesses.
Cruise ship dock business case predicts up to US$439 million benefit
The final business case for the cruise pier project estimates a potential economic upside of some US$439 million over 20 years for the Cayman Islands.
Even if the worst economic impacts associated with the loss of reefs in George Town harbor were realized, consultant PwC concluded in its report that the project would still deliver a net benefit to the economy of US$112 million.
Amnesty offered to unlicensed room renters
Anyone renting rooms to tourists through home sharing sites like Airbnb has been offered an “amnesty” until the end of the year, before government begins cracking down on unlicensed properties.
Banking on weed a risky business
Providing banking services to a growing number of legitimate marijuana operations in the U.S. would still be considered money laundering in the Cayman Islands, an international expert warned Friday.
Powder on streets turns out to be runners' club marker
Confectioner sugar dropped on sidewalks in George Town sparks police alert.
One couple gives big to cancer fundraiser
The annual Breast Cancer Gala Dinner is an opportunity for people to open their hearts – and their wallets – to help support local charities that work to prevent and treat breast cancer.
Open-plan classrooms a problem at Clifton Hunter
School administrators are tailoring the timetable at Clifton Hunter High School to help cope with teaching problems caused by the open-plan classroom layout, described as an “urgent problem” by inspectors.
An inspection report on the school highlighted the experimental layout at the new $110 million facility as a barrier to improvement.
Pharmacist donates to East End school
East End Primary School’s after-school program has been given a boost with a $3,600 donation from Donald McLean of Health Care Pharmacy.
McKeeva Bush: Government ‘undermining’ Public Accounts Committee
The Progressives-led government is making a “direct attempt” to undermine the functions of the Legislative Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, weakening good governance standards in the Cayman Islands, Opposition Leader McKeeva Bush said Tuesday.
Moxam grabs grappling gold
The Cayman Fight Factory members have been busy recently, and none more so than Flloyd Moxam, who last week won a gold medal in a grappling event in Florida.
OECD releases measures to curb corporate tax avoidance
The OECD presented a final set of measures that seek to reform international tax rules to close gaps and inconsistencies that allow corporate profits to “disappear” or to be artificially shifted to jurisdictions with low or no taxation.
Report: Frank Sound farm cleared of arsenic poisoning
The Pan American Health Organization has issued a clean bill of health to the 14.5-acre Powell family farm in Frank Sound, declaring arsenic levels in soil and groundwater within acceptable limits.
Shark diving: Should Cayman take the bait?
The Cayman Islands could be missing out on an economic and conservation opportunity by maintaining its ban on shark diving, according to experts.
US healthcare reform has ripple effects for Cayman captives
The U.S. Affordable Care Act and the consolidation it has caused in the healthcare industry is also having an impact on the number of healthcare captives in Cayman.
Amid the seaweed, a weird and wonderful world
The invasion of sargassum may be putting off tourists, but it is also bringing some interesting new visitors to Cayman’s shores.
Gladys Howard remembered for her contribution and cheer
Remembered as one of Little Cayman’s biggest cheerleaders, an environmentalist and friend, Gladys Howard passed away Saturday in Texas. She was 83.
Seaweed invasion continues
The sargassum seaweed invasion of Seven Mile Beach is likely to be over by Wednesday.
