Topic: environment
To kill a green iguana
Human beings are notorious for — and notoriously bad at — manipulating Nature to suit their temporal whims. In other words, playing God. Hubris has brought down greater and wiser men than we ...
Details revealed for new, expanded HospiceCare home
Details of the new Seven Mile Beach home for Cayman HospiceCare have emerged, pegging the worth of the project at $3 million, and at least doubling the size of the present facility.
Government IT systems open to 'threats from attack'
Auditors say Cayman's government put sensitive information and operations at risk by ignoring IT problems for years.
Government gives green light to George Town cruise dock
Plans for a new cruise port in George Town harbor will move forward, Premier Alden Mclaughlin announced Wednesday afternoon.
Mr. McLaughlin said government had considered the environmental and economic implications and agreed to allow the project to proceed to the next stage.
$200K project planned to control iguana pest
Sniffer dogs and marksmen could be used in separate initiatives to fight a growing problem with green iguanas in Grand Cayman and on the Sister Islands.
Summer intern builds on museum experience
When she applied for an internship at the Cayman National Museum, Kierstin Stewart wanted to find out what aspect of the islands’ history visitors found most interesting. What she got was a closer look at her own cultural heritage.
Residents warned over renting rooms to tourists
Officials are clamping down on Cayman Islands residents who rent spare rooms to tourists using home-sharing websites such as Airbnb.
Coral relocation impact questioned
Members of the National Conservation Council have questioned the feasibility of coral relocation as a means of offsetting the destruction of reefs in George Town harbor for a proposed cruise pier construction project.
Bill seeks to eliminate liquor license 'black market'
Sweeping changes proposed for Cayman’s Liquor Licensing Law seek to end what government and business leaders have often described as the “black market” for liquor licenses.
Students awarded in regional poster competition
Clifton Hunter High School student Anissa Hoyte and Cayman Prep and High School student Tijana Parker have been recognized for their entries in the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Environmental Poster Competition.
Coral relocation possible, consultant says
Just under a third of the corals in the proposed construction site for a new cruise berthing facility in George Town harbor could be relocated, according to a marine consultant’s survey.
The survey, involving scientific divers and sonar imaging of the sea floor, was commissioned to get a more precise estimate of the number of corals that would be impacted by the project.
The report concludes that around 391,000 hard corals and 61,000 soft corals will be affected over 11 acres.
Morris wants a total revamp
Cayman’s national cricket team performed so badly at the ICC World Cricket League Division 6 tournament in England two weeks ago that a revamp of the system is an absolute necessity, according to the team’s spin bowler Alessandro Morris.
Cummings never stops tri-ing
Triathlon organizers used to boast that their sport is the fastest growing in the world. That may indeed be case in the Cayman Islands as every other athlete seems to be lured into the swim, bike and run event. Daniel Cummings is a typical new convert.
Department of Environment director speaks out on cruise port project
The environmental consequences of proceeding with the cruise berthing project will still be “extremely dire” even if mitigation measures are deployed, the director of the Cayman Islands Department of Environment has warned.
Reef restoration in home stretch but volunteers still needed
It’s been a long, hard road, but organizers and volunteers of the “Magic Reef” restoration say their work on repairing the coral reef damaged by a cruise ship anchor drop more than a year ago is paying off.
School illness report inconclusive
A report into an outbreak of sickness at Red Bay Primary found an ice machine leak to be the "more likely" cause of the illness.
Turtle hatchlings killed in beach bonfire
Volunteers made the heartbreaking discovery of the charred remains of dozens of tiny turtle hatchlings on a Grand Cayman beach.
Dailey promotes kids riding more
The vibrant Cayman cycling scene is gradually attracting youngsters into the sport, which was an obvious fact at last week’s time trial.
Proud of Them: Chanelle Monique Scott recognized for academic achievements
Chanelle Monique Scott, 15, of Bodden Town, received the Proud of Them award for her achievements in academics.
Report: Faulty ice machine may be cause of Red Bay school illnesses
Investigators have identified a faulty ice machine as the “more likely”
cause of a mass outbreak of illness at Red Bay Primary School earlier
this month.
Inductees, honorees to be added to Scuba Hall of Fame
Inductees and honorees to be celebrated at 2015 International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame event on Oct 2.
British Schools Fair this week
Seventeen schools will be featured at a British Schools Fair at the Westin resort on Friday and Saturday.
Cause of Red Bay Primary School illness still unknown
Two weeks after more than 100 students and teachers at Red Bay Primary School were taken ill after eating lunch, little information about the cause of the outbreak has been released.
Fishermen object to marine parks plan
Department of Environment officials this week brought their proposals for an enhanced system of marine parks to West Bay, where they received a less-than-enthusiastic response from fishermen.
Wrecked cars often left by roadside
The responsibility for removing cars wrecked in some road accidents falls to the owners, police say.
Air traffic trainees off to Trinidad
Two air traffic control trainees from Cayman Brac left for Trinidad and Tobago last week to begin four months of intensive training, according to the Cayman Islands Airports Authority.
'Brilliant' civil servant, 60, found dead at home
Astley McLaughlin, a retired Cayman Islands government worker, was found dead in his Beach Bay home over the weekend by a family member.
Resurgence in Little Cayman turtle nesting
A record number of turtle nests have been recorded in Little Cayman this year. Researchers have counted 156 nests on the island so far this nesting season.
Women Who Care attracts 300 members
A new charity group in Cayman called 100 Women Who Care has already exceeded its nominal number by attracting more than 300 members – before it holds its first meeting.
Conservation Council criticizes port plan
The National Conservation Council has criticized the cruise berthing proposal for George Town harbor, citing concerns with the economic costs and environmental damage.
Investigation into Red Bay illnesses continues
Officials are still waiting for conclusive test results as to the cause
of the recent outbreak of illness at Red Bay Primary School, according
to a press statement released by the government Friday.
Spectacular coral spawning delights divers
Like “snowflakes in reverse,” tiny bundles of coral spawn drift to the ocean’s surface. It is the moment of conception for new coral reefs that will form over hundreds of years in the waters around the Cayman Islands.
We support the George Town dock
The proposed George Town cruise berthing facility constitutes the largest public works project in the history of the Cayman Islands. The consequences of pursuing, or not pursuing, the dock will be with us for generations.
Texas family finds ‘pennies from heaven’ at Cayman grave
Every year Verna and Cal Rutherford from Port Arthur, Texas, visit Cayman to tidy up Mrs. Rutherford’s family’s cemetery plot on Monument Road.
Business in brief
RBC Royal Bank launches private banking; interns get work experience at LIME; Mourant Ozannes expands Hong Kong practice; Appleby acted for holdings firm in Hong Kong listing
Enterprise City gives office space to marine institute
The Central Caribbean Marine Institute will have a Grand Cayman presence in the special economic zone.
More than 100 primary students fall ill at school
More than 100 students at Red Bay Primary School fell ill after the school’s lunch period on Wednesday afternoon.
Positive signs for Caribbean economy
A recently published Caribbean Market Update has offered good news for the Caribbean economy.
The evidence – and the waste – pile up
The latest in a series of reports has been released on the conditions at the George Town landfill. Here’s the abbreviated version: It’s poisonous. It smells. And it’s ugly.
Arsenic test results incomplete, questions remain
Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose has released an “update” on July’s probe of arsenic contamination at a Frank Sound farm near Clifton Hunter High School but has declined to describe the results.
Latest landfill report cites multiple risks
Fires, combustible and poisonous gases, and offensive odors are again pointed out as the risks and nuisances associated with the George Town landfill in the latest of a series of reports about dump sites in the Cayman Islands.
The report, by U.K. consultants Amec Foster Wheeler, is based on data collected from monitoring and surveying in April 2014. The report is dated Aug. 3, but it was not made public until Aug. 28.
An argument AGAINST the Labour Relations Bill
An argument against the proposed Labour Relations Bill, 2015 submitted by James Bergstrom.
An argument FOR the Labour Relations Bill
An argument for the proposed Labour Relations Bill, 2015 submitted by George R. Ebanks.
Kimpton hotel aims for November 2016 opening
Building work on the Kimpton hotel on Seven Mile Beach is on schedule, project managers say, and the hotel is poised to open on Nov. 1, 2016.
Public invited to consult on marine parks proposal
The Ministry of the Environment will begin seeking public input next month on proposals for an enhanced system of marine parks.
YMCA to run government after-school program
The YMCA of the Cayman Islands will run the Ministry of Education’s Extended After School Care Programme, which serves 1,500 children.
Business in brief
A roundup of local business briefs.
Cayman tourism: On cable cars and cruise ships
At birthday parties, on bar stools and around the office water cooler, a popular topic of conversation in recent days has been the idea floated by a Cayman Islands businessman to bring cruise passengers into George Town via a sophisticated system of cable cars.
Despite deadline, cash transfers will continue
Cash transfer companies Jamaica National, MoneyGram and Quick Cash will only accept US dollar from today.
Cable car solution proposed for cruise port
A novel new concept to use cable cars to bring cruise passengers into George Town has been put forward as an eleventh hour solution for the port project.
The design would involve two dock platforms close to the reef line, where the ships drop anchor.
Young Caymanians embrace a sustainable future
Thirteen teenagers learned about sustainability and environmental issues thanks to United World Colleges.
The price of ‘price regulation’ is too high
Price regulation on gasoline is not something the government should implement in a free-market society.
Impact of port construction highlighted
The negative impact of the estimated three-year construction period for the proposed cruise berthing facility in George Town harbor should not be underestimated, according to a new review from the Environmental Assessment Board.
Land crab study under way
A new research study will look at land crab populations in the Cayman Islands.
Cayman's safety: Our islands' greatest asset
Providing an environment that is both safe and perceptually safe is paramount in enticing new visitors to the Cayman Islands and in attracting the kind of talent needed to stay competitive in our financial services industry.
The Turtle Farm: A $30,000-a-day national meal
The Cayman Turtle Farm’s annual report has arrived. It contains bad news, and good news … sort of.
Youth stars set for Samoa Games
The Cayman Islands national team competing at the Samoa 2015 V Commonwealth Youth Games has been announced by the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association.
Cayman's fine-feathered friends
In the Cayman Islands, there are some unique opportunities for the popular pastime of bird watching. Cayman is home to more than 230 resident and migratory species – and a great variety can be spotted right in the gardens of island residences.
Rescued turtle killed in suspected second poaching incident
A large green turtle rescued from poachers in West Bay has been found dead in the ocean - apparently the victim of a second poaching incident.
Consultants: Alternate cruise port sites worse than GT
Consultants say there would be 20 times more environmental damage as a result of the dredging required if cruise piers were built in South Sound or West Bay instead of George Town harbor.
Fishermen warned over illegal shark fishing
Fishermen have been warned that catching sharks is now illegal in the Cayman Islands under the new National Conservation Law.
Seaman's son dedicates his call to the Bar
Cayman’s newest attorney, an aeronautical communications engineer and son of a seaman, was called to the Bar of the Cayman Islands last week.
Majority of public submissions oppose cruise pier construction
An overwhelming majority of those who responded during a public consultation on the proposed cruise berthing project oppose the $150 million plan for new piers in George Town harbor.
Of the 473 public comments received by the Department of Environment, 347 objected to the project, 111 expressed support, and 15 were either neutral or undecided.
Missing part of cruise pier report published
Facing pressure from pro cruise port campaigners, government has released a draft of a management plan aimed at reducing environmental damage during the construction phase of the controversial project.
Seaweed a bane for swimmers, fishermen
Huge mats of seaweed washing up on some of Cayman’s beaches and floating near shore are presenting major challenges for beachgoers, boaters and fishermen.
Cayman is not the only island in the Caribbean being impacted by this tangled mess of seaweed. It is an issue on coasts throughout the entire region, according to the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute.
The 'Port Report': 'Omission' or 'Commission'?
The withholding and late release of a section of the cruise berthing facility impact report has left the government open to allegations of manipulation and opaqueness, ironically, amidst a public consultation process intended to ensure accountability and transparency.
Children's Corner at hospital gets makeover
The children’s corner at General Practice Clinic is now a fun and colorful space for youngsters getting medical attention at Health Services Authority.
'Magic' act a class act: Time to take a bow
We'll take this opportunity to give a pat on the back to the Magic Reef Restoration Project and its volunteers.
19 students intern at CUC for summer
Nineteen students are participating in a vocational and internship program at Caribbean Utilities Company this summer.
Prune app may take you to a state of Zen
The "Prune" app is like yoga for the mind, allowing you to trim trees into beautiful shapes that blossom under the sun's rays.
Arsenic test results due in August; waste removal starts
Health inspectors have gone home and environmental officials have removed a truckload of bulk waste while Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose awaits results of arsenic testing on a Frank Sound farm.
An argument for cruise berthing facilities
An argument for why the Cayman Islands needs a cruise berthing facility.
