High of 86 Low of 74 Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. EDITORIAL | PAGE 4 IN SEARCH OF SARGASSUM SOLUTIONS WORLD | PAGE 9 CLASHES ROCK VENEZUELA AS GUAIDO URGES UPRISING ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019 Cayman may be spot of hope in coral survival CANNABIS OIL A GROWING OPTION FOR DOCTORS AND VETS JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com More than 500 patients and at least a dozen dogs have been prescribed medical cannabis since it was made legal in the Cayman Islands two years ago. Medical professionals say the drug has over- come some ‘stigma’ to become more accepted by patients and doctors. Cannabis oil, legal in Cayman as a prescribed drug since May 2017, is primarily used for pain management. Kevin Gipple, a clinical compounding pharma- cist at the CTMH Doctors Hospital, said it was frequently prescribed to patients suffering from pain associated with conditions such as including diabetes and multiple sclerosis, as well as for nausea in patients undergoing chemotherapy. He said it had also been prescribed for anx- iety and a host of other conditions. Vets are also finding it an increasingly useful treatment – in much higher doses – for dogs suffering from pain associated with arthritis or cancer. Colin Manson, of Kman Vets, said it was working with local pharmacies to offer cannabis oil as an option to its patients. In the longer term, the practice plans to source cannabidiol (CBD) oil from a supplier that produces cannabis-based products specifically for dogs. David Pellow, owner of Caribbean Medical Dis- tributors, the largest importer of medical can- nabis in the Cayman Islands, said the rate of use of cannabis oil, in its various forms, appeared to be increasing. He said his business, which ac- counts for an estimated 90% of the import market, had provided, through 10 different pharmacies it works with, cannabis oil to just over 500 patients in the two years it has been operating. Shark deaths a concern for researchers MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands may represent a hope spot when it comes to coral survival. Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley, a sci- entist with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences who visited the Cen- tral Caribbean Marine Institute in Little Cayman for several days recently, said the islands’ reefs have fared better than some other places in the Caribbean and around the world when it comes to coral health. Studying conditions here and the resilience of local species may provide clues for managing coral in other ocean environments, she said. The researcher was here to dis- cuss possible collaboration on a pro- ject with CCMI. In a lecture last week at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, Good- body-Gringley discussed her research on deep water corals and studying how corals manage the stress of changes in water temperature. That research has focused primarily on deep water corals, specifically great star coral, which live at a depth of JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com When there is a shark attack in the Cayman Islands, the victim is invari- ably the fish. Killed for ‘sport or out of spite’, four sharks have been found dead in Cayman Islands waters over the past two months. There is also evidence that a blacktip shark that had been tagged and was being tracked by the Department of Envi- ronment as part of a research project was also injured, possibly fatally. Despite becoming a protected species in the territory since the introduction of the National Conservation Law, sharks continue to be targeted. Johanna Kohler, a shark research of- ficer with the Department of Environment, said the numbers were actually lower than at the same time last year, when 10 shark deaths had been reported to the de- partment through the end of March. She said, “I am happy that it is less than last year but it is still very con- cerning because sharks are a protected species in the Cayman Islands.” Kohler said characteristics including slow growth rate, late maturation and relatively low abundance, made sharks extremely vulnerable to fishing pressure, A diver explores a reef on Little Cayman. A visiting marine scientist says studying conditions on coral reefs in the Cayman Islands and the resilience of local species may provide clues for managing coral in other ocean environments. - PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Cayman’s sharks, like this tagged Caribbean reef shark that inhabits the waters off East End, are important apex predators for the local marine environment. – PHOTO: CLAIRE FLETCHER PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS BREAKTHROUGH (PG) 1:25 I 4:10 I 7:15 I 10:00 SUN: 4:10 I 7:15 I 10:00 KALANK (PG) 3:10 I 9:00 (SAT ONLY) I 9:30 (NO SAT) SUN: 3:10 I 9:20 LITTLE (PG13) 12:30 I 3:25 (SAT ONLY) I 3:50 (NO SAT) 6:50 I 9:45 SUN: 3:50 I 6:50 I 9:35 DUMBO(PG) 10:30 (SAT ONLY) I 4:35 I 7:15 (NO SAT) SUN: 4:35 I 7:15 CAPTAIN MARVEL(PG13) 1:40 I 10:00 (NO SAT) SUN: 6:30 I 10:00 THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA (R) 1:10 VIP I 4:35 I 7:00 VIP I 10:15 HELLBOY (R) 12:35 (SAT ONLY) I 1:00 I 6:10 (SAT ONLY) I 6:45 SHAZAM! (PG13) 1:30 I 3:40 VIP I 7:15 I 9:30 VIP SUN: 3:40 VIP I 4:40 I 6:40 VIP • Matinees Daily (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00, Mon-Fri Before 6pm • Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. - WEDNESDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) AVENGERS: END GAME (PG13) 12:30 VIP I 1:00 I 2:50 I 5:00 3D 6:30 3D I 9:00 I 9:50 VIP BREAKTHROUGH (PG) 12:40 I 3:45 I 6:50 I 9:40 THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA (R) 12:30 I 4:05 I 10:20 LITTLE (PG13) 1:45 I 4:30 I 7:25 I 10:00 CAPTAIN MARVEL (PG13) 1:10 SHAZAM! (PG13) 6:45 I 9:45 3.2% -0.4% -7.2% -2.7% 1.2% 1.2% 1.3% 2.7% 2.8% 3.1% 3.0% 20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017 Cayman Islands: Growth in Real GDP 2007 - 2017 CHEFS GATHER FOR ‘AROUND THE TABLE’ EVENT Some of Cayman’s top chefs will get together at The Ritz-Carlton on Thursday evening, May 2, to serve up some mouth-watering dishes and help out the islands’ up- and-coming young culinary talents at the same time. The Ritz-Carlton will host the second annual ‘Around the Table’ event to raise funds for the National Youth Culinary Programme. Chefs from several of Cay- man’s best restaurants will serve up their creations at a family-style dinner at the ho- tel’s Harbour Club. The evening will feature dishes from Chef Thomas Ten- nant, as well as from chefs at The Ritz-Carlton, Cracked Conch, the Kimpton Seafire, Ragazzi, Nyamaste, Saucha and the Cayman Culinary So- ciety. Desserts will be provided by the Marriott, the Westin, Agua and Mise en Place. Young chefs from the National Youth Culinary Programme will also be cooking for the guests, serving up a jerk chicken dish. The dinner will be accom- panied by wines provided by Premier, Celebrations will set up the venue, and all Ritz- Carlton employees will be working on a voluntary basis on the night. Proceeds from the event, which begins at 6:30pm, will go towards funding the cu- linary programme students who will compete regionally against other aspiring Car- ibbean chefs in Barbados this summer. At last year’s culinary competition in Barbados, the Cayman team brought home a silver trophy for their overall performance, as well as individual gold and bronze medals. For tickets for ‘Around the Table’, which cost $150, call 815-6912. Man found dead in Bodden Town home A 51-year-old Jamaican man was found unrespon- sive Tuesday morning in his Bodden Town area home, police said. He was later pronounced dead. Police said they received a call shortly before 8am from the man’s co-workers after he did not show up for work. When they arrived at the man’s home on Bodden Town Road, officers said they could see the man in- side but he did not respond to their calls. They forced entry into the home. Police declined to say if the death was suspicious, but they are investigating it. A spokesman said an inves- tigation is normal in such cases. The man’s name has not been released yet. Students learn about counterfeit issues Clifton Hunter High School students learned about trademark and coun- terfeit issues on Tuesday. Shantel Ritch, Victoria Whittaker and Larissa Ben- nett of law firm HSM IP Ltd. presented the International Trademark Association’s ‘Unreal Campaign’ to more than 150 students at the North Side school. The Unreal Campaign is a consumer awareness programme aimed at edu- cating teenagers about the importance of trademarks, intellectual property and the dangers of counter- feit products. Ritch, Whittaker and Bennett, who are intellec- tual property assistants, explained the importance of registering trademarks, which can be a word, de- sign, service mark, building shape and more. They also stressed the economic im- pacts of people purchasing knock-off products and how these inferior products can affect people’s health and safety, a press release from HSM IP stated. As part of the presen- tation, the students took part in a game called ‘spot a fake’, where they had to guess between two similar looking products and iden- tify the reasons as to why one of them was the fake. This was the fifth time HSM IP, a specialist intel- lectual property law prac- tice in Cayman, presented the Unreal Campaign. The last presentation took place on Nov. 29 at the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC). “We are proud to once again put on this presen- tation for our local com- munity,” HSM IP Managing Partner Huw Moses said in the release. “It is important to get the word out on the negative effects of counter- feit products that not only harm business owners but consumers as well.” Ritz-Carlton chefs at last year’s ‘Around the Table’ event. - PHOTO: KATIE O’NEILL HSM IP assistants, from left, Victoria Whittaker, Shantel Ritch and Larissa Bennett, get ready to present the ‘Unreal Campaign’ at Clifton Hunter High School on Tuesday. Chefs from several of Cayman’s best restaurants will serve up their creations at a family-style dinner at the hotel’s Harbour Club.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019 Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus. It can cause chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis B is most commonly spread from mother to child at birth, or through horizontal transmission especially from an infected child to an uninfected child during the first 5 years of life. The best way to protect against Hepatitis B is by getting the Hepatitis B vaccine. Doctors recommend that all children get the vaccine. * At birth 1st dose in hospital within 24 hours * 6 weeks 2nd dose (along with BCG and 1st dose Rotavirus vaccine) * 9 months 3rd dose HBV Why should my child get the Hepatitis B Vaccine? Prevents your child from developing liver disease and cancer from Hepatitis B. Protects other people from the disease because children with Hepatitis B usually don’t have symptoms, but they may pass the disease to others without anyone knowing they were infected. Is the Hepatitis B shot safe? The Hepatitis B vaccine is very safe, and it is effective at preventing Hepatitis B. Vaccines, like any medicine, can have side effects. But serious side effects caused by the Hepatitis B vaccine are extremely rare. What are the side effects? Most people who get the Hepatitis B vaccine will have no side effects at all. When side effects do occur, they are often very mild, such as a low fever (less than 101 degrees) or a sore arm from the shot. The baby will also need to complete the full Hepatitis B vaccination series for best protection. A vaccine against Hepatitis B has been available since 1982. The vaccine is 95% effective in preventing infection and the development of chronic disease and liver cancer due to Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B Vaccine Dose at Birth It’s hard to imagine putting your newborn through the pain of a shot. But a little stick early in life is an important first step to protecting your baby against a deadly disease. All babies should get the first shot of Hepatitis B vaccine in the first 24 hours after birth. This shot acts as a safety net, reducing the risk of getting the disease from moms or family members who may not know they are infected with Hepatitis B. When a mom has Hepatitis B, there is an additional medicine that is given to infants in the first 12 hours of their life. This medication that can help to protect the baby against Hepatitis B, is called the Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG). HBIG gives a baby’s body a “boost” or extra help to fight the virus as soon as he/she is born. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B? Infants and young children usually show no symptoms. But, in about 7 out of 10 older children and adults, recent Hepatitis B infection causes: Loss of appetite, fever, tiredness, pain in muscles, joints and stomach, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, dark urine, yellow skin and eyes. These symptoms usually appear 3 or 4 months after a person gets the virus. Is it serious? Hepatitis B can be very serious. There is no cure for Hepatitis B, but treatment can help prevent serious problems. People with lifelong Hepatitis B usually don’t have symptoms, the virus causes liver damage over time and could lead to liver cancer. For Further information Women’s Health 244-2649 Public Health Department 244-2648 Paediatric Clinic 244-2528 Paediatric Acute Walk-in Clinic at H.S.A Monday 9.30am-11:45am Tuesday 10.00am-11:45am Wednesday 1:30pm-3:45pm Friday 10.00am-11:45am Hepatitis B Vaccine for Infants Information you need to know Cayman Islands Health Services Authority 95 Hospital Road, Grand Cayman | Tel: (345) 949-8600 | Email: info@hsa.ky | www.hsa.ky The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion & Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Caymanian Compass Limited Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com ADVERTISE WITH US: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EXECUTIVE EDITOR PATRICK BRENDEL A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” Officials are wise to seek effective solutions to deal with our islands’ least-favourite repeat visitor: sargassum. As Tim Austin, deputy director of the Department of Environment, told the Compass, “This is a problem that is here to stay.” Since 2011, our islands have been subjected to periodic sargassum invasions. Researchers expect that will only continue, as a warming sea breeds ever-larger blooms and ocean currents steer the occasional mats of the floating seaweed to our shores. Beached sargassum, while generally harmless to human health, clogs our clear waters and interferes with the enjoyment of our beautiful coastline. After a short time on shore, the sodden stuff begins to smell. When inundations occur frequently, are sufficiently severe or poorly managed, the messy nuisance has been known to negatively impact tourism sectors on other islands. Last September, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association surveyed its members about the tourism effects of sargassum. Some hotels advised the industry group that they’d been receiving ques- tions and even some cancellations from would-be guests who did not want to risk their perfect beach vacation being sullied by a soggy and smelly blanket of brown seaweed. So it is good to hear that the DoE and the Recrea- tion, Parks and Cemeteries Unit are ready and able to help clear seaweed and advise on clean-up methods that minimise damage to beaches and protect turtle nests. The DoE is working with other government agencies to expedite approval for businesses to use heavy equipment to clear beaches of sargassum. Property owners and community members also have an important role to play. The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association offers tips for mitigating sargassum events without causing long-term damage to fragile beaches, having pub- lished a resource guide which includes best practises for their public and private partners. In it, the associa- tion advises tracking potential inundations through the Sargassum Early Advisory System and raking the sar- gassum manually, whenever feasible, and disposing of it responsibly – a task that can be as simple as carting the seaweed further up the beach and covering it with a layer of sand. It recommends community clean-up days to manage larger inundations, which help educate and empower the public and can even be used to raise money for charitable causes. They advise that some hotels and tour operators have invited guests to join clean-up efforts, too. The association writes, “All sectors will be affected if local solution-based measures are not identified and collective efforts are not undertaken to proactively address the problem. All have a stake, so all should be involved in the cause.” It also points to a silver lining, in the form of entre- preneurial opportunities. The nutrient-rich sargassum can be used as an inexpensive, sustainable source of landfill, helping prevent erosion. When it is rinsed of salt and dried, sargassum can make excellent fertiliser and compost for landscaping and gardens. Cayman cannot control the ocean currents that occasionally steer sargassum in our direction, but working together, we can be prepared with a quick, efficient and effective response when it does. In search of sargassum solutions WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS Remembering Sir Alister McIntyre HILARY BECKLES I was but a rookie, in University of the West In- dies years, when Sir Alister McIntyre, after blazing a global trail, wheeled and returned to the realm as a Caribbean colossus to serve us as Vice Chancellor. The timing was perfect. His pres- ence powerful and turbu- lent. Together, they consti- tuted an image reflective of the ground scorching cover drive we had come to expect of Viv Richards. His reputation, sown in the richest soils of Carib- bean scholarship and ma- tured in cut and trust of post-colonial regional po- litical governance, was re- spected and celebrated in the global corridors of the United Nations. No one doubted that he was a no- nonsense transformative leader. He arrived at the Mona campus in the August of 1988, but his identity had departed from Geneva for Kingston in May while the poui bloomed; colourful ru- mours of his selection were everywhere. It was a most extraordi- nary summer. The West In- dies cricketers defeated Eng- land 4-0 in the Test series, against the background of two successive 5-0 ‘black washing’. It was the climax of the 50th anniversary cel- ebrations of the University’s service to the region. It was the 20th anniversary of the purging of Walter Rodney from the home campus, an action that opened up in a biblical discursive fashion; what wrong had this bril- liant man done to deserve such drastic treatment? And, as fate would have it, Sir Alister arrived at the crease to find that not only was the wicket slippery, but the dark clouds were gathering and the skies were about to open up. Some called it ‘an act of God’. We named it Gilbert. Its fury found and focused upon Jamaica while the Vice Chancellor was meeting and greeting his colleagues. It blew the roof off the Mona campus. It was not personal; it was Sept. 12. Thirty-six years had passed since King- ston had felt such ferocity. History and hurricane had huddled to greet the arrival of the man tipped to bring the winds of change. Trapped between the looming legacies of the Rodney Affair and the im- mediacy of Gilbert’s despair, the goodly Sir erupted like the Soufrière he knew. He took control of the crease and stamped his authority at the wicket. The pace of his institutional reforms and transformation was hot like fire. I was his Dean of Hu- manities at the distant Cave Hill campus long consid- ered in the periphery. He was urged by his cabinet to slow it down, but he had no time for medium pace or middle thinking. He was in a hurry. West Indian society, he said, had no time to waste. In short order, the mod- ernisation of the UWI had begun. He assembled his leadership team to transform its academic operations, re- structure its finances, and raise the standards of aca- demic performance. The decision to explode the age-old ad hoc admin- istration of the regional in- stitution arrived with a big bang, and arising from the dust was something sensa- tional–systematic five-year strategic planning. Leading from the front as a devel- opment economist, he took senior and middle manage- ment into brainstorming re- treats to put the Jurassic world behind us. The Uni- versity took a giant leap into the world of hands-on development. University degrees were franchised to their com- munity colleagues. He de- manded a distance educa- tion revolution to facilitate human resource develop- ment. He developed an access to higher education which was branded the ‘Hub and Spokes’ model; The UWI was the hub and community col- leges were the spokes. Simultaneously, he en- gaged the global space to make his case. The United Nations system was called upon to provide funding for capital works. The global pri- vate sector was tapped for support in building new dor- mitories. Within this con- text, he secured the coveted tax exemption status for the American Foundation for the UWI that has since hosted an annual fundraising gala in New York. Critically, Sir Alister moved with alacrity to insti- tutionalise a culture of for- mally rewarding academic, administrative and ser- vice efforts. The annual Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Ex- cellence have since been the benchmark for accomplish- ment recognition. In effect, what can be de- scribed as ‘The McIntyre Mo- ment’, born in a hurricane, represents the beginning of a new era. A generation of aca- demics, leaders, and ad- ministrators was schooled in the McIntyre model and mentality. His vision, and his mission, remain ro- bustly relevant. Last year, when Times Higher Education ranked the UWI among the best univer- sities worldwide, my first, visceral reaction on receiving the report, was to thank Sir Alister for insisting upon the highest standard. That, I thought, was his greatest gift to us. Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, an economic historian, is Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies. He was in a hurry. West Indian society, he said, had no time to waste. The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019 N ew C aymaN I slaNds C ampaIgN wo of Cayman’s most well-known celebrities recently joined forces to create a dreamlike image and video featured in the “Dream in Cayman” advertising campaign. Hometown supermodel Selita Ebanks captured the natural beauty and refined elegance of the islands while being shown “perched atop” another local celebrity. Peter, the bluest of blue iguanas from the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, was the perfect complement to Selita’s beauty, representing the unexpected sights Model/actress Selita Ebanks with production help from Badir Awe Peter the blue iguanaNicholas Ebanks of Blue Iguana Recovery assisting Peter and experiences awaiting visitors to Cayman. Queen Elizabeth II Royal Botanic Park employees assisted with the proper handling of Peter (and gave him his favourite morning snack of noni) to ensure he looked his blue best on camera. Not to be outdone, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales recently made a special trip to the Botanic Park for a meet-and-greet session with Peter. As of this writing, Peter has not made an official comment on which famous non-reptile encounter he relished most. T F amous l oCal s tars 6 LOCAL NEWS whose voice needs to be heard. She is a true leader, and one that fights tirelessly for the Cayman Islands community.” As Deputy Director and Child Protection and Sexu- ality Education Programme Manager, among her other duties, Ferreira coordinates the Protection Starts Here grassroots multi-agency child abuse prevention pro- ject, which was born out of the HIV and AIDS Peer Ed- ucation Programme she ran between 2002-2012 and which furthers aware- ness, education and pre- vention of child sexual abuse in Cayman. “It is really humbling to receive this type of recog- nition, especially when you consider the barriers and realities that others in the Movement are facing, like war and starvation, which are so far removed from our reality it is difficult to wrap our heads around it,” Fer- reira said in the release. “However, I was truly floored by how much trust and faith the people that I work with have put and con- tinue to put in me. While this isn’t comparable to war or other large-scale dis- asters by any means, our work is still difficult work. Dealing with child abuse is heartbreaking, demanding, sensitive and unpopular work, and I’m not even at the frontlines of it.” Obi said that while the local Red Cross branch co- ordinated Ferreira’s nomi- nation, the information and support came from outside the organisation, by mem- bers of partner agencies that have worked closely with her over the years. One such partner is In- spector Kevin Ashworth of the Family Support Unit of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and a member of the Protection Starts Here group. “She’s absolutely relent- less in her mission of child protection and advocacy, and in what she’s trying to achieve, whether at the Red Cross or as part of the PSH group. She doesn’t get put off by any negativity or back down from a chal- lenge. If she runs into a wall, she’ll just climb over it,” Ashworth said. Sophia Chandler, child psychologist for the Ser- vices Authority and a member of the PSH group, said in the release, “Ms. Fer- reira has been able to help organise a number of key organisations to come to- gether and do the work that really needs to be done as part of the PSH group. She constantly observes our community and the world around us, and leading change on a moment-by-mo- ment basis, to help people and educate the community on important issues.” Other recipients of the IFRC Commendation Awards included volunteers and staff working in war zones, with refugees and orphans, those in countries that have been hit the hardest due to climate change and who are working towards environ- mental sustainability, and those in some of the most impoverished areas of the world who are providing health and sanitation edu- cation to the most vulner- able. Recipients hailed from Yemen, Kenya, Namibia, Pa- kistan and South Sudan, among others. The four top recipients were Itidal Abdu Nasser Ahmed, a volunteer with the Yemen Red Crescent So- ciety; Shamila Dhana, a British Red Cross volunteer; Christine Nthahe, who vol- unteers with the Burundi Red Cross; and Melvine Obollah, a volunteer with the Kenya Red Cross. Conyers Dill & Pearman announced that the firm has moved to a new brand en- compassing the single word ‘Conyers’. The new brand will apply to all parts of the firm’s business, including legal, pro- fessional and client services. “Our brand change rec- ognises that Conyers is the name by which we have come to be known. As we recently celebrated our 90th anniversary, it seemed an appropriate time for a new brand identity that re- flects the modern firm we are today,” said Christian Luthi, Chairman. “We believe that the new brand will not only stand out in the multimedia mar- ketplace, but will simplify our interaction with users in the digital environment so that we can communicate more effectively with our cli- ents. We think it reflects our straightforward approach, which is focused on giving our clients timely, quality, commercially sensible and solutions-driven advice.” Conyers Dill & Pearman remains the legal name of the firm. WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS Red Cross deputy director honoured National Gallery hosts art talks The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands will be hosting several art-re- lated talks in the next week and a half. On Wednesday evening, May 1, art- ists John Broad, Suvi Hayden and Chris Mann, who are featured in the ‘Cross Currents’ exhibit now on display at the gallery, will discuss inspiration and practice. On Friday, May 3, former director of the Bermuda National Gallery, Lisa Howie, will talk about expanding and developing the Bermuda Biennial art exhibit. ‘Cross Currents’ is the first edition of what is expected to be a biennial show and part of the discussion will include how to develop and grow the biennial. Amanda Coulson, founder of the New York’s international Volta Art Fair and director of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, will lecture on ‘Making the Connecting – Accessing opportu- nities at Biennials and Art Fairs’ on Friday, May 10. All events begin at 6pm and are free and open to the public. The Cayman Islands Red Cross’s deputy director, Car- olina Ferreira, was one of 18 women out of 300 nominations worldwide who was recognised by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Cres- cent Movement. During the month of March, in celebration of Hon- ouring Women’s Day on March 8, the international organisa- tion launched a global compe- tition asking members of its 191 National Societies around the world to submit nominees to spotlight inspiring women in the areas of leadership and innovation. More than 12,500 people participated in the campaign, according to the federation. As well as honouring four ‘Inspirational and Innova- tive Winners’, the federation awarded Ferreira and 13 others Commendation Awards for their work in their communities. Fer- riera was the only recipient from the Caribbean region and one of only two recipients from the Americas region. “Ms. Ferreira is the true em- bodiment of the values and principles behind the Red Cross Movement,” Cayman Islands Red Cross Director Jondo Obi said in a press release. “She is a relentless advocate for anyone, especially children, who suffer any injustice, and is constantly working towards helping those “ [Carolina Ferreira] is a relentless advocate for anyone, especially children, who suffer any injustice, and is constantly working towards helping those whose voice needs to be heard. She is a true leader, and one that fights tirelessly for the Cayman Islands community.” JONDO OBI, Cayman Islands Red Cross Director 85-YEAR-OLD VISITOR DROWNS CONYERS UNVEILS NEW CORPORATE BRANDING An 85-year-old woman, visiting from Florida, USA, was found unresponsive at Smith Cove just after 11am Monday. Police dispatched to the hospital, where the woman was pronounced dead. There were no signs of vi- olence on her body when she was examined, police said. This is the fourth water death in the Cayman Islands the year. Two male tourists in their 60s, one from the US and one from Canada, died in January in separate inci- dents. A two-year-old child also died of drowning in Jan- uary in East End. Carolina Ferreira Cayman artist John Broad is among the speakers at the ‘Cross Currents’ lectures at the National Gallery. The offshore law firm Conyers, Dill and Pearman has rebranded to Conyers.7 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019 IMAC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS Million raised $4 48 Students Assisted Formed in 1994 For more information and to download the application form visit the IMAC Scholarship website: www.caymanintinsurance.ky For 25 years, the Insurance Managers Association of Cayman has been supporting the educational development of young Caymanians through its annual Scholarship programme. To date we have raised $4 million , enabling 48 students to pursue their studies across the globe in subjects as diverse as Business, Arts and Medicine. We are delighted to once again invite applications from students who intend to commence their studies. Applicants are free to study any course at an approved University, although preference will be given to those applying for business - related courses. IMAC is committed to awarding scholarships where they can provide the most benefit. As such, preference will be given to those without the financial means to pursue their studies. The Insurance Managers Association of Cayman would like to thank its members and partners for their generous donations. If you share our commitment to supporting the next generation through investment in education and would like to donate to the fund, please visit our website for more details. Deadline for Applications : May 17th 2019 Minister entangled in coastal works dispute KEN SILVA ksilva@pinnaclemedialtd.com Environment Minister Dwayne Seymour has been accused of failing to dis- close a conflict of interest last December, when he pre- sented a paper to Cabinet that recommended a devel- oper be granted a coastal works permit. The allegation is made in a judicial review appli- cation, which seeks to have the courts overturn a deci- sion by government to grant a coastal works permit to Marcus Cumber to construct a dock on his property at Vista del Mar. The judicial review ap- plication states that Min- ister Seymour presented a Cabinet paper last December that recommended Cumber be granted his works permit. But the minister did not dis- close in the paper that he is a business associate of Cumber, according to the court writ, which was filed by the proprietors of the nearby Salt Creek development. “The Minister who pre- sented the Cabinet Paper rec- ommending that a permit be granted is a business asso- ciate of Mr. Cumber; the Cab- inet Paper failed to declare the Minister’s relationship with Mr. Cumber; and in all the circumstances (including that relationship, the failure to declare it, the absence of reasons for the recommenda- tion in the Cabinet Paper and the absence from the relevant meeting of a key member of Cabinet) an informed and fair-minded observer would conclude that there was a real possibility that the De- cision was tainted by bias,” the judicial review applica- tion states. Cumber told the Cayman Compass he does not have any business relationship with Minister Seymour, and the minister declined to com- ment because the matter is in the court system. A Compass reporter went to the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday morning to view the register of interests to see Minister Seymour’s busi- ness interests, but was told by Serjeant-at-Arms John Kim Evans Jr. that he needed to schedule an appointment to view the register. The ear- liest available day available to see the register of inter- ests is Friday, Evans told the reporter. Cumber’s development application is to build a pri- vate dock extending 128 feet into the Salt Creek canal for the purpose of mooring his boat, according to the appli- cation, which was filed by the corporate strata and sup- ported by an affidavit filed by Donald Seymour. Along with objecting to the application on the grounds that Minister Sey- mour failed to disclose his business relationship, the judicial review application also objects to the project for other reasons, including that the dock would obstruct public access along the canal. “Contrary to [govern- ment’s] own policy, the Deci- sion would permit the con- struction of a dock extending 128 feet into Salt Creek, more than 2000% in excess of the six-foot maximum,” states the application, which is posted on the financial services site OffshoreAlert. “The Decision and Cab- inet Paper contain no reason for the departure from the Respondent’s policy, and an unreasoned departure from a policy is irrational and un- lawful,” the application docu- ment continued. A hearing date for the ju- dicial review application has not been set. Dwayne Seymour Power outage Sunday on North Sound Road The Caribbean Utili- ties Company is planning a scheduled outage for cus- tomers on North Sound Road in George Town on Sunday, May 5. Residents and businesses can expect interruptions to their service between 7am to 3pm, according to CUC, which says it is carrying out the work to facilitate re- quired overhead infrastruc- ture upgrades. Areas affected include North Sound Road between Cannon Place and Atlantic Supply Ltd. at the junction of North Sound Road and Red Gate Road. This includes Caterpillar Lane, Kentsville Drive and Beacon Furniture on Dorcy Drive. Customers on Red Gate Road and Dorcy Drive will not be affected. Residential customers on Kentsville Drive will only ex- perience a short interrup- tion to their service between 6-7am. All commercial cus- tomers will be affected for the duration of the outage. The utilities company is asking motorists to drive with caution in the area as CUC will have a number of vehicles and personnel in the area and will be deploying rumble strips and signage to manage the traffic flow. For more information on the outage and streets affected, call CUC at 949-5200 or email service@cuc.ky. Residents and businesses can expect interruptions to their service between 7am to 3pm on Sunday, May 5.The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 about 60 metres, or 200 feet. Visiting such depths requires highly specialised equipment and expertise. Corals in that environ- ment, Goodbody-Gringley said, experience less fluctu- ation in temperature than corals in shallow waters and are less susceptible to the types of bleaching events that have been seen in re- cent years. Although, some shallow water corals also seem to be less affected by such events. “There are places that are doing OK,” Goodbody- Gringley said. “We’re calling them hope spots, places like Bonaire and Curacao and Bermuda, where the coral cover has maintained. It seems like Cayman might be another place.” Goodbody-Gringley’s re- search involves determining how adaptive both these deep corals and those in shallower waters might be. So far, she’s encouraged by the data. “It suggests there is the scope for adaptation,” she said. “It’s a positive finding for the trajectory of coral survival.” In the laboratory, Good- body-Gringley said she has been able to show that the larvae of stressed adult corals develop a resistance to those stressors. She’s also looking at the way water temperature af- fects algae. Healthy corals have a symbiotic relationship with certain algaes, particu- larly Zooxanthellae. Each or- ganism benefits from the nu- trients produced by the other. The relationship goes back millions of years. When water temperature warms, however, the Zoox- anthellae begins to produce toxins that are damaging to the coral. The coral rejects the algae, which results in bleaching. The algae is what gives coral its colour. Finding algae species that are resistant to temperature change might also be a key in protecting corals, Good- body-Gringley said. Some re- searchers are currently at- tempting to develop super corals, she said, where both the coral and algae are more thermoresistant. That is important, she said, since another signifi- cant bleaching event is pre- dicted for this year. He expects that to continue to increase as doctors and patients become more familiar with how and when to use it. “Like any new product, it started slow,” he said. “It took a while for patients, as well as prescribers, to realise that this was a new tool that could be used.” Gipple said the fact that cannabis had been illegal, and is still illegal in many ju- risdictions, meant there was an absence of real clinical re- search on its effectiveness for a number of conditions. As the use of medical cannabis, particularly cannabis oil, be- comes more mainstream he expects that to change, broadening the number and variety of conditions that cannabis can be used for. For doctors and patients, there is an element of trial and error to using cannabis oil. Cannabis impacts different people in different ways de- pending on dosage, says Gipple. Doctors use a technique known as titration – starting with a low dose and steadily increasing until the patient sees an impact. It is a matter of balancing impact with side effects, in- cluding drowsiness and, in rare cases, getting ‘high’, Gipple acknowledges. He said the aim was to find the ‘sweet spot’ where the drug con- trolled the symptoms without impacting the patient’s ability to live a normal life. “One of the advantages is that it is an incredibly safe drug. It is very hard to over- dose seriously on cannabis, compared to opiates, for ex- ample,” he said. That also means it can be used as a trial option for var- ious conditions that are not currently supported by evi- dence based studies, without risk to the patient. “We are very much learning with oral cannabis. People are trying it for all sorts of different conditions, some of which there is no evi- dence for, which doesn’t mean it doesn’t work,” he added. “It’s another tool in the box,” Gipple said. “It is not the one you are going to go to first, not the one you go to last; it is an option to consider.” There are practical con- cerns, however. It is diffi- cult to travel with cannabis oil because it is not legal in many jurisdictions and is not legal to import it into the United States. Similarly, doctors advise that patients who face drug testing at work talk to their human resources depart- ments before they start using medical cannabis oil. Pellow said the evidence suggests that cannabis oil is being used responsibly in the Cayman Islands. Of the three types of can- nabis oil his company im- ports, he said, the one with the highest concentration of THC – the principal psycho- active ingredient in cannabis – was the least popular. “It is absolutely clear that the public and the medical community are using this for medicinal purposes,” he added. He said 84% of patients involved in a study con- ducted by the business had reported they felt cannabis oil had been effective for their conditions. Some patients testified that it had a life-changing impact. Gipple said some of the biggest successes had been with dogs. “What does a dog do when it is in pain? Nothing,” he said. “We have had owners report their dog has basically come back to life.” Manson, of Kman Vets, said it was becoming a new tool in pain treatment for ani- mals. He said dogs required 10 times the dosage of humans. As with people, an ab- sence of clinical trials means there is uncertainty over the effectiveness of its use in pets, but he believes it could prove effective for anxiety-re- lated disorders, such as fear of thunder or other phobias, and seizure control, as well as pain management. “Used at the much higher veterinary doses, we have found this to be a very ef- fective supplement for a number of patients with chronic and intractable os- teoarthritis or cancer pain,” Manson said. “Despite al- ready offering a wide number of pain-management medi- cations and therapeutic mo- dalities such as acupuncture and laser treatments, CBD oil has clearly found a place in pain management for our patients.” The business was recently granted a license to import Ellevet Science CBD oil prod- ucts, and expects to be able to offer the treatment option on a more frequent basis, where appropriate. WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS Cayman may be spot of hope in coral survival Cannabis oil a growing option for doctors and vets Shark deaths a concern for researchers even from accidental catch. “We are working hard to better understand our local shark popu- lation and to conserve them, so it is frustrating to see these crucially important predators being killed for sport or out of spite,” she added. In one incident from late Feb- ruary on Grand Cayman, a small silky shark became entangled in an abandoned fishing net. Another unidentified shark in Cayman Brac was found on March 15 having been severely cut. Two sharks were found dead in Cayman Brac wa- ters in April – both were lemon sharks. One suffered severe head trauma while another apparently died after being fished from the water and then kicked back into it from the dock. Two nurse sharks were injured on Grand Cayman during the same period; one was trapped in a fish pot and the other suffered a cut to its side. A blacktip shark that the DoE was tracking in Little Cayman using an acoustic monitor was also injured and its fate remains uncertain at present. “That blacktip shark was the first shark I tagged when I got to Cayman,” said Kohler. She said the shark was fitted with an acoustic tag and researchers would be monitoring data from the sensor that picks up a signal from the tag, whenever the shark comes within range, to check if it was still alive. “Shark Conservation Cayman began tracking this shark three years ago and we’ve followed its movements since,” she added. Kohler said sharks would occa- sionally be accidentally caught by fishermen. But she urged them to try to reduce the amount of time a shark was on a line and to release them quickly by cutting the hook or the line. She said it was concerning to see injuries that in some in- stances appeared to be unrelated to fishing. “The shark is obviously not eve- ryone’s favourite fish so the inci- dents where there is a random in- jury are questionable.” DoE Director Gina Ebanks- Petrie said there was no excuse for anyone to abuse or torture sharks. Elasmobranchs, the fish sub- class that includes sharks, sting- rays and skates, are protected at all times in the Cayman Is- lands. Fishing for sharks, selling their fins or meat, or deliberately harming a shark is punishable under the National Conservation Law by a substantial fine and for- feiture of the vessel and equip- ment used in the offence. DoE Manager John Bothwell said that despite their fearsome reputation, sharks play a vital role in Cayman’s waters. He said they do not diminish fish popu- lations nor compete with fish- ermen, but keep fish populations in balance by feeding on weaker, less successful marine specimens and removing them from the breeding stock. “Healthy sharks in a marine ecosystem are a positive sign of healthy coral reefs and ro- bust fish populations,” Bothwell said. “In recent years, we’ve noted more sharks in the waters around Cayman. That is leading to more interactions with fishermen and an increased number of accidental catch incidents that occur when a shark is attracted by a another struggling fish caught on a line.” Researcher Gretchen Goodbody-Gringley says the Cayman Islands may be a spot of hope for coral survival. - PHOTO: MARK MUCKENFUSS DoE Shark Project Officer Johanna Kohler tags a blacktip shark in Little Cayman during May 2016. This shark is one of those injured in recent months. – PHOTO: TIM AUSTIN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Cannabis oil, which has been legal in the Cayman Islands, as a prescribed drug since May 2017, is primarily used for pain management. - PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCKThe islands’ most-trusted news source 9 CAYMAN COMPASS • WEDNESDAY MAY 1, 2019 Israel swears in new parliament amid call for unity Members of Israel’s parliament were being sworn in Tuesday at the Knesset, the country’s legislature, three weeks after a tumultuous national election. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin delivered a message of national unity to the 120 members of parliament. The Insurance Broker for all your Insurance needs Unit# 10B Cayman Falls | P.O. Box 11118 Grand Cayman KY1-1008 Tel: 345-943-2475 | Fax: 345-943-2472 Email: info@cipil.net www.cipil.net Relax You’re with us. Clashes rock Venezuela as Guaido urges uprising CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) – Opposition leader Juan Guaido took a bold step to revive his movement to seize power in Venezuela, taking to the streets Tuesday to call for a military uprising that drew quick support from the Trump administration but fierce resistance from forces loyal to embattled socialist Nicolas Maduro. Violent street battles erupted in parts of Caracas in what was the most se- rious challenge yet to Madu- ro’s rule – kicked off with a surprise video shot at dawn of Guaidó, flanked by a group of heavily armed national guardsmen, urging a final push to topple Maduro. Still, the surprise re- bellion, dubbed ‘Operation Freedom’, seemed to have garnered only limited mili- tary support. Meanwhile, US National Security Adviser John Bolton said the Trump administra- tion was waiting for three key officials, including Ma- duro’s defence minister and head of the Supreme Court, to act on what he said were private pledges to remove Maduro. He did not pro- vide details. The dramatic events began early Tuesday when Guaido, flanked by a few dozen national guardsmen and some armoured crowd- control vehicles, released the three-minute video filmed near a Caracas air base. In a surprise, Leopoldo Lopez, his political mentor and the nation’s most-prom- inent opposition activist, stood alongside him. De- tained in 2014 for leading a previous round of anti-gov- ernment unrest. Lopez said he had been released from house arrest by security forces adhering to an order from Guaido. “I want to tell the Vene- zuelan people: This is the mo- ment to take to the streets and accompany these patri- otic soldiers,” Lopez declared. As the two opposition leaders coordinated actions from vehicles parked on a highway overpass, troops loyal to Maduro sporadically fired tear gas from inside the adjacent Carlota air base. A crowd that quickly swelled to a few thousand scurried for cover, reap- pearing later with Guaido at a nearby plaza away from the disturbances. A smaller group of masked youths stayed be- hind on the highway, lobbing rocks and Molotov cocktails towards the air base, and set- ting a government bus on fire. Amid the mayhem, some armoured utility vehicles drove at full speed into the crowd. Two demonstrators, lying on the ground with their heads and legs bloodied, were rushed away on a mo- torcycle as the vehicles sped away dodging fireballs thrown by the demonstrators. “It’s now or never,” said one of the young rebel- lious soldiers, his face cov- ered in the blue bandanna worn by the few dozen insur- gent soldiers The head of a medical centre near the street battles said doctors were treating 50 people, about half of them with injuries suffered from buckshot. At least one person had been shot with a firearm. Amid the confusion, Ma- duro tried to project an image of strength, saying he had spoken to several re- gional military commanders who reaffirmed their loyalty. “Nerves of steel!” he said in a message posted on Twitter. Flanked by top military commanders, Defence Min- ister Vladimir Padrino López condemned Guaido’s move as a “terrorist” act and “coup at- tempt” that was bound to fail like past uprisings. “Those who try to take Miraflores with violence will be met with violence,” he said on national television, referring to the presidential palace where hundreds of government supporters, some of them brandishing firearms, had gathered in response to a call to defend Maduro. Small groups of protesters threw up blockades of de- bris at downtown intersec- tions about 10 blocks from the presidential palace. Police in riot gear moved in quickly to clear the roads. Most shops and busi- nesses were closed and the streets of the capital were unusually quiet, as people huddled at home to await the outcome of the day’s drama. Guaido said he called for the uprising to restore Ven- ezuela’s constitutional order, broken when Maduro was sworn in for a second term following elections boy- cotted by the opposition and considered illegitimate by dozens of countries. For weeks, Guaidó had been promising a final push against Maduro, dubbed ‘Operation Freedom’, to co- incide with planned pro- tests Wednesday. Soldiers take position on an overpass next to La Carlota air base in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday. An anti-government protester walks near a bus that was set on fire by opponents of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro during clashes between rebel and loyalist soldiers in Caracas, Venezuela, on Tuesday. - PHOTOS: AP Venezuela’s self-proclaimed president Juan Guaido greets supporters in Caracas on Tuesday, after taking to the streets with a small contingent of heavily armed troops to call on the military to rise up and oust President Nicolas Maduro.Next >