High of 89 Low of 79 Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. LOCAL | PAGE 5 WAGE SURVEY SHOWS CAYMANIANS EARN MORE THAN EXPAT WORKERS WORLD | PAGE 8 THOUSANDS ATTEND FUNERAL OF FORMER JAMAICAN PM EDWARD SEAGA ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 2019 Cayman’s diminishing mangroves KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com Longtime residents of Grand Cayman will already know how drastically the island has changed in recent decades, as construc- tion and development have accelerated to keep pace with a growing population. Anal- ysis from the Department of Environment can help quantify how drastic that change has been for the island’s wetlands. In 1976, the western end of Grand Cayman was comprised largely of wetlands. From Prospect to West Bay, researchers recorded 5,330 acres of mangrove and sedge marsh wetlands that year. By 2013, that number had dropped 69% to around 1,633 acres. But what does it mean to lose such hab- itat? In an age of rising sea levels and cli- mate change, DoE Terrestrial Unit Manager Frederic Burton explained that the implica- tions could be quite significant for Cayman. “If sea level rise continues and the man- grove can’t keep pace, there is frankly very little we’d be able to do,” he said. “We stand to lose a lot if the sea level comes up, and we need to be vocal about that internationally. We can’t stand up and speak about that if we aren’t doing anything about that ourselves.” PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 6 »2 LOCAL NEWS TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 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 8:00 I 9:40 VIP KIDS CLUB: OVER THE HEDGE(PG) 10:00 (SAT ONLY) CULTURE AT THE CINEMA: THE TRAGEDY OF KIND RICHARD THE SECOND(R18) SAT ONLY: 8:00 • 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. - TUESDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) ALADDIN (PG) 4:10 I 10:10 CHILD’S PLAY (R) 1:00 VIP | 4:00 | 6:40 VIP | 7:20 | 10:00 MEN IN BLACK (PG-13) INTERNATIONAL 1:40 | 3:50 VIP | 4:45 I 7:30 | 9:50 TOY STORY 4 (G) 12:30 | 5:00 | 7:30 ANNA (R) 12:50 | 4:10 | 7:00 | 9:30 VIP | 10:00 X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX (PG-13) 1:15 | 10:15 SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 (PG) 1:25 | 7:35 Postal officials working on quicker package notification MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman postal service of- ficials say they are aware of problems with package no- tifications and are working to correct them in the coming days. Some customers have complained recently of re- ceiving notifications weeks after their packages arrived. Deputy Postmistress General Melissa Martinez- Ebanks said the post of- fice went to a new system of package notification in late April. By the end of May, she said, it was clear the new system was not working. Before the change, she said, package notices were printed out individually. “What we were finding is sometimes notices were being picked up off the printer by the wrong person,” she said. Those notices would some- times get misplaced or lost. In an effort to fix that problem, the decision was made to print the notices in bulk once a day, she said. But that has not improved the process. She said she has plans to return to the pre- vious system with some po- tential modifications. “I will meet with the team to see if there’s any hybrid system that might make it faster,” Martinez-Ebanks said. Ideally, she said, notifications should be sent out the same day a package arrives. Apart from the problems with the new system, she said there are a number of factors that can lead to de- lays in notifying a customer that a package has arrived. The biggest has to do with shipping labels. “We’re seeing a lot more people ordering from Alibaba Group and eBay,” Martinez- Ebanks said. “A lot of the packages tend to be small, like three or four inches. What we commonly see is ad- dresses that are just cut off.” Shippers typically require a street address. Since there is no regular home delivery in Cayman, customers have to include their post office box on the shipping label as well. That is the portion that often gets cut off, Martinez- Ebanks said. There are other occasional problems as well. “We’ve had issues with addresses in Chinese,” she said. “So that’s a challenge.” Sometimes the tracking number gets cut off, or a label might be illegible, she said. Martinez-Ebanks said she expects the situation to im- prove quickly. “We should have things sorted this week,” she said. She had suggestions for local customers who have ordered package ship- ments to Cayman: ■■ If possible, include an email and phone number on the shipping informa- tion so the post office can send an electronic notifi- cation via text or email. ■■ If a tracking number is available, call 949-7001 or email the post office at cipscustomercare@gov.ky ahead of time to alert them of the expected ar- rival date and how to reach you. You can also use the tracking number to ask if a package has been received. ■■ If you share a post of- fice box or use a company post office box, check with others to see if a no- tice has been received. DVDL: TOURISTS DO NOT NEED VISITOR DRIVING PERMITS The Department of Ve- hicle and Drivers’ Licensing issued a clarification that visitors to the Cayman Is- lands are no longer re- quired to pay $16 for a permit in order to drive le- gally on Cayman’s roads. According to a DVDL news release, “It has come to the attention of the DVDL that some insur- ance companies suggest the visitor must obtain a Visitor Permit, before they are legally covered by insurance.” The local Traffic Law states that “persons from countries stated under the Geneva Convention are al- lowed to drive in other listed countries, on a cur- rent valid foreign driver’s licence of the same vehicle group. That is: a visitor to the Cayman Islands can drive on their foreign li- cence without purchasing a separate permit, as long as their licence is valid and they are qualified to drive the same vehicle type at home,” according to the DVDL. “Visitors who do not have a domestic licence from a Convention country – or an international driv- er’s permit – must pass a written and road test be- fore they are allowed to drive in the Islands.” The DVDL also said that Cayman’s Vehicle Insurance (Third Party Risks) Law “does not require persons to have a Cayman Islands’ driver’s licence, in order to qualify for insurance cov- erage, since there is no re- quirement by Law for a vis- itor permit to be issued, in order to drive”. Evans family unveils bench in honour of baby Nolan The Evans family – parents Sean and Ailian and daughter Ashlyn – paid tribute to their son and brother Nolan on Saturday by installing a bench in his memory at Health City Cayman Islands. Nolan passed away at seven months old after a battle with complex congenital heart defects, and the Nolan Evans Memorial Bench was put into place on the day that would have been his second birthday. Governor Martyn Roper attended the unveiling. The Evans family has raised more than $30,000 in donations to fight against congenital heart disease over the last 16 months. The Cayman Islands Post Office in downtown George Town. - PHOTO: CHRIS COURT MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER Daniel Wallace Rankine, 21, of Bodden Town was re- manded in custody Monday after he was charged with attempted murder in rela- tion to a 26 April shooting on South Church Street. Rankine was arrested on Thursday, 20 June, on suspicion of attempted murder, and on suspi- cion of two burglaries in Bodden Town. He is the second man to be charged in relation to the shooting in which a man was report- edly shot twice. Rankine was charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit bur- glary, and possession of an unlicensed firearm, in re- lation to the shooting; and also one count of handling stolen goods for each of the two burglaries. He appeared in court on Monday and was remanded to Northward Prison. He will appear in Grand Court on 28 June and in Sum- mary Court on 9 July. Police name drowning victim The Royal Cayman Is- lands Police Service have re- leased the name of the man who died Friday in a water- related incident. He was Gerald Doyle, 77, of Massa- chusetts, USA. Doyle, a visitor to Cayman, died in what police described a “possible drowning inci- dent” at a resort on Seven Mile Beach. He was given first aid at the scene and was later transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police said they were in- vestigating the incident. The death is the eighth water-related fatality in Cayman this year.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 2019 mindsinspired.ky Congratulations Graduates Be bold, be courageous, be your best. Rep. Gabrielle GiffordThe islands’ most-trusted news source 4 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” TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS JENNIFER GRYGIEL Facebook has announced a plan to launch a new cryp- tocurrency named the Libra, adding another layer to its efforts to dominate global communications and busi- ness. Backed by huge fi- nance and technology com- panies including Visa, Spotify, eBay, PayPal and Uber – plus a ready-made user base of 2 billion people around the world – Facebook is posi- tioned to pressure countries and central banks to coop- erate with its reinvention of the global financial system. In my view as a social media researcher and edu- cator, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is clearly seeking to give his company even more political power on a global scale, despite the po- tential dangers to society at large. In a sense, he is de- claring that he wants Fa- cebook to become a virtual nation, populated by users, powered by a self-contained economy, and headed by a CEO – Zuckerberg himself – who is not even accountable to his shareholders. Facebook has not behaved responsibly in the past, and is still wrestling with significant public concerns – and inves- tigations – about its privacy practices, information accu- racy and targeted advertising. Therefore, it’s important to see through the hype. People must consider who is reshaping the world, and whether they are doing it in the best interests of humankind – or whether they are just seeking to ben- efit the new class of elite tech- nology executives. Humanity needs ethical leadership, and time to think through the potential reper- cussions of rapid technolog- ical change. That is why, in my view, Facebook’s cryptocur- rency should be blocked by financial regulators until its design has been proved to be safe for all of global society. Understanding Libra Technology companies are interested in a global currency that is native to the internet. That could allow companies like Facebook and Twitter to bring in more users to their platforms, and collect money from businesses who want to join the new system. They also want to siphon off business from the existing financial services industry. That sector is worth trillions of dollars, is enormously profitable, and yet has struggled to imple- ment its own digital currency. The technical details of Facebook’s plans are still emerging, but it seems that the company is not seeking to compete with Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. Rather, Fa- cebook is looking to replace the existing global financial system with an all-new setup, with Libra at its centre. The company may be counting on increased public interest in cryptocurrencies and financial technologies, and its market strength, to overcome objections. How- ever, I do not believe Fa- cebook should be allowed to wreck the global finan- cial system like it has, as many see it, wrecked global communications. Speeding global exchange There is definitely a need for smoother, faster and cheaper ways to send money around the world, and to pro- vide access to financial ser- vices to the many people who do not have formal bank ac- counts. There is real potential to Libra, but there are likely to be ways to improve even more, developing a payment system that better serves the world as a whole. At least at the moment, the Libra is being designed as a form of electronic money linked to many national cur- rencies. That has raised fears that Libra might someday be recognised as a sover- eign currency, with Facebook acting as a ‘shadow bank’ that could compete with the central banks of countries around the world. It does not help that Fa- cebook is already positioning itself to evade regulatory scrutiny by creating a corpo- rate subsidiary that will join an ostensibly independent governing body for the Libra. To protect consumers, reg- ulators should look carefully at whether the new system supporting the Libra is sound. It may be that an entirely new set of financial rules and reg- ulations is needed to shield the existing financial system from harm if the Libra be- comes more popular than na- tional currencies. At the very least, governments need to proceed slowly and carefully when new products may in- troduce systemic risks into our environment. Even the CEO of Google has acknowl- edged that. In my opinion, Li- bra’s planned launch in 2020 does not allow enough time to fully vet this technology and its risks. Protecting the global financial system Financial regulations have developed over time to en- courage trust between un- known parties, and to protect regular customers from fraud- sters and corporate greed. There are also rules that help governments prevent and de- tect transactions that support crime and terrorism. This is not to say that all payments and purchases should be tied to a known en- tity online or in real life. Cash and anonymity is also a civil right and is key to privacy and personal freedoms. As new digital financial services, methods of electronic payment and currencies de- velop and become popular, they should not be allowed to undermine long-standing fi- nancial safety systems, even in the name of smoother, cheaper transactions. My concern is not just about large-volume transac- tions. Facebook has shown how even small amounts of money can buy microtargeted ads with the power to influ- ence public opinion and elec- tion outcomes in the US and around the world. Product design and risk assessment Facebook has a long his- tory of questionable business models and privacy practices. The public, and their repre- sentatives in government – including elected officials, financial regulators and cen- tral bank authorities – should carefully scrutinise all as- pects of Facebook’s crypto- currency plans. This concern is espe- cially urgent because Face- book also has a long his- tory of launching products and services, like political ads and live-streaming video, without fully considering their potential to damage de- mocracy and the global so- ciety at large. The company has demon- strated its inability to serve society beneficially – and it may not even be interested in trying. All the signals sug- gest that customers and reg- ulators alike should carefully examine whether Facebook’s Libra is truly innovative or just a way to avoid restric- tions on a potentially haz- ardous financial product. Defending democracy Facebook’s entrance into the financial industry is a threat to democracies and their citizens around the world, on the same scale as disinformation and informa- tion warfare, which also de- pend on social media for their effectiveness. It may be hard for world leaders to understand that this is an emergency, as they cannot see the virtual powers aligning against them. But they must huddle quickly to ensure they have – and keep – the power to protect their people from technology com- panies’ greed. It will be key to under- stand if Facebook’s future cryptocurrency will ulti- mately function more like anonymous cash, or more like a traceable credit card transaction. Facebook has the blockchain and encryp- tion technology to create an anonymous digital cash-like system, or a private digital currency, which has not been created yet. Anonymity would heighten the risks of abuse such as money laundering, so it’s worth watching out for a cash-like Facebook cryp- tocurrency that mirrors the central banks’ cash system. In addition, I cannot help but reflect on the name that Facebook chose for this, the Libra, which is a refer- ence to the Roman meas- urement for a pound, once used to mint coins. In many ways the company that Mark Zuckerberg is building is be- ginning to look more like a Roman Empire, now with its own central bank and cur- rency, than a corporation. The only problem is that this new nation-like plat- form is a controlled com- pany and is run more like a dictatorship than a sovereign country with democratically elected leaders. Even now, the company may have as much power as some countries – and more than others. In the wake of the not too distant global financial crisis, and the ‘fake news’ and dis- information culture that is developing, people must slow down and fully evaluate dis- ruptive technology of this magnitude. Society cannot withstand a launch of a cryp- tocurrency in Facebook’s in- famous ’move fast and break things’ style. Jennifer Grygiel is Assistant Professor of Communications (Social Media) & Magazine, News and Digital Journalism, at Syracuse University. This article is republished from The Conversation, www.theconversation.com. Facebook: the world’s newest country? Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg LETTER TO THE EDITOR LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING MORE ABOUT DART TOWER Mr. Justin Howe, execu- tive vice president of Decco, Dart’s Real Estate Develop- ment and Operations, spoke [last week] to the Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Forum. We remember Pre- mier Alden McLaughlin ad- dressing us four months ago about Dart’s offer to build an iconic skyscraper in Grand Cayman. Mr. Howe posited that this tower will be the tallest sky- scraper in the Caribbean, and that it will be recognised the world over and bring billion- aire investors to the Cayman Islands. He hopes the Cayman Islands government will partner in this develop- ment which will cost Dart Enterprises over $1.5 billion. Dart developers have ref- erenced iconic buildings in New York, Paris, London, Dubai and Singapore. Obser- vation decks (Empire State Building, Eiffel Tower) are under consideration, as is a rooftop infinity pool. Dart En- terprises believes a five-star resort tower with residences will bring investors from the world over to Cayman. We know land on Cayman’s iconic Seven Mile Beach is scarce and expensive. Mr. Howe iterated, “This opportu- nity [the skyscraper] is to go and grow up, not out.” In the meanwhile, we look forward to hearing further about this Dart initiative, as well as the Cayman Islands government’s proposed dock for mega-cruiseships in Hog Sty Bay. Wondering, too, how a skyscraper housing a five- star resort and residences to draw billionaire investors will weather a Cat 5 Hurricane? Nan Socolow5 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 2019 Please be advised there will be no newspaper on Monday, July 1st, Constitution Day (Public Holiday) Constitution Day PUBLIC HOLIDAY Monday, July 1st PUBLICATION DEADLINES: Celebrate (345) 949-5111 • sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com EDITION BOOKING DEADLINE Monday July 1 No Publication Tuesday July 2 Wednesday June 26 Wednesday July 3 Thursday June 27 Thursday July 4 Friday June 28 Friday July 5 Tuesday July 2 Wage survey shows Caymanians earn more than expat workers MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@pinnaclemedialtd.com Caymanians on average earn significantly more than expatriates and men earn more than women, a new survey by the Economics and Statistics Office shows. The Occupational Wage Survey 2017, released last week, finds that Caymanian employees earned an average basic wage of $50,496, com- pared with $44,484 for non- Caymanians. Total compensa- tion, including commissions, bonuses or tips, is estimated to be $56,352 on average for Caymanians and $52,548 for non-Caymanians. Although expatriates make up about 53% of the la- bour force, according to the statistics office’s latest labour survey released in April, Cay- manians outnumber expatri- ates in all wage brackets ex- cept the lowest earning ones (below $2,577 per month) and the top earning bracket (above $8,127 per month). The data is in line with similar results detailed by the last Cayman Islands census carried out in 2010. The average basic earn- ings for men, at $48,204, were about $1,000 higher than the average take-home pay for women, at $47,208. However, the gap increases to more than $3,700 when total com- pensation is considered. The island-wide av- erage annual basic salary of $47,748 and total compensa- tion $54,600 is based on data from 1,270 employers and 19,215 employees, a number that makes up nearly half of the labour force. The median salary, which reduces the distortion of ex- tremely high or extremely low salaries on the mean and therefore is more representa- tive than ‘the average’, shows a total annual compensation per person of $44,004 across all industries in Cayman. The Economics and Sta- tistics Office conducted the survey for all types of busi- nesses from October 2017 to February 2018, and among a sample of households with employees from November 2017 to April 2018. The wage survey was prompted in September 2015 by the then Minister of Ed- ucation, Employment and Gender Affairs Tara Rivers, who recommended the survey as part of the implan- tation of a minimum wage. A minimum wage of $6 an hour was introduced in 2016. “Designed to an inter- nationally comparable standard, the report brings together, for the first time, information about the local labour market that will help inform government policy and future legislation across a number of areas,” said Finance Minister Roy McTaggart in a press re- lease accompanying the survey report. “The Ministry of Finance is committed to working with employers, employees, human resources professionals and other stakeholders, across all sectors, to ensure that we all have access to the informa- tion that we need to make decisions that will ensure the Cayman Islands remains a competitive labour market that attracts and retains the best talent from around the world,” McTaggart added. The 565-page report contains average monthly basic earnings and average monthly total compensation for 282 occupations. Unsurprisingly, the lowest-earning occupations are domestic cleaners and helpers, child-care workers, agricultural workers and musicians, while the highest-paying profes- sions are judges, web de- velopers, lawyers, dentists and other specialist medical practitioners. The average basic earnings for men, at $48,204, were about $1,000 higher than the average take-home pay for women, at $47,208. However, the gap increases to more than $3,700 when total compensation is considered. Student donates birthday money to animal rescue charity A local student recently donated her birthday money to local charity, One Dog at a Time. Ten-year-old Molly de Saram, who is a Year 5 student at Cayman Prep and High School, said, ‘I love dogs, and I really would like to have my own puppy.’ While her parents have not yet agreed to that, she said, ‘I decided to give my money to help needy dogs.’ Total compensation WOMEN $52,752 MEN $56,484 Total compensation CAYMANIANS $56,352 NON-CAYMANIANS $52,548 Average total compensation of work force $54,600 Median annual compensation of work force $44,0046 LOCAL NEWS TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 2019 CAYMAN COMPASS TARPON Mangroves are a natural habitat for all kinds of juvenile creatures, including the tarpon. Tarpons also use the mangroves as a feeding ground, as detritus from decomposition of shed mangrove leaves is the food base for some creatures on which tarpon feed. CRAB Marine crabs such as fiddler crabs and a variety of other invertebrates, including oysters, snails and shrimps, make their homes on the submerged mangrove trees and roots. JELLYFISH Upside-down jellyfish, or Cassiopea, can often be found in abundance on the sediment of the sea floor in shallow mangrove swamps. They are attracted to this type of environment as they favour muddy substrata found in the mangroves for settling. First, what are mangroves? Mangroves are shrubs or small trees that grow along the coast. As salt-tolerant plants, they grow well in brackish waters and along Caribbean coastlines. Their complex, tangled roots systems that seem to climb across the Earth are one of their most identifiable characteristics. “In the Cayman Is- lands and elsewhere, man- groves are noted for their role in shoreline protection, carbon sequestration and storage, filtering of sediment and pollutants, and as hab- itat for threatened species,” Burton said. In Cayman, there are four main species of mangrove: red, black, white and button. Red mangroves, also known as Rhizophora mangle, have dark green leaves with a paler green underside. Black mangroves, Avi- cennia germinans, have dark green leaves with a whitish- green to grey underside, and excrete salt crystals through their leaves. White mangroves, Lagun- cularia racemosa, have thick rounded leaves that are light green on both sides and have notch at the tip. Button mangroves, Cono- carpus erectus, have leaves that are dark green on both sides. Storm protection When a storm surge hits a mangrove habitat, the web of roots and leaves help to dissipate the power of the impact. While a mangrove cannot fully stop the flow of water, it disperses the wave and diminishes its energy. This effect was observed after Hurricane Ivan in 2004. “What was amazing to me even in Ivan, we looked in the central mangrove wet- land to see how far the storm surge had gone. It struck me TURTLE The tangled root systems of mangrove forests offer sanctuary and shelter for many species, including young turtles that face many threats in the open ocean. LOBSTER While they are more commonly found hiding out under reef corals, young Caribbean spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus, can also be found among the roots of mangroves swamps, which serve as effective nurseries for the crustaceans. PARROT The national bird, the Cayman parrot, can often be found in mangrove areas. The iconic bird with its bright green iridescent feathers loves to nest in the hollow trunks of dead black mangrove trees. Animal species that live in the mangroves Cayman’s diminishing mangroves Islandwide, the DoE estimates that wetland losses since the 1970s were about 25%. In other words, Grand Cayman went from an estimated 21,000 acres of wetland in 1976 to just over 15,700 in 2013. 25% CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 7 » In the western half of Grand Cayman, that loss was 69% from 1976 to 2013. That’s a decrease from 5,330 acres to 1,633. 69% The organisers of World Wetlands Day estimate 35% of the world’s wetlands have been lost since the 1970s. 35% Red mangroves are well adapted to saltwater and so thrive where many other plants cannot grow. - PHOTO: STEPHEN CLARKE7 LOCAL NEWS West Side Grand Cayman 1976 Wetland Area 5,330 acres Mangrove, Sedge Marsh West Side Grand Cayman 2006 Wetland Area 62% lost since 1976 Total wetland loss (3,278 acres) Mangrove, Sedge Marsh West Side Grand Cayman 2013 Wetland Area 69% lost since 1976 Total wetland loss (3,697 acres) Mangrove, Sedge Marsh CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 2019 that it didn’t get all the way in,” Burton said, noting that the inner depths of the cen- tral mangrove were largely safe from the storm. “In West Bay, we don’t have that kind of protection any more. We’re just relying on the elevation of the land and keeping our fingers crossed.” Weather and habitat regulation Residents of Cayman may have noticed a common weather event on island: a rain cloud column seems to form in the middle area of the is- land and moves west, bringing showers with it. That common occurrence can be attributed to man- groves. Burton explained that as the island heats up during the day, the mangroves take up water in their roots and begin to transpire. That mois- ture accumulates and begins moving west. “If we turn all the man- groves into tarmac and build- ings, the island would get a lot drier,” Burton said. “The sea levels will move into dry land and the Cayman Islands will get a lot smaller.” Mangroves also provide nec- essary support for farmers and others who use fresh water stores on island. The man- groves help keep the water table back and serve as a dam of sorts, particularly for the Lower Valley area. Habitat Tangled mangrove roots make great homes for schools of fish, turtles, lobsters and in- vertebrates such as oysters, crabs, snails and shrimp. The diversity of life in mangrove habitats is also what makes them ideal for snorkelling, fishing and kayaking. “It’s a safe place for juve- nile marine life to thrive be- cause it’s entangled and they can hide,” Burton said. Snapper, barracuda, tarpon, snook, grunts and a variety of other fish species call this eco- system home. Above water, Cayman’s par- rots make use of hollowed trunks of dead black mangrove trees for nesting. For ‘peat’ sake As sea levels rise, so do mangrove communities. In fact, mangroves must keep up with sea level changes, or the plants risk drowning and death. To do this, mangroves lay down more and more peat as they creep in- land to keep pace. “First, imagine sea level creeping up on a coastline with a bit of sand and emerging bedrock. A few mangrove propagules get stranded, take root and a stand of red man- grove grows in the tidal zone,” Burton said. “Hundreds of years later, the sea has come up more and the mangroves have dripped new propagules in the shel- tered water inland, so the man- grove stand extends further and further inland as the sea level rises.” If sea levels rise too rapidly, the mangroves cannot lay down peat at the same rate, resulting in drowning and die-off. “Any increase in the fre- quency or intensity of hurri- canes, especially when com- pounded by alteration or blocking of surface water out- flow pathways by road con- struction and land filling, can also lead to general man- grove drowning and death,” Burton said. Food and fertiliser Dead leaves and debris, such as bird droppings and dead in- sects, that gather in mangrove habitats make the water there incredibly nutrient rich. “When we get a tropical de- pression or some such rain- maker that dumps tons of rain on the wetland, the water table reaches a threshold where massive surface outflow pours the nutrient-laden man- grove water into North Sound. The tea-coloured water is fresher than seawater and so floats out over North Sound,” Burton said. “This is fertiliser for all of North Sound, stimulating sea- grass growth and feeding scav- enging crustaceans and so on, fuelling the whole food web that ultimately includes the fish, conch, lobster and sting- rays that are so important to many people.” Cayman’s diminishing mangroves CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 Black mangroves excrete salt crystals through their leaves. Button mangroves, Conocarpus erectus, have leaves that are dark green on both sides.8 LOCAL NEWS TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) – Thousands of Jamaicans turned out Sunday for the fu- neral of former Prime Min- ister Edward Seaga, who was the last survivor of the gen- eration of politicians who led the country to independence from Britain in 1962. After a multi-faith service led by 13 religious leaders, people walked to the Na- tional Heroes Park for the burial, which was accompa- nied by a 19-gun salute. Seaga’s wife, Carla Vend- ryes, laid a wreath along with political leaders and mili- tary officials. Current Prime Minister Andrew Holness remembered Seaga as a humble man and a champion for the poor. “He never lost sight of the reason why he entered poli- tics, and that was to help the have-nots join the ranks of the haves,” Holness said. “We pay tribute today to a con- scious leader, a statesman, a thinker, a man of dignity and a man of indefatigable spirit and courage of conviction.” Caribbean dignitaries, in- cluding Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin and Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush, were joined by throngs of everyday people who crowded behind a chain- link fence trying to get a look at the ceremony under a blis- tering sun. Many wore green, signifying their support for the governing Jamaica La- bour Party. They cheered and blew air horns as Holness placed a wreath. Sophia Beswick, who said she worked seven years for Seaga, called him a “great former prime minister and a great, lovely man”. Upton Eric Blake, a Ras- tafarian, said he travelled to the funeral to honour the legacy of Seaga, who was Ja- maica’s fifth prime minister, holding the top post from 1980 until 1989. “I’m bringing my fami- ly’s blessings to Mr. Seaga’s family as well,” Blake said. Before entering politics, Seaga was a major record producer who operated the West Indies Record Ltd. dis- tribution company and played a role in introducing ska to the world. At 29, he was appointed to Jamaica’s upper legislative house by Jamaica’s first prime minister, Alexander Busta- mante, who had founded the Jamaica Labour Party. Local government min- ister Desmond McKenzie said Sunday that Seaga was in- strumental in creating social programmes. “You are a father to thou- sands in West Kingston and across Jamaica,” McKenzie said. Seaga died in Florida on 28 May, his 89th birthday. He is also survived by children Andrew, Annabella, Christo- pher and Gabriella. Thousands attend funeral of former Jamaican PM Edward Seaga People wait for the passing of the funeral procession for former Jamaican Prime Minister Edward Seaga in Kingston, Jamaica. – PHOTO: AP After a multi-faith service led by 13 religious leaders, people walked to the National Heroes Park for the burial, which was accompanied by a 19-gun salute. From left, Cayman Islands Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush, Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin, Turks and Caicos Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson and Grenada Prime Minister Keith Mitchell attend Edward Seaga’s funeral service at Most Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston, Jamaica on Sunday. - PHOTO: JAMAICA INFORMATION SERVICE An honour guard marches next to the casket of Jamaica’s former Prime Minister Edward Seaga during his funeral procession in Kingston, Jamaica, on Sunday. - PHOTO: AP Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness speaks during the funeral service for former Jamaican Prime Minister Edward Seaga inside the Most Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston. - PHOTO: AP On his Twitter account, Premier Alden McLaughlin shared this photograph of him laying a wreath at the funeral.The islands’ most-trusted news source 9 Community CALENDAR ■ COMMUNITY CALENDAR is published TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS. It is available to charitable or non-profit organisations. Items should be submitted at least three working days before publication. Information must include name of sender, signature and contact number. ■ Items may be brought to the Cayman Compass office on Shedden Road or emailed to cwinker@pinnaclemedialtd.com at least three days in advance of publication. CAYMAN COMPASS • TUESDAY, 25 JUNE 2019 TUESDAY, 25 JUNE REEF LECTURE: As part of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute’s 2019 Reef Lecture series, in this evening’s ‘Important Fish on the Reef: What do you Think?’ lecture, Dr. Claire Dell will share the results of her work investigating herbivores on local reefs. She will also ask the audience about their experiences on the reefs and invite them to provide feedback on what they think needs to be done to safeguard the reefs in coming years. This is a free event; advance registration is requested. 5:45pm at the National Gallery. Register at www.reefresearch.org/ccmi- reef-lecture-june2019. FRIDAY, 28 JUNE STUDENT REGISTRATION CLOSES: The registration for students enrolling in, or transferring to, government schools for the 2019/2020 school year will close today. YOUTH CONVOCATION: A Youth Convocation featuring 22-year-old US motivational speaker and singer Jekalyn Carr will be held at the Law Courts today at 4pm. SATURDAY, 29 JUNE KIDFEST: Family fun day at Pedro St. James in memory of baby Nolan Evans. 2-6pm. Children 13 and under, free; ages 14 and over, $25. Raffle prizes, face painting, complimentary sno-cones and pizza slices, bouncy castle, lawn games, live entertainment, food and drink sales, Kids Zumba. First 50 kids through the gate on the day get a free gift bag. Proceeds go towards helping children with congenital heart defects. SUNDAY, 30 JUNE TALENT SHOW: The New Self Help Community Foundation presents the annual Xposition of the Arts talent show at the Harquail Theatre. Doors open at 5:30pm, show begins at 6:30pm. Tickets are $10 if prepaid and $15 at the door. Tickets can be bought in advance at Funky Tang’s or Winners Circle Sports. Proceeds go to the Frances Bodden Children’s Home. GOSPEL FEST: A fundraising gospel concert featuring Grammy Award nominated US gospel singer Jekalyn Carr will be held at 6:30pm at the Lions Centre. Gates open at 4:30pm. ENVIROWALK: A 5K walk/run will be held this morning at SafeHaven to bring awareness to the environment and to raise funds for the 2019 Miss World Cayman pageant in September. Bring a water bottle, hats, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. $25 for adults and $12 for 12 and under. MONDAY, 1 JULY PUBLIC HOLIDAY: Today is a public holiday in the Cayman Islands to mark Constitution Day. SATURDAY, 6 JULY MANGO SEASON AT MUSEUM: The 4th annual Lookya Mango Season at the Museum will be held today, from 10am to 2pm at the National Museum in downtown George Town. BEACH CLEAN-UP: Plastic Free Cayman holds its monthly community clean-up at Sand Hole Beach, Sand Hole Road in West Bay, at 8am. All welcome. Bring a reusable water bottle, hat and gloves if you have them. Chance to win a trip for two with Red Sail Sports. GENERAL INTEREST HIV TESTING: The Health Services Authority, Cayman AIDS Foundation and Cayman Islands Red Cross are offering free HIV testing throughout this week, until Saturday, 29 June. No appointment is necessary. Testing is being carried out at the following locations and times – George Town General Practice Clinic, 24-28 June, 9am-1pm; Bodden Town Health Centre, 24-28 June, 9am-1pm; West Bay Health Centre, 24, 25, 27 and 28 June, 9am-1pm; East End Health Centre, 24-28 June, 1-3pm (Mon), 9am-1pm (Tues-Fri); North Side Health Centre, 25 and 28 June, 9:30am-12:30pm (Tues) and 8:30am-2pm (Fri); Cayman Islands Red Cross, Cayman Corporate Centre, 27 Hospital Road, 1st Floor, 25 and 26 June, 2-4pm; Seven Mile Medical Clinic, 29 June, 9am-noon; Faith Hospital, Cayman Brac, 26 June, 9am-1pm; Little Cayman Clinic, 25 June, 9am-1pm. YMCA SUMMER CAMPS: Registration for YMCA Summer Camps is now open. Camps will take place from 2 July to 23 Aug. across three locations – Field of Dreams, Camana Bay Sports Complex and the Youth Centre at the Cayman Islands Baptist Church in Savannah. Families can also register for Y Fun Days, which are offered Wednesday– Friday, 26-28 June, at Field of Dreams. For more information, visit www.ymcacayman.ky. On-site registration is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm at the Field of Dreams. The Day Camp team can also be reached at ysummercamp@ ymcacayman.ky. To find out about financial assistance, which is available for families in need, email info@ymcacayman.ky. CELEBRATE CAYMAN: Celebrate Cayman Coat of Arms memorabilia will be on sale in the lobby of the Cayman Islands Government Administration Building 11am to 2pm every Tuesday and Thursday through the month of June. Items on sale are Celebrate Cayman umbrellas $25, neckties $25, bandanas/scarfs $15, puzzles 35pcs/200pcs $10, plates $35, bistro mugs $10, car flags $10. ‘I CAN QUIT’ SMOKING CESSATION CLASSES: The Public Health Department reminds smokers who wish to quit the habit that there are still some spaces left for upcoming smoking cessation classes. Classes start on 5 June, from 5:15-6:45pm every Wednesday for seven weeks in the Public Health Department. Location will be Smith Road Centre, second floor. For more information or to sign up, contact the Public Health Department on 244-2889/244-2621, or email sarah.hetley@hsa.ky or nola.sanderson@hsa.ky. COUNSELLING SERVICES: The Family Resource Centre and the Counselling Centre have moved. They are now with the Department of Counselling Services at their new home on Mary Street, at 87 West Apollo House. Hours are Mondays and Fridays from 9am to 1pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am to 7pm, and Wednesdays 9am to 4pm. SQUASH CLUB: The Cayman Islands Squash Club hosts a social evening for women on the last Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm, and holds squash beginner lessons for adults every Monday at 7pm. For more information, email info@squash.ky. PIRATES WEEK VENDORS: Food and craft vendors interested in participating in the upcoming Pirates Week Festival can reserve stalls starting Monday, 3 June. Food Festival dates are 8, 9 and 11 Nov. A valid DEH Food Handling Certificate must accompany completed application forms. All food vendors must use biodegradable containers and utensils (available from Pirates Week Festival office – limited supply). Space is limited, please register early. Download the application form at www.piratesweekfestival.com/ participate. To learn more call 949-5078 or info@piratesweekfestival.com. LOCAL HARVEST MARKET: Local farmers sell their produce and farmed goods at Camana Bay on Wednesdays from 10am to 3pm in Heliconia Court (located next to Scotiabank). COMMUNITY CHESS: Tuesdays 5-8pm, West Indies Wine Company. Join the Cayman Chess Club for a complimentary chess class and open challenges weekly. Anyone can learn to play and enjoy chess, even beginners. ART OPEN CANVAS: At KARoo Restaurant in Camana Bay, Wednesdays 7-11pm. Artists of all levels are welcome to come and enjoy painting and socialising with other artists. Includes use of easels, lights, space and a beverage ticket. No fee. For more information, contact info@visualartcayman.com or jar.was@gmail.com. VISUAL ARTS SOCIETY: Adult Open Studio available to those who want to work independently in an inspiring atmosphere. Wednesdays for adults, 9am till noon. Thursdays Adults and Youth, 10am till noon. Watler House Art Studio, Pedro St. James. Fee is $5/$15 pp for ceramics. $15/$25 pp non-members. Includes use of studio, glazes and ceramic tools. Clay available $30 per bag/fee for kiln usage. To register, call 546-9422 or email info@visualartcayman.com. SEAFARERS HALL: The Cayman Islands Seafarers Association wishes to inform the community that the hall is now available for rent every day of the week, including Saturdays. THRIFT SHOP: Cayman Islands Humane Society Thrift Shop. Located in Venetia Plaza, next to China Village. The Thrift shop is open Tuesday – Saturday 9am to 2pm. Closed on Sunday and Monday. The phone number is 945-5596 THRIFT SHOP: One Dog at a Time’s New To U shop is now located at JJT Warehouses, Row 2, Unit 2 on Industrial Way. Open Saturdays 8am to 5pm and Wednesdays 10am to 2pm. Variety of items available, including men’s, women’s, children’s and baby clothes, shoes, household, electrical items, CDs, DVDs, books, home furnishings, toys, baby cribs, car seats, dog beds and more. BETHESDA COUNSELLING CENTRE: Caters to all who seek help. Open Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:30pm at 68 Mary Street. Appointments available Saturdays and late evenings. Owned and operated by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Call 946-6575. HUMANE SOCIETY BOOK LOFT: North Sound Road. Open Monday 12:30-4pm; Tues-Fri 9:30am to 4pm; Sat 9:30am to 4:30pm. Volunteers are needed for front desk a few hours per week. For more information, email humanesocietybookloft@ candw.ky or call 946-8053. Donations of books, games, CDs, stationery, cards, etc.,in good condition needed. CLUBS, ORGANISATIONS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS: Meets daily to help with drinking problems. Call 926-9044 or visit www.caymanaa.org. NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: Is available for substance abuse help. Call the info line at 929–NANA (6262). AL-ANON GROUP MEETING: Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Al-Anon Family Groups can help. Call 928-8843 or email caymanalanon@gmail.com for meeting times. OVERCOMERS OUTREACH: A Christ-centred 12-step recovery group addresses addictions and those affected by them. Meetings at Cayman Islands Baptist Church, Pedro Castle Road, Tuesdays, 7:15pm. For details, contact Vanessa Gilman at 946-2422, or visit www.overcomersoutreach.org. DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP: This group meets on the last Wednesday of each month at ADACI’s office, 4th floor, Cardinall Plaza, 30 Cardinall Ave., George Town. Call 924-4170 or email info@adacayman.com. GRAND CAYMAN TOASTMASTERS: Club meets each Thursday 6-7:15pm on 3rd Floor, George Town Public Library. Visitors and guests welcome. Contact George R. Ebanks at 322-9369 or Grand Cayman Toastmasters club on Facebook. Email info@ toastmastersclub2686.org. EMINENT ORATORS TOASTMASTERS: Want to be a better speaker or leader? Join a Toastmasters Club. The Eminent Orators Toastmasters Club meets every second and fourth Monday at Cayman Academy Canteen, Walkers Road, 6-7:30pm. Contact Sashoy Duncan at 939-8847 or email eminentoratorstoastmasters @gmail.com. Visitors and guests welcome. For more Community Calendar events, visit www.caymancompass.com/events. A lecture titled ‘Important Fish on the Reef: What do you think?’, hosted by the Central Caribbean Marine Institute and featuring Dr. Claire Dell, will be held at the National Gallery at 5:45pm on Tuesday, 25 June. - PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCKNext >