ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY – 75 CENTS – FRIDAY, 12 JULY 2019 Pushing back on bullying problem MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com For one 12-year-old Cayman boy, the bullying at his school this past year had gotten so bad he could not take it any more. In the quiet of his bedroom, in des- peration, he looped a shoelace around his neck and tightened it, trying to take his own life. Fortunately, his mother happened to walk in and stopped his suicide attempt. The example may be an extreme one, but local experts say bullying in Cayman schools is a prevalent and signifi cant problem. In the past several years, a number of local agencies have surfaced or instituted new programmes aimed at reducing bul- lying. The Legislative Assembly has looked at the issue and at least one lawmaker is pushing for legislation by year’s end. Charmaine Miller is programme di- rector for the Family Resource Centre and has been with the agency for 12 years. Each year it sponsors an anti-bullying fair in October during anti-bullying month. It also runs an ongoing prevention pro- gramme called Stood Up, designed to teach students strategies to avoid or deal with bullying. Miller said the problem of bullying is ongoing and spreading. “What we’re seeing recently is an in- crease in bullying in the younger popula- tion, 8-10 year olds,” she said. “That’s def- initely something that’s been noticeable.” In fact, recent surveys of schools by the Offi ce of Education Standards found the parents at Sir John A. Cumber Pri- mary had the greatest concerns about bul- lying, with 41% saying the school failed to handle bullying effectively. The next closest school was Layman E. Scott High PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 11 » Campaigners cruise towards petition target More than 1,500 verifi ed, ‘less than two dozen’ decline to verify JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@pinnaclemedialtd.com Less than two dozen of the 1,500-plus voters reviewed by Elections Offi ce staff have declined to verify that they signed the petition calling for a referendum on the port project. If that ratio holds through the rest of the verifi cation process, then campaigners could be well on the way to hitting their target. However the fi gure does not include any numbers for signatures disqualifi ed by the Elections Offi ce as invalid or not belonging to a registered voter. Those fi gures are expected to be released in the coming weeks. So far the Elections Offi ce has received verifi cation forms from 27% of the 5,438 people who signed the petition. Even if some signatures are ultimately not verifi ed, there is some leeway for the cam- paigners. The target to trigger a referendum is 5,289 – 25% of the electorate. That means 150 signatures would have to be discounted before the petition could be deemed to have not met the target. Meanwhile the campaigners continue to Study: Coral reefs shifting away from warming tropics KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com Coral species are migrating away from equatorial waters and towards the Earth’s poles, a likely effect of warming ocean tem- peratures and climate change, according to research published this month in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series. Using data collected over four decades, re- searchers, representing 17 institutions in 6 countries, were able to develop a snapshot of how coral communities have changed over time. A total of 92 studies provided more than 1,200 records of coral populations from 1974 – when such recordkeeping began – to 2012. What the team found appears to speak to the effects of climate change, explained lead researcher Nichole Price of Bigelow Labora- tory for Ocean Sciences. While the number of young corals on tropical reefs had declined by 85% during the study’s timeframe, in subtropical reefs they had doubled. “Climate change seems to be redistrib- uting coral reefs, the same way it is shifting many other marine species,” Price said in a Bigelow release. “The clarity in this trend is stunning, but PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 12 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 14 »2 REGIONAL NEWS TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – Tai- wanese President Tsai Ing- wen departed Thursday for a four-country state visit to the Caribbean with stops in the United States on the way there and back. Her delegation is going to Haiti, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Gren- adines and St. Lucia on a 12-day trip. The island na- tions are among the few that recognise Taiwan in- stead of China. Tsai said that she wants to share the values of de- mocracy and perseverance with Taiwan’s friends. “Our democracy has not come easily and now is facing the threat and tech- nological penetration of foreign forces,” she said, in a veiled reference to China. Tsai will also make what her government is calling “two-evening transit stops” in the United States. Taiwan does not have diplomatic ties with the United States, but the US provides the self-governing island with military and other support. China ob- jects to such support as an interference in what it con- siders its internal affairs. In the Caribbean, the delegation will promote sustainable development and look for business op- portunities for Taiwanese companies, Tsai said. Taiwan split from China during a civil war that brought the Communist Party to power in 1949. The rival Nationalists set up a separate government in Taiwan, and Tsai has re- sisted Chinese pressure to re-unite the two. 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CHICKEN! inhC RICE & BEANS STEAMED VEGETABLES JAMAICAN STYLE COLE SLAW MAC & CHEESE AUGUST 6 TH ONE DAY ONLY Taiwan president heads to Caribbean with US stops Key player in Jamaican lottery scam sentenced to 4 years BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A fed- eral judge in North Dakota on Wednesday sentenced a Rhode Island woman to four years in prison for funnelling lottery scam money between the US and Jamaica, prompting a prosecutor to question the ruling. Melinda Bulgin, 29, of Providence, received a sen- tence that was 10 years less than prosecutors had sought. US District Judge Daniel Hovland said Bulgin’s role in the scam was not on the level of others who received lesser sentences than the 14 years requested by prosecutors, The Bismarck Tribune reported. “I’m giving you a break. I’m giving you a second chance,” Hovland told Bulgin. “I don’t consider you to be a monster.” Assistant US Attorney Jonathan O’Konek called Bulgin’s sentence “unreason- able” and “not a just punish- ment”. The government has two weeks to appeal. “She was not just a participant but arguably a major player in this,” O’Konek said, adding that “she ruined people’s lives”. A jury in September convicted Bulgin of con- spiracy, fraud and money laundering in a scam that authorities say bilked more than 100 mostly el- derly Americans out of more than $6 million. It’s believed to be the first large-scale Jamaican lot- tery scam tried in the US. The scam involved 31 de- fendants, including 14 Ja- maican nationals, most of whom accepted plea deals with the government. The scam’s alleged kingpin, Lavrick Willocks, was among those who ac- cepted a plea deal. Prose- cutors say he ran the scam out of a Jamaica mansion where he lived with his mother. Hovland in October sentenced Willocks to six years, crediting him with cooperating. Authorities say Bulgin funnelled scam proceeds via cheap flights she got through her airline job. She eventually was caught at a Melinda Bulgin Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen BOLIVIAN PRESIDENT VISITS RUSSIA TO DISCUSS EXPANDING TIES MOSCOW (AP) – Bolivian leader Evo Morales has visited Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on expanding economic ties. Speaking after talks in the Kremlin Thursday, Putin hailed the “strategic coopera- tion” between the two coun- tries, including Russia’s in- vestment in Bolivia’s natural gas fields and a project to build a Russian research nu- clear reactor in the country. He said Russian com- panies are considering in- vestments in lithium mining in Bolivia and plan to par- ticipate in the planned re- construction of Santa Cruz airport. Both leaders noted that they have similar views on international issues and un- derlined their shared em- phasis on respect for sov- ereignty and opposition to unilateral sanctions. Morales praised Putin for leading global efforts to “pro- tect international order, op- pose use of force in inter- national affairs and prevent interference into other na- tions’ internal affairs”. Bolivia’s President Evo Morales, left, points as he speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin, during their meeting Thursday at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. – PHOTO: AP Jamaican airport in 2015. Authorities identified vic- tims in 31 states, including at least one person who com- mitted suicide. The case has been prosecuted in North Da- kota because that is where the initial identified victim lives. Defence attorney Chad Mc- Cabe requested a sentence for Bulgin of time served, about 10 months, but said outside the courtroom he was “satisfied” with the four-year sentence. He, Bulgin, and Bulgin’s par- ents, who testified during the hearing, characterised her as a good person who got involved with a boyfriend in Jamaica who led her astray. “I was twisted. I thought I was in love,” Bulgin told the judge, adding that she did not personally profit from the scam. At one point Bulgin turned and apologised to Edna Sch- meets, a Harvey, North Da- kota, resident in her 80s who was scammed out of about $400,000. Schmeets’s case launched the investigation. Outside the courtroom, Schmeets said she is not con- cerned about the length of Bulgin’s prison sentence – she just wants her money back. So far she has received only $287 in restitution. “It’s just like a slap in the face,” she said. The judge ordered Bulgin to pay about $333,000 in restitution.The islands’ most-trusted news source 3 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY, 12 JULY 2019 The 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. FRIDAY, 12 JULY 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS ZAFRIN NURMOHAMED As we enter the second half of 2019, major developed world central banks have struck dovish tones indicating that rate cuts and other forms of policy stimulus are on the horizon due to low realised in- flation, slowing growth, and geopolitical uncertainties. While keeping policy rates on hold at a range of 2.25%- 2.50% after its June meeting, the US. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) revealed through its June dot plot that seven out of its 17 voting members expected the fed- eral funds rate to end the year 50 bps, or 0.5%, lower than current levels. While the me- dian projected rate at the end of 2019 remained unchanged at 2.25%-2.50%, it was fore- cast to drop by 25 bps by the end of 2020. In contrast, no voting member at the end of the March FOMC meeting ex- pected policy rates to fall in 2019, and by the end of 2020, the median projected rate was actually forecast to rise by 25 bps from current levels. The increasingly dovish stance taken by the FOMC has been due to a combina- tion of factors including re- alised inflation rates falling below the Federal Reserve’s 2% PCE target (core PCE was 1.6% year over year as of May), muted business investment in- dicators, and continued geopo- litical uncertainties stemming from trade tensions between the US and its trading part- ners, including China and the EU. The increasing dovish- ness of the Fed has helped US 10-year bond yields fall from close to 2.70% at the beginning of the year to 2%. In Europe, at the European Central Bank’s (ECB’s) recent annual forum in Sintra, Presi- dent Mario Draghi also raised concerns over economic risks and inflation remaining below the ECB’s inflation target. He indicated that further cuts in policy rates (the deposit rate is currently negative at -0.40%), along with additional central bank asset purchases, were possible. His comments helped German 10-year bond yields fall to -0.40%, a new all- time low. The impact of trade tensions has been particu- larly pronounced in Germany, the EU’s largest economy, with manufacturing activity de- clining due to falling business investment amid trade un- certainties, a slowing global economy, and concerns over a no-deal Brexit. While bond markets cur- rently portend slowing eco- nomic growth – indeed the three month 10-year yield curve remains inverted in the US (often a precursor to a re- cession) – several stock mar- kets, such as the S&P 500, are near all-time highs, with the S&P 500 trading near 3,000. While falling bond yields de- crease discount rates, and therefore increase the present value of expected free cash flows generated by companies (in other words, increase the fair value of share prices), it will take more than lower dis- count rates and central bank asset purchases to support risk assets. If expected cash flows are a function of expected reve- nues and expected expenses, then expectations matter. In a world where prices of input goods are expected to rise due to tit-for-tat tariffs levied on trading partners, and/or rev- enues stemming from busi- ness investments are expected to fall (e.g., due to economic uncertainties among pur- chasing managers) expected cash flows, all else equal, and consequently share prices should fall. Thus, supporting spending, whether by corpo- rations, governments, govern- ment-sponsored entities, and/ or households, is essential. A key contributor to spending decisions is con- sumer and business confi- dence. In an environment of in- creased uncertainty, spending confidence decreases. Lower interest rates, or at least ex- pectations that interest rates will remain lower for longer, give borrowers increasing confidence to spend with the hope that incremental spending financed by lower expected debt-servicing costs will not leave them insolvent or illiquid. In addition, central bank asset purchases can also lead to increased spending through wealth effects re- sulting from higher portfolio values (a richer person whose assets have been propped up by central bank purchases feels like spending more). Thus, while central banks can do little to offset the higher costs of goods emanating from in- creased tariffs, other than per- haps making exports cheaper by engineering currency deval- uations through forward guid- ance (but this is often matched with competitive currency de- valuations induced by peer central banks), they can seek to increase consumer and busi- ness confidence while lowering the cost of borrowing. Higher spending, in theory, should help central banks meet their inflation mandates. Citing the example of Japan, critics argue that lower interest rates will not lead to increased borrowing and spending because US house- holds and corporations are in a balance sheet recession and are focussed on delever- aging. US households have in- deed been deleveraging since the 2008 financial crisis. How- ever, they now have additional room to borrow and spend, provided that consumers re- main confident (personal con- sumption represents 70% of US GDP making consumers a potent economic force). Total credit to non-financial cor- porations as a percentage of GDP has exceeded previous highs seen in 2008 and critics argue that corporations will be reining in borrowing. How- ever, as seen in the graph, debt levels of US non-finan- cial corporations are nowhere near the levels experienced in Japan in the 1990s, and while not a perfect comparison, the graph suggests that US corpo- rations may have additional room to borrow to fund share repurchases or, even better, invest in the real economy, thus potentially increasing productivity. Thus, all else equal, ad- ditional central bank stim- ulus should support risk as- sets provided that nothing else goes wrong. So what can go wrong? 1) We could have a disor- derly Brexit which could neg- atively impact growth in the UK and neighbouring econo- mies. 2) The US-China trade dispute could escalate leading to higher tariffs and non-tariff barriers and therefore higher input prices. 3) Christine La- garde, the new ECB President nominated to replace Mario Draghi in November 2019 could be less dovish than ex- pected by market participants. 4) Tensions in the Middle East could rise leading to higher oil prices; the list goes on. Judging from the evolu- tion of several risk assets since 2009, investors have often been rewarded for ignoring risks, especially with the support of central bank stimulus. Share prices can and do deviate from their fair values due to a number of factors beyond cen- tral bank stimulus including demand levels for liquidity and behavioural dynamics (i.e., level of investor risk appetite). Some would argue that US share prices today, on average, are above their fair values. Central banks are not willing to be the only game in town and have long urged for the baton to be passed on to governments which can help to support economies through fiscal stimulus (especially if consumer and/or business spending falls) and economic reforms; indeed, the marginal utility of central bank stim- ulus is, by definition, fading. While governments con- tinue attempts to implement reforms, voters often punish elected officials who try to im- plement them, and generally are not willing to take pain for past excesses, especially when they did not participate in those excesses. Productivity growth is one way to offset the pain of much-needed re- forms and help economies re- duce debt. However, until pro- ductivity growth increases, it will be hard to square the circle. In its absence, central banks and governments will need to enact mutually rein- forcing policy measures that support the economy and, by extension, risk assets. There is little room for error. Sources: Bloomberg, Forbes, Financial Times, St. Louis Fed Database, US Federal Reserve. Nurmohamed is an investment management professional for the Butterfield Group. Disclaimer: The views expressed are the opinions of the writer and while believed reliable may differ from the views of Butterfield Bank (Cayman) Limited. The Bank accepts no liability for errors or actions taken on the basis of this information. 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” Will central bank rate cuts be enough to support stock markets? 0.0 40.0 80.0 120.0 160.0 1 9 6 4 - 0 1 - 0 1 1 9 6 8 - 0 1 - 0 1 1 9 7 2 - 0 1 - 0 1 1 9 7 6 - 0 1 - 0 1 1 9 8 0 - 0 1 - 0 1 1 9 8 4 - 0 1 - 0 1 1 9 8 8 - 0 1 - 0 1 1 9 9 2 - 0 1 - 0 1 1 9 9 6 - 0 1 - 0 1 2 0 0 0 - 0 1 - 0 1 2 0 0 4 - 0 1 - 0 1 2 0 0 8 - 0 1 - 0 1 2 0 1 2 - 0 1 - 0 1 2 0 1 6 - 0 1 - 0 1 JapanUnited States Total Credit to Non-Financial Corporations, Adjusted for Breaks, for United States and Japan (as % of GDP) The islands’ most-trusted news source 5 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY, 12 JULY 2019 Mentoring Cayman THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS Would you like to be a part of a programme that is helping to shape tomorrow’s leaders? Get involved in the Mentoring Cayman 2019/2020 programme. To learn more, email the Chamber at programmes@caymanchamber.ky or call 949-8090 ext. 129. STUDENTMENTORMENTOR'S PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT Cayman Academy Danielle BaileyCarmen MartinezGeorge Town Hospital/Cayman Rehab Services Raget RickettsDr. Alvaro Arminan CampuzanoCelimar Clinic Jonela McLeanDr. Rebeca De Miguel Celimar Clinic Daniel MylesJonathan WebsterCayman First Charrye PennXenia SotiriouSt. Matthews University Cayman International School Morgan CrowleyAntoinette GayleUniversity College of the Cayman Islands Amber EbanksJerrica WoodDepartment of Environmental Health Cayman Prep and High School Anais E. Small Candia James-Malcolm Office of the Director of Public Prosecution Norah HughesLeah GrantDepartment of Environment Olivia PlunkettTerri Taylor Engel & Volkers Cayman Islands Clifton Hunter High School Judith A. K. AndersonJanette GoodmanThe Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman Destiny DalleyAnita KhanRadio Cayman Valentina BustosChantelle DayWalkers Alejandro WhitakerCharles GilmanCayman Airways Angelo Carsana Dr. Romnesh de SouzaHealth City Cayman Islands Ajuay Whittaker Isabel Mettetal Strategic Risk Solutions Diamond ChambersJessica Peacey Department of Planning Dena'e AlexanderKafara AugustineHealth City Cayman Islands Javon LewinsonManuel ThomazCayman Water Joshua PeartMark Jordan Davenport Development Limited Elihandro BoddenSelgin Amador University College of the Cayman Islands Hope Academy Ryan Hugh Frick Pedro ReisKnighthead Annuity and Life Assurance Company Alexander JohnsonRajesh BavaliaAlexandria Bancorp Limited John Gray High School Lotoya BrownAngel KalinowskiGrand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort Natalia McCoyAnika ConollyCaribbean Utilities Company Malik GordonBarrett Nixon Pinnacle Media Nicocia JonesBernadette MylesCaribbean Utilities Company Jada WhormsBrittney ParchmanRoyal Cayman Islands Police Service Hannah WelcomeFiona MacAdamWalkers Britney BushIleana Bodden-EbanksCayman National Fund Services Limited Shante ReidJovanna WrightMin. of Education, Youth, Sports, Agri. & Lands Shanieka LewisKaren Stephen-DaltonPortfolio of Legal Affairs Kabira PalmerKernita - Rose BaileyDepartment of Children and Family Services Samuel WhiteMark ReedAMR Consulting Engineers Xavi RiveraRichard Maparura EFG Bank Cayman Aleigha GeneralRoz Griffiths Chatterbox Brittney WrightShanda Galleo Radio Cayman Javon RankineShawn BrickettDeloitte Alyssa WhormsSue NickasonDart Real Estate Rhys Clarke-GrahamSusan Guilmette DSG & Associates Cateryn Farrington-MartinezTrishana OsbourneCustoms Department St. Ignatius Catholic School Kiron DunnDr. Amitaba Basu St. Matthew's University, School of Medicine Diandra WhittakerDr. Jasmina MarinovaCTMH/Doctors Hospital Emily McIntyreRebecca HumeKobre & Kim - Disputes and Investigations Nilakni Jayasekera Sue WinspearOffice of the Auditor General Beth WaltonTiffany Rankine Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Triple C School Keya BerryAngela EbanksSavannah Pharmacy Ayanna Davis - EdenBrigita NemetBlue Iguana Limited/Cayman Creperie Micah NembhardGarth Arch Arch and Godfrey (Cayman) Limited Abbegale SeymourOlivia Benjamin The Veterinary Clinic and Speciality Pet Boarding Amie Wagner Rebekah BrooksBaptist Health South Florida Wesleyan Christian Academy Nathaniel Kelly Derek ByrneRoyal Cayman Islands Police Service Dreshaun BarnesMark Chapman Androgroup Limited Jennifer PhillipsMelissa Comparin Baraud Tyra RobinsonNancy BarnardMinistry of Health, Environment, Culture and Housing Kayla EbanksShanique Hananan LauderMinistry of Commerce, Planning & Infrastructure The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture, and Lands extend their congratulations to the graduating participants of the 2018-2019 Mentoring Cayman Programme. Since its launch in 2002, Mentoring Cayman has been devoted to motivating high achieving secondary school students to become Cayman’s next generation of business and community leaders. This year, a total of 56 students from nine schools completed the programme. Education is an important focus of the Chamber of Commerce and the Mentoring Cayman programme will remain a critical component of the Chamber’s educational efforts. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH, SPORTS AGRICULTURE & LANDS6 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY, 12 JULY 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS Killing out of season whelks is off limits Wet weather prevails in early July in Cayman KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@pinnaclemedialtd.com The Cayman Islands had a wet week. Nearly two inches of rain fell over a seven-day period, according to the Cayman Islands Na- tional Weather Service. From 4 July through 7am Thursday, 1.94 inches of rain fell on Grand Cayman. That accounts for a third of the is- land’s typical rainfall for the month of July, which averaged 5.78 inches from 1981 to 2010. A decrease in cloudiness and showers were expected starting Thursday afternoon, as an associated upper-level trough weakened in the north- west Caribbean, the National Weather Service said. Iso- lated showers in and around Cayman were observed moving west to northwest. The chance of more rains remained, however, with forecasters predicting a 30% chance of late night showers and thunder on Friday. The US-based National Hurricane Center reported Thursday morning that, “An upper-level trough extends from central Cuba to north- eastern Nicaragua. This fea- ture, along with the tropical wave over the central Car- ibbean are enhancing scat- tered moderate convection near Cuba, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands.” Overall rainfall The islands had been ex- periencing a rain deficit, falling about 8 inches short of the annual 30-year av- erage as of the end of May, according to forecaster Av- alon Porter. Cayman receives an av- erage of 56.2 inches of rain a year, Porter said. From June 2018 through the end of May 2019, he said the island had received 48.14 inches of rain. The island may be catching up, however. In May and June 2019, rainfall sur- passed the average. In May, 6.29 inches fell, compared to the average of 5.96 inches. Porter said 42% of the month’s rain fell on one day, 20 May. In June, 6.65 inches fell, compared to the average of 6.2 inches. Seventy percent of that rain fell on 25 June. Tropical weather The season’s first named storm, Tropical Storm Barry, poses no threat to the Cayman Islands, the weather service said. (Tropical Storm Andrea formed before the of- ficial 1 June start of the At- lantic hurricane season.) Barry is forecast to make landfall on the southern coast of Louisiana by Friday, bringing the possibility of life-threatening floods to the Gulf Coast. “The slow movement of this system will result in a long duration [of] heavy rainfall threat along the central Gulf Coast and in- land through the lower Mis- sissippi Valley through the weekend and potentially into early next week,” the National Hurricane Center reported Thursday morning. “Flash flooding and river flooding will become increas- ingly likely, some of which may be significant, especially along and east of the track of the system.” A separate, potential trop- ical system began forming Thursday southwest of the Cape Verde Islands, off Afri- ca’s northwestern coast. As of Thursday morning, the NHC forecast a 10% chance of trop- ical formation over 5 days. “Some slight develop- ment of the wave is possible during the next day or two while it moves westward at 15 to 20 mph, before en- vironmental conditions be- come less favorable over the weekend,” the NHC said Thursday morning. JEWEL LEVY jlevy@pinnaclemedialtd.com Cayman fishermen and women are reminded that killing whelks to use as bait or for cooking is illegal during the closed season. Both the police and the Department of Environment warn that the season for whelks is closed and does not open until 1 Nov. During this time, no one is allowed to take, sell, purchase or receive whelks on Grand Cayman, Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. This also goes for chitons, periwinkles and bleeding teeth. Whelks are edible sea snails, and some Cayman- ians love them. Stew whelk is a pop- ular Caymanian traditional dish. Whelks are inter-tidal, and people often pick them off the rocks when there is calm weather, but it’s much harder to collect whelks during rough weather. After that, there is the picking, boiling and grinding before they are edible. Caymanians stew them in coconut milk seasoned with onion and Scotch bonnet pepper, and a flour dough called ‘Sea Pie’ is added to the pot. They some- times make conch soup with some added whelks. Killing for use as bait was not a primary threat af- fecting whelk when the sea- sonal restriction was put in place. Department of En- vironment’s John Both- well said it was because people kept using the ani- mals as food. According to Bothwell, the current status of the whelk populations on the three is- lands is a mystery due to in- sufficient data. Collecting whelk out of season without giving them time to replenish could become a major threat to their existence. He said the Depart- ment relies on hearing back from people on the status of the whelk population, and what they think should be done about it. Eighty-one-year-old Brac fisherman Tenson Ebanks said whelks are still plen- tiful on Cayman Brac, but he does not know much about Grand Cayman. He knows there is an open and closed season for whelk, but it has left him won- dering how they replenish so fast on Cayman Brac. “It’s amazing, you would have to see this for your- self to believe it, that just in a matter of a season, these whelks can produce so much and get to such a large size from one season to the next,” he said. He said there is no spe- cial breeding grounds on the Brac for whelks that he can see. They breed all over the island and he thinks the sperm moves up and down with the current and the tides. Most people use soldier crab for bait, not whelk, he said. Fifty-year-old fisher- woman Susan Matthews said there are times when she will pick a whelk and put it on the line when it’s in season, but she has not seen other people doing it that much lately, because mostly everyone uses soldier crab, squid or octopus to catch fish. “The season is closed now, but when it’s open, eve- ryone sets out with a bucket to get whelks,” she said. “Whelks in Caymans is just about extinct,” said 67-year- old fisherman Olson Levy. “The marine officers were supposed to shut it down long ago for the next 10 years be- cause conch, lobsters and whelks are being depleted fast … let it be no season for at least 10 years … It is over- fishing by tour boats and fish- ermen and poachers, it has to stop,” Levy said. Looking at whelks dating back to the 50s, Levy said there were more than enough for the small popula- tions on Grand Cayman, but over-hunting has taken away that excess. Whelks also make good bait. “In Cayman, we can’t get them as food no more, much less bait.” Levy said he used a lot of whelk for bait. First you must pound it with a rock to tenderise it, before attaching it to the hook. It has the same fla- vour as conch to catch snap- pers, grunts, yellow fin, shad and most other small fish, Levy said. Whelks are still plentiful on Cayman Brac. – PHOTO: SISTER ISLAND NEWS AGENCY. A Cayman Islands Fire Services vehicle splashes through standing water near Grand Cayman’s airport on a rainy day in late June. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAYThe islands’ most-trusted news source 7 CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY, 12 JULY 2019 Leadership Cayman CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2019 Thank you to our planning committee, mentors, partners and sponsors for making this programme possible. MAJOR SPONSORS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2020 PROGRAMME. The application deadline is July 31, 2019. Visit www.leadershipcayman.ky to apply. To get more information about the programme, register via our website for one of two information sessions, on July 17 or July 24. BACK ROW: L-R Anoop Jayaprakash Marriott Beach Resort Sean Vasquez Department of Public Safety Communications Steve Lorimer Vivcourt Trading Ltd. Wesley Heistand Dept of Education - John Gray High School Pete Bridge Dart Enterprises Vince Budesa Remax Cayman Islands Simon Watson Active Capital Ltd. (Dart) Mike Gibbs Kensington Management Group, Ltd. Alistair Mills SteppingStones MENTORS: Wil Pineau, CCE Chamber of Commerce Adam Lambert Zimtra Asset Management SEZC Brian O’Reilly Greenlight RE Candice Czeremuszkin Moore Stephens Cayman Ltd. Daniel Murphy A L Thompsons PLANNING COMMITTEE: Robert Tate: Chair Global Rational Capital Roz Griffiths: Vice-Chair Chatterbox Cristina Spratt Logic Pamela J Ebanks-Small Logic Wil Pineau, CCE Chamber of Commerce VENUES: Brac Caribbean Caribbean Sands Cayman Brac Beach Resort Government Administration Building Greenlight RE Ltd. Health City Cayman Islands KPMG Marriott Beach Resort Pines Retirement Home The Court House The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman The Security Centre Limited Walkers CATERERS: Blue Cilantro Captain’s Bakery Cimboco Hungry Horse Seven Miles Burger Singh’s Roti Shop Treats Restaurant The Court House Richard Strommer Greenlight RE Ltd. Simon Stewart-Jones Yello Media Group Mario Iwazaki Brazilian American Merchant Bank FRONT ROW: L-R Julissa Castillo Cayman Islands Health Services Authority Danielle Coleman Hazard Management Cayman Islands Anita Parsons Progressive Distributors Ltd. Malynda Gibson-Nixon RBC Royal Bank Cayman Limited Kafara Augustine Health City Cayman Islands Danielle Roberts Ministry of Human Resources and Immigration Jovanna Wright Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture & Lands Shauna Owens DECCO Ltd. Giselle Passchier Wheaton Precious Metals Intl. Ltd. Kacey Mobley Department of Community Rehabilitation Alanna Trundle Global Captive Management Ltd. Sarah Stewart-Jones Saxon Insurance Jennifer McKinney Deloitte Dubadah Boldeau Department of Planning Kaitlyn Eliphinstone Cayman Enterprise City Kara Coe Cabinet Office Kellie McGee Ironshore Pharmaceuticals Louise Tate Global Rational Capital Nicholas McLean Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, Agriculture & Lands Ravi Campbell Dart Enterprises Robert Tate Global Rational Capital Roz Griffiths Chatterbox Sandra Malcolm Office of the Auditor General8 LOCAL NEWS FRIDAY, 12 JULY 2019 • CAYMAN COMPASS Churchill’s Funeral Home We have been asked to announce the passing Mrs. VetaWendlinWebster, who passed away on Friday, June 21, 2019. A Thanksgiving Service will be held at Church of God Chapel, West Bay on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. Viewing: 12:00 –1:00 p.m. Interment at: West Bay Cemetery Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com f Churchill’s Funeral Home We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Latasha Yvette Berry, who passed away on Tuesday, July 02, 2019. A Thanksgiving Service will be held at Church of God Full Gospel Hall, 63 S. Church, George Town, Grand Cayman on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Interment at: Prospect Cemetery Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com Churchill’s Funeral Home We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Beverly Marion Cato, who passed away on Thursday, July 4, 2019. A Thanksgiving Service will be held at Church of God Chapel, 22 Academy Way, Walkers Road, George Town on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. Viewing: 2:00 -3:00 p.m. Interment at: Prospect Cemetery Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com f Churchill’s Funeral Home We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Dimitri Moore, who passed away on Sunday, July 07, 2019. Details of a Thanksgiving Service will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com Churchill’s Funeral Home We have been asked to announce the passing of Mrs. Marianne Bilski, who passed away on Sunday, July 07, 2019. Details of a Thanksgiving Service will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com f Churchill’s Funeral Home We have been asked to announce the passing of Ms. Ruby Maud Hines-Miller, who passed away on Tuesday, July 09, 2019. Details of a Thanksgiving Service will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com f Churchill’s Funeral Home We have been asked to announce the passing of Alfred William Bush who passed away on Tuesday July 9, 2019 Details of a Thanksgiving Service will be announced at a later date. Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com Code (Cayman) is launching Youth Code (Cayman) 2019, its first com- puter programming course aimed at inspiring Cayman’s next generation to break into the technology sector by learning to code. Code (Cayman) is a learning and support net- work dedicated to sup- porting the growth of the local technology industry, and ensuring the skills re- quired to enter or grow in this sector are accessible to everyone through training, events and mentorship programmes. Youth Code (Cayman) 2019 takes place on 12–16 Aug. 2019, from 9am–2pm at Cayman Enterprise City in Strathvale House. The pro- gramme is open to all stu- dents between the ages of 12–17 who are interested in coding and technology. Registration is free, but space is limited to 20 par- ticipants to ensure an indi- vidual approach and one-on- one tutoring. The one-week course of- fers an intensive deep dive into computer programming, game development, web- site and application crea- tion and more, plus ongoing mentor support for months after completion of the pro- gramme. A follow-up course is being planned so that par- ticipants can continue to ad- vance their acquired skills. Code (Cayman) was founded in 2019 by the Min- istry of Community Af- fairs, Cayman Enterprise City, Walkers and Cartan Group as an initiative to in- troduce more people in the Cayman Islands to coding. Youth Code (Cayman) is sponsored by Harneys and Omise Holdings, whose sup- port includes the donation of 20 laptops to the pro- gramme. Harneys and Omise Holdings are committed to helping develop Cayman into a technology centre in the long-term, which includes nurturing Cayman’s next gen- eration of technology experts through training and educa- tion programmes. Marco Martins, the man- aging partner of Harneys’ Cayman office, said, “We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative with Code (Cayman) and the opportu- nity to help the youth of the Cayman Islands.” In the US, computing jobs are the primary source of new wages and are pro- jected to grow at twice the rate of all other jobs, yet 65% of schools do not teach com- puter science, according to www.code.org. In Cayman, Code (Cayman) is committed to supporting local students interested in technology through extracurricular ed- ucation; the founders of the organisation are committed to investing in the future of Cayman’s youth, from men- toring students through sec- ondary and tertiary educa- tion to helping them to find employment in the industry. “Every 21st century child should have a chance to learn about algorithms, how to make an application, or how the internet works,” said Brandon Caruana, Di- rector of Code (Cayman) and Managing Member of Cartan Group. “As a group we are passionate about technology, software, secu- rity, cryptography, hardware and making technology ac- cessible to everyone.” Caruana will also lead the youth programme. “We are excited about taking some of the best and brightest stu- dents in our community and building a long-term support infrastructure and commu- nity for the next generation of Cayman-based technology companies,” he said. Code (Cayman) recently completed its first training programme, Women Code (Cayman), a 12 week-long in- troductory computer pro- gramming course. The free programme was developed to help close the technology sector’s gender gap and of- fered more than 30 women a supportive network and plat- form to learn how to code. Following its success, the organisation is preparing a second series of the pro- gramme to take place in the third quarter of 2019. To register for Youth Code (Cayman), contact info@codecayman.com. For more information on Code (Cayman) and its upcoming training programmes visit www.codecayman.com. Additional charge for pilots in cash-smuggling case SPENCER FORDIN sfordin@pinnaclemedialtd.com The two men who pi- loted a private plane al- legedly involved in smug- gling cash to Grand Cayman were charged with an addi- tional count of use or con- trol of criminal property on Thursday afternoon. Juan Carlos Gonzales In- fante and Pedro Jose Bena- vides Natera, who had pre- viously been charged with being engaged in smuggling, were read the additional charge before their court ap- pearance. The two men, both Venezuelan nationals, are tentatively set for a trial date on 17 July. Two additional passen- gers of the flight, which was carrying a quantity of gold and $135,000 in undeclared cash, were charged with money laundering. Those two men, Daniel Aguilar-Fer- riozzi and Francisco Ventura Herrera, were also in court Thursday to reschedule their proceedings. Aguilar-Ferriozzi and Her- rera were scheduled to have a preliminary inquiry into their case on 5 Aug., but that matter was changed to 31 July. The crown counsel was ordered to file a trial bundle to the defence by 17 July. One point of contention emerged Thursday when crown counsel Garcia Kelly said he’d like both Aguilar- Ferriozzi and Herrera to con- sent to an evidential swab for DNA analysis. Defence counsel Rupert Wheeler said his clients had already provided a swab at the beginning of the inves- tigation and were not clear on why they should be com- pelled to provide another. Magistrate Valdis Foldats asked the defence counsel to answer by 3pm whether they would consent to another DNA swab. The court had heard on a prior occasion that the cash – $135,000 found on the plane by a Customs and Border Control sniffer dog – did not bear the fingerprints of either Infante or Natera. Defence counsel Prathna Bodden, who represents In- fante, said Thursday that the crown has not been able to provide evidence of DNA as part of their pre-trial disclo- sure. Bodden said she was told last week that it could take five weeks to provide that evidence, endangering the 17 July trial date. “We have since asked the powers that be to expe- dite that process,” said Kelly. “And I understand resources have been deployed to have that done as a matter of urgency.” Both Aguilar-Ferriozzi and Herrera are out on bail, while Infante and Natera are still remanded into custody. Bodden said Thursday that the matter has not been dealt with expediently, and that her request for a bail hearing is complicated by the im- pending trial date. “If there’s going to be a trial on the 17th,” she said, “There will be no bail application.” The two sides will meet again Friday at 2:30pm to discuss whether the trial will be delayed and whether the defence will ask for bail for both Infante and Natera. CODE (CAYMAN) LAUNCHES FREE SUMMER COMPUTER PROGRAMMING COURSE FOR STUDENTS Juan Carlos Gonzales Infante and Pedro Jose Benavides Natera, who had previously been charged with being engaged in smuggling, were read the additional charge before their court appearance. The two men, both Venezuelan nationals, are tentatively set for a trial date on 17 July. In the US, computing jobs are the primary source of new wages and are projected to grow at twice the rate of all other jobs, yet 65% of schools do not teach computer science.9 LOCAL NEWS CAYMAN COMPASS • FRIDAY, 12 JULY 2019 Footsteps shifts gears, will reopen as school MARK MUCKENFUSS mmuckenfuss@pinnaclemedialtd.com Footsteps, one of several learning centres on Cayman that have applied for status as education centres, in order to provide full-time instruc- tion for students, has received approval as a private primary school. It will begin operation as a school serving students aged 4-11 in September at a new location in Crown Plaza on Eastern Avenue. Director Emma Kendall said she plans to begin the year with 20-25 students, but expects to eventually have en- rolment of 75. And while the learning centre, which opened in 2014, primarily catered to special needs students, the new school will have a dif- ferent composition. “We want to open up to all students,” said Kendall, who runs the school with her co- director Bryony Platt. “We’ve been told we need to have 10- 13% of the student population with some kind of learning disability. We are determined to be an inclusive school.” She said class sizes will be limited to 12 students. The school will offer full and part-time scholarships for qualifying Caymanian children. Parents of eligible Caymanian students are in- vited to attend a scholarship assessment day from 9am to noon on 15 July. For more information, email management@footstepscayman.com or visit www.footstepscayman.com.Emma Kendall, left, and Bryony Platt are the directors of Footsteps School. OPPOSITION MEMBERS ATTEND COMMONWEALTH CONFERENCE Opposition Leader Arden McLean and MLAs Christopher Saunders and Kenneth Bryan will be at- tending the 44th annual conference of the Carib- bean Americas and At- lantic region of the Com- monwealth Parliamentary Association, which begins 15 July in Trinidad. This year’s theme is ‘Globalisation and Nation- alism: Quo Vadis – Im- pacts on Commonwealth Parliaments’. Mclean is scheduled to speak on ‘Migrants and Refugees: Is there a need for a collective regional re- sponse?’ Bryan will lead a discussion on ‘Digital Dis- information: The Chal- lenges to Parliaments and Democracy’. The annual conference at- tracts political leaders from across the Commonwealth. The conference will run for one week and will also provide attendees with the opportunity to support the 15th Regional Youth Par- liament which is being at- tended by members of the Cayman Islands Youth Par- liament, Reon Porter and Leah Robinson. CUC INSTALLING NEW POLES IN WEST BAY Caribbean Utilities Com- pany is advising motor- ists to exercise caution on Mount Pleasant Road due to work that will take place be- tween Monday, 15 July, and Friday, 26 July. According to CUC, crews will be installing new poles on Mount Pleasant Road be- tween Meadow Avenue and Parkview Crescent, with work occurring from 9am to 3pm daily. Customers’ electricity service will not be affected, according to the CUC advisory. One lane of this section of Mount Pleasant Road will be blocked during the work period, and CUC will have a number of vehicles and personnel in the area. The company will also deploy rumble strips and signs to manage traffic. For more information, contact CUC at 949‑5200 or email service@cuc.ky. In this file photo from April 2018, personnel perform line work in Grand Cayman. - PHOTO: TANEOS RAMSAY.Next >