$ 3 99 M EAL D EALS MONDAY - SATURDAY 9pcs MIXED, 2 Sides & 5 BISCUITS NEW FAMILY SUNDAY cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Monday, 21 October 2019 News Health officials on high alert following dengue cases Page 7 Police crack down on drunk driving after brunch News | Page 2 Pirates wage war on plastics News | Page 5 Eat it to beat it: Sargassum seaweed, baked, boiled and fried Issues | Page 8 Sports Roma is reborn in Premier League opener Page 20 Giving voice to the silent The Silent Witness March spotlights domestic violence. 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Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR CATHERINE MACGILLIVRAY NEWS PRODUCER AND OPERATIONS MANAGER KEVIN MORALES A MEMBER OF THE INTER- AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will find their own way” Partly cloudy skies with a 30% chance of afternoon showers and possible thunder. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 90°F 78°F HIGH LOW WINDS East to northeast at 5 to 10 knots. SEA STATE Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet.10 knots Police say they are cracking down on DUI and speeding violations on Sundays. 2 news N news Police crack down on drunk driving after brunch More officers to patrol major thoroughfares on Sunday afternoons KEVIN MORALES kmorales@compassmedia.ky Those looking to sip a few bubbles at Sunday brunch, beware – police say they’re cracking down on motorists who have had too many mimosas. “The RCIPS have also been informed of persons attending brunches on Sundays, consuming an exorbitant amount of alcoholic beverages and then proceeding to drive whilst intoxicated,” according to a press release issued last week by police. “In order to discourage and prevent this behavior, we have heightened police presence along main thoroughfares on Sunday afternoons.” Ten tickets were issued Sunday, 13 Oct., when the first patrols carried out checks aimed to curb drunk driving after brunch. Those 10 tickets, however, were issued for speeding, according to police. The press release did not specify if any tickets were issued for drunk driving. Police issued 328 tickets for driving under the influence in 2018, according to crime and traffic statistics available on the RCIPS website. “Driving under the influence of alcohol is an offence that is dealt with as a priority within the service and specifically by the Traffic and Roads Policing Unit,” police said. RCIPS warns about poor driving habits Information on the heightened police presence surrounding Sunday brunch was included in a press release that generally addressed poor driving habits by drivers on Cayman’s roads. “The RCIPS has received numerous complaints of motorists who have been driving in an inconsiderate manner on the roadway, and in doing so, violating a number of traffic laws and road code rules,” police said. Among those violations are drivers failing to use indicators at turns and when entering roundabouts. Police said failing to indicate carries a penalty of $100. The RCIPS also said distracted driving “continues to be a major concern on the roadway”. So far in 2019, officers have issued just less than 400 tickets for driving while using cell phones. Those tickets are $150 each, and drivers could also face charges of inattention or careless driving if it’s discovered a collision was caused by a driver being distracted. More than 1,300 speeding tickets have been issued in 2019 for speeds more than 55 miles per hour, police said, adding it is a concern “since the maximum speed for the entire Cayman Islands is 50 miles per hour”. Officers have recorded vehicles going in excess of 95 miles per hour, according to police. The cost for speeding is $20 per mile over the limit and $40 per mile over the limit in a school zone. That means drivers could face a $200 penalty if they are caught going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit. In 2018, police issued 2,128 speeding tickets, compared to 652 in 2017. “Driving under the influence of alcohol is an offence that is dealt with as a priority . ” RCIPScayman compass 3 N news MONDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2019 Domestic violence in the spotlight RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky “See something, do something.” That’s the message from those behind the annual Silent Witness March, now in its 19th year. On Friday, more than 100 people took to the streets of George Town, carrying silhouettes of victims for domestic violence in their hands and a message of justice as they participated in the annual march. The march started at the former government building, the Glass House, and ended on the steps of the Legislative Assembly. Under the theme, ‘Remember my story, Remember my name,’ members of the Business and Professional Women’s Club and Silent Witness March committee sought to spur hope for victims of emotional and physical abuse and bullying. “We want to encourage bystanders not to keep quiet, if they see something, do something,” said Cheryl Myles, second vice president of the Business and Professional Women’s Club and chair of the Silent Witness March. An increase in domestic violence cases heading to the new domestic violence court, Myles said, shows that awareness is on the rise and more victims are reaching out for help. “I think it is because the stigma is broken, that is the belief of the business and professional women, we want to continue to break that stigma and having people come forward,” she said. Last year, 2,200 cases of domestic violence were reported in the Cayman Islands. So far this year, police have received 1,900 such complaints. Last week, seven organisations, including the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre, the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and the Family Resource Centre, came together to form the Alliance to End Domestic Violence. The Alliance said its objective is to establish a multi-agency response to domestic violence in Cayman. Myles said events like the Silent Witness march continue to shine the light on domestic violence in the Cayman Islands. “This is an event where we come together as a community and try to encourage others to get involved in the [fight against] domestic violence that is occurring in the Cayman Islands, as well as bullying,” she said. According to a Business and Professional Women’s Club statement on the march, recent statistics show that one in three women and one in four men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. “Historically under-reported, domestic violence victims have often suffered in silence, something which, in many cases, has had fatal consequences,” it said. October is domestic violence awareness month and the Silent Witness March takes place in 23 countries worldwide. Ania Milanowska of the CICC said in a statement that she sees the march as “a reminder that silence speaks louder than words”. “Walking together with our colleagues, we remember those who lost their lives in acts of domestic violence, and work to end the silence about domestic violence and to empower those who still suffer in silence,” she said. “We remember your story and we remember your name. You are not alone.” Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, together with Councillor David Wight, joined in the march. Karlene Bramwell, senior policy analyst with the Gender Affairs Unit, speaking on behalf of the Cayman Islands government, pointed out that “domestic violence not only affects the victim and the perpetrator or the immediate family members, but costs the entire society directly”. Those costs to society are seen through the amounts of money government spends to provide health care, law enforcement, judicial services, intervention, housing and other social support services, she said, or the loss of productivity at a company or national level due to the effects on the labour force. “Therefore, it is important that the community takes an active role in the prevention, and eradication of domestic violence,” Bramwell said. Annie Multon, founding member of BPW, said she was pleased to see the turnout at the march. “Back 20 years ago, you would not get a lot of people talking about domestic violence because of the stigma attached to it,” Moulton said. “Now I think that people are more aware of it, more and more people are coming out and speaking out about it and that was the whole purpose of starting this walk. I am certainly happy to see the attention it has gotten over the years and we will keep at it until we see an end to domestic violence in these islands.” Wife declines to give evidence in domestic violence case ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A man charged with indecently assaulting his wife was acquit- ted in the Grand Court Friday after the woman told prosecu- tors she did not wish to give evidence. The husband was charged with one count of indecent assault, as well as common assault. He pleaded not guilty to each charge. Crown Prosecutor Toyin Salako told the court that the wife did not wish to proceed against her husband. “The complainant and the defendant are back together; she does not wish to give evidence in the matter,” said Salako. “The Crown therefore offers no evidence against the defendant.” Justice Roger Chapple entered formal not guilty verdicts against the man and dismissed the matter. Man cleared of attempted rape charges ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky A man accused of attempted rape and indecent assault was acquitted by a Grand Court jury on Friday. The complainant was employed as a cleaner in the defendant’s janitorial company. She alleged that on 3 Sept. she was assigned to clean a home in Prospect. The court heard that while there, the defendant demanded sex as payment before he would renew her permit. She told the court that when she refused, the man pushed her on a bed and tried to rape her. The second charge of indecent assault was in relation to a separate allegation by the same woman. She said prior to the attempted rape matter, the defendant indecently assaulted her in a bathroom. The jury heard that after the alleged attempted rape incident the woman decided to come forward. The defendant took to the stand and denied the allegations. He told the jury he knew that the woman’s permit was due to expire, but that he wasn’t the person who dealt with permit renewals. The week-long trial concluded on Friday afternoon, with not guilty verdicts to both charges. 2018 – 2,200 cases reported 2019 (up to Sept.) – 1,900 cases reported 1-in-3 women experience domestic violence 1-in-4 men experience domestic violence Domestic violence statistics “We want to encourage bystanders not to keep quiet, if they see something, do something . ” Cheryl Myles , Business and Professional Women’s Club Silent Witness March participants gather on the steps of the Legislative Assembly on Friday afternoon to raise awareness on domestic violence in the Cayman Islands.cartoon Older Persons Month - By Caymanman Commonwealth sounds alarm on possible debt crisis PATRICIA SCOTLAND Trade wars, protectionism, and nationalist rhetoric are combining to weave the possibility of a nightmare debt crisis that could be worse than any previously experienced. Global borrowing is now at the highest levels since the 1950s – and history suggests we should take this as a warning that a debt crisis could be looming. Were one to materialise, it could inflict greater dislocation on international financial systems and national economic stability than ever previously witnessed, especially in this highly uncertain environment characterised by trade war and regional disintegration. This would be particularly tragic in view of the extraordinary global commitment to delivering Sustainable Development Goals, and as so many nations seem finally to be in earnest about tackling the causes and impact of the climate crisis. The impact of a parallel crisis in global debt would derail this, and could make much needed international cooperation on poverty and progress impossible. Governments would be diverted by the need to stabilise local economies devastated by unmanageable debt. Yet such a scenario can be averted. Haunting memories of the economic chaos, poverty and suffering caused by previous debt crises are the reason that the finance ministers of Commonwealth are working together to prevent the needless recurrence of an avoidable crisis. The breadth and inclusiveness of the Commonwealth means that when our member countries meet, many perspectives are brought to the table. These can be shared to decisive effect when Commonwealth countries work together to ensure the voices and views of all are taken into account at forums such as the G20 and other international and regional gatherings. It is no longer feasible for policies on debt, trade and other economic matters to be considered in isolation from the increasingly extensive impacts of climate change, which are becoming more frequent and more stark. Small island states tend to be the most vulnerable to extreme weather and natural disasters, and also to have the least resilience or resources with which to recover from the damage to their infrastructures and economies. With interest rates at historically low levels, borrowing becomes an attractive proposition yet heightens the concomitant risk of debt ballooning to levels which are unsustainable over the longer term. This raises the possibility that countries which have ‘borrowed their way out of trouble’ following a setback will eventually face very severe debt distress. Preventing such eventualities is a global challenge which requires collective and coordinated responses. The Commonwealth is particularly and perhaps uniquely well-placed to ensure that perspectives and needs of developing nations are fully considered in multilateral discussions on policy for tackling future debt crises. This is the purpose of our Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting taking place in Washington, DC alongside the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. The ministers of our 53 diverse and widely distributed, yet closely connected nations will this year examine proposals designed to improve debt transparency. They will consider ways in which debt contracts can be specially amended to provide relief during disasters. Such initiatives will be supported by collating the perspectives of ministers from developing countries so that their Commonwealth counterparts from countries with advanced economies can carry them forward for the attention of the G20. The way to a stable and sustainable economic future is for developing and developed countries to work together inclusively on shaping the global debt rules which affect them all. So our Commonwealth approach is to focus on the roles of creditor and indebted countries. There have been instances of hidden national debt burdens, and this places responsibility on creditors as well as debtors. In countries where fiscal regulation is weak, debt may be acquired or accumulated in ways which are not transparent, and very seriously to the detriment of citizens. Those who provide credit in such circumstances are also culpable, and they too must be scrutinised and be made to bear responsibility – particularly as those who suffer the most pain from unsustainable debt and carry the greatest burden at times of crisis tend to be the poor and marginalised – those least able to cope. By working together on programmes that draw together a broad and inclusive array of nations, crisis can be averted. It is essential for there to be honest and open collaboration between creditors and debtors in a spirit of trust and goodwill. This the Commonwealth can offer, building on the depth of our connection and the basis of equality on which our family of nations comes together. Rather than sleepwalking towards yet another debt crisis, and the misery such nightmare reality would bring, the Commonwealth can open up pathways toward horizons of hope, with rich and poor walking in harmony towards a fairer, more secure, more sustainable and more prosperous future in which all can share. Patricia Scotland is the Commonwealth Secretary- General. Letters to the Editor: Don’t rush to build the cruise port We must heed the wise words of retired Master Mariner Paul A. Hurlstone regarding the building of a $200 million concrete berthing dock for mega cruise ships in the roadstead of Hog Sty Bay. Mr. Hurlstone stated that Hog Sty Bay, in George Town, is a roadstead, and that a harbour is different from a roadstead. That there is no harbour downtown. Caymanian mariners are renowned the world over for their superior seamanship and handling of great merchant ships of commerce for many countries. MM Hurlstone also questions the merit of the designer of the proposed concrete dock building it. The unseemly rush by the Cayman Islands government to build an extraordinarily expensive cruise ship dock, and to use the country's monies to promote the referendum a few days before Christmas, is a mystery. Why is it so urgent for government to build the dock and trample on the Caymanian peoples' wishes to not increase tourism, but to rein in mega cruise ship passengers from George Town's streets? Bigger isn't better. – Nan Socolow Patricia Scotland The letter writer asks why the government considers the building of a cruise berthing dock so urgent. 4 At Cancer Treatment Centers of America © (CTCA), we guide you and your family every step of the way, starting with a 3-5 day initial evaluation to develop your personalized cancer treatment plan. A team of clinicians will work together to provide treatments combined with supportive care therapies designed to help manage side effects, boost your energy and keep you strong during treatment. EXPERT CANCER CAREFOR CAYMAN ISLANDS PATIENTS © 2019 IPB CAYMAN ISLANDS PATIENTS Pamela R. Breast Cancer Patient cayman compass 5 news N news MONDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2019 Pirates wage war on plastics ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky The battle between Cayman’s swashbuckling buccaneers and single-use plastics will continue at this year’s upcoming Pirates Week when the festival adopts biode- gradable products made from sugarcane and cornstarch. “Once again, we will be incorporating the ‘Pirates Against Plastic’ initiative this year,” said Pirates Week Executive Director Melanie McField. “We have worked extremely hard to put structures in place that allow us to reduce the use of plastics during the festival.” Bagasse pulp, a by-product of processed sugarcane, is used to make biodegradable plates, bowls and cups which will be used in the food vending stalls at this year’s events. The introduction of bagasse products will be coupled with utensils made from cornstarch and the removal of plastic straws. Plastic gift bags have also been pulled from the gift stalls and stores at this year’s festival. “All food vendors have been formally requested to use biodegradable food containers,” said McField. “We have ordered bagasse food containers and cornstarch cutlery, which the vendors get a certain amount of, as part of their stall purchase.” The efforts to rid the festival of single-use plastics also extend beyond the food courts. During this year’s festivities, pirates will once again descend on Cayman’s public beaches in search of not so shiny ‘booty’. “Once again, [we’ve] teamed up with Plastic Free Cayman to host a public beach clean-up for all residents,” said McField. Cayman’s pirates may only hoist their colours and patrol the local waters once a year, but McField said that doesn’t stop them from being environmentally friendly. She said, “Ocean conservation continues to be a key message for many organisations, and we are thrilled that the Pirates Week Festival can play its part in the global effort.” Bryan drops raffle from Referendum Day survey RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky George Town Central MLA Ken- neth Bryan has withdrawn the raffle incentive from his planned Referendum Day survey. Bryan, the main organiser of the Caymanian Voice National Survey, in a statement over the weekend, said he decided not to move for- ward with the raffle incentive for the survey, “after much discussion with my political council and com- mittee members”. “We believe that though the raffle incentive may encourage more persons to participate in this non-governmental survey, it may undermine the credibility of the results,” he explained in a statement. On Thursday last week, the MLA announced his intention to have stations set up outside each polling station on 19 Dec., the date of the people-initiated referendum on government’s cruise berthing and cargo facility. He said the aim is to gauge public opinion by having participants answer six questions, two each on three topics: gambling, same-sex unions and ganja. He was offering prizes of $2,000 and $3,000 in other prizes for participation. However, he pulled the plug on the prizes. Bryan explained that his decision to withdraw the raffle was aimed at preserving the accuracy of poll results. “It is important that we do our … best to make sure that the results are as credible as possible, as we hope that the finding of the results may finally bring some resolution to these sensitive/ controversial topics and hopefully frame or shape the policy decisions of this government or the next,” he added in his statement. Following the announcement of the survey, the Cayman Compass reached out to the Elections Office querying whether a survey could be conducted on the same day as the vote. Elections Supervisor Wesley Howell said an exit survey is permissible. Bryan is hoping to get a sample size of at least 10,000 respondents. He said he will have tents set up 300 feet from polling stations. He said only registered voters will be allowed to take the survey and no personal information will be collected. The results will only be released after the referendum vote is announced. Bryan, in his statement, renewed his call for volunteers to help him with the collection of the data, saying, “We look forward to a high number of participation in the survey and encourage those who would like to help by being a volunteer to contact us on 924-3111." Kenneth Bryan Reusable mugs are available for people who want to not use plastic cups.FridAY'S SOLUTiONS 123456 78 910 1112 13 141516 17 181920 21 2223 24 123456 78 910 1112 13 141516 17 181920 21 2223 24 Puzzle 16199 ACROSS: 1 Melee, 4 Summons, 8 Gin, 9 Abyssinia, 10 Concern, 11 Argue, 13 Lordly, 15 Wallop, 18 India, 19 Chaucer, 21 Salisbury, 23 Ago, 24 Expanse, 25 Satin. DOWN: 1 Magical, 2 Leningrad, 3 Erase, 4 Spying, 5 Mascara, 6 Own, 7 Suave, 12 Gold Coast, 14 Liaison, 16 Purloin, 17 Accuse, 18 Issue, 20 Abyss, 22 Lip. ACrOSS 1 Surly (3-8) 9 Interpret (7) 10 Entirely (5) 11 Unconcealed (4) 12 Childish (8) 14 Spruce and stylish (6) 16 Captured (6) 18 Throw overboard (8) 19 East Asian desert (4) 22 Light yellowish brown (5) 23 Conceive (7) 24 Act strictly honourably (4,3,4) dOWN 2 A slip (5) 3 To drag (4) 4 Instrumentality (6) 5 US government personified (5,3) 6 Close of day (7) 7 Too serious for levity (6,1,4) 8 Artiste (11) 13 Physical weakness (8) 15 A hidden danger (7) 17 Fashionable (6) 20 Detestation (5) 21 Suspend (4) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16201 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Women are making strides in the male-dominated financial industry, but those within the industry believe more progress can be made through greater collaboration among women pursuing careers in financial fields. On Friday, those at the 100 Women in Finance NextGen Cayman sought to trigger that spirit of collaboration through the fourth annual ‘Inspire’ summit at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort. This year’s theme was ‘mentor, motivate, magnify’. NextGen Cayman co-chair Brittany Fox said the theme was apt for what the group was aiming to achieve at the conference. “We felt like the [local] marketplace and the global marketplace is very competitive, and people are moving away from the idea of collaborating together. We really wanted to focus on uplifting each other and [have them choose] collaborating over competition,” said Fox. The summit, she said, was the biggest since it started four years ago, and it was completely sold out on Friday. She stressed the importance of sharing and networking with colleagues in the same industry. “It is an opportunity to connect with other people in the industry at different [levels.],” she said, adding that attendees at the summit include those at more advanced stages in their careers and others starting out or mid-career. As well as enabling people to make lifelong friendships, the summit also gives them an opportunity to “gain important knowledge and understanding of some soft skills and some really great takeaways you can put into practice and really shape your career,” Fox said. The summit featured discussion on key topics, including how unconscious bias stands in the way of diversity and why one should cultivate a leadership mentoring style and the role of intrapreneurship in corporate culture. NextGen Cayman co-chair Renee Caudeiron said the topic of unconscious bias was selected because it can be seen as a stumbling block to success. “We wanted to tackle unconscious bias because it is something everyone experiences … and we really want to shatter the stereotypes, as we put in the title of the panel. We want everyone to think about what their unconscious bias is and ways to overcome it because we could all learn from each other in that respect,” she said. She said the aim of the summit was to encourage attendees to collaborate with each, work with each other and “support and empower one another, especially in today’s competitive workplace”. Caudeiron said while her experience working in the financial industry has been positive overall, she believes more strides can be made in the industry. “It is really quite male dominated, but I feel conferences like these, where young women can come together and talk about their experiences, is really what we could do more of,” she said. Caudeiron said the networking experience for women who are on the same career path and are largely at the same level are also key to success. The keynote address at the NextGen Cayman Inspire summit was delivered by Crystal Martin, a software developer and consultant at Slalom. On Friday, those at the 100 Women in Finance NextGen Cayman sought to trigger a spirit of collaboration through the fourth annual ‘Inspire’ summit at the Marriott . ‘Inspire’ summit urges collaboration over competitiveness among women 100 Women in Finance NextGen co-chair Brittany Fox. 100 Women in Finance NextGen Committee members Renee Caudeiron, Jelena Vujovic and Kimberly Melen. cayman compass 6 news N news MONDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2019Those who make the daily commute from the Eastern districts will likely recognise Mae Thompson. She can be found off Crewe Road, near Jose’s Rubis gas station, selling newspapers by the roadside. A familiar face at the Cayman Compass for 15 years, Mae finds her work enjoyable and engaging. “It’s a pleasure for me,” she says. “I get to know people, and people get to know me. I just like it.” When she’s not selling newspapers, Mae works in the company’s insertion department, where she puts flyers and other promotional materials in the newspaper. It’s a pleasure for me. I get to know people, and people get to know me. I just like it. Newspaper Vendor Mae Thompson Cayman Compass Promotion RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Local health officials said they have heightened surveillance efforts in the wake of six confirmed cases of dengue fever in Grand Cayman. They are urging the public to take steps to eradicate any possible mosquito breeding places for the disease-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito to help control the spread of the virus. In its latest dengue update, the Ministry of Health said on Friday that public health officials are continuing their close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Mosquito Research and Control Unit “to ensure appropriate measures are undertaken to mitigate the health impact in the Islands”. So far, Cayman has six confirmed cases, including three locally transmitted and three imported. The ministry statement pointed out that “usually there are no more than ten confirmed cases annually”. Throughout the region, more than 2.6 million cases have been reported, including almost 21, 000 severe cases. With the regional statistics rising, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez said, “Medical personnel are on continued alert to look for any further locally transmitted and imported cases.” The MRCU, according to the ministry, is also increasing its mosquito-control programme “with additional measures, including thermal fogging to kill biting mosquitoes that can transmit the disease, wide-area aerial spraying, truck- based larviciding directed at containers and barrier spraying directed at sites where mosquitoes rest”. The MRCU will also continue its control efforts, with ongoing work to identify and eliminate mosquito breeding grounds, including remote areas, around the islands, officials said. MRCU Director Jim McNelly, stressed “the critical importance of gaining access to homeowners’ properties to undertake vital surveillance and treatments”. Health Minister Dwayne Seymour urged residents to continue to stay alert and safeguard themselves against mosquito bites. “It will be much, much better for us all in the long run if we stay vigilant, protect ourselves from being bitten, and put every effort into stopping this disease early,” the minister said, as he highlighted the importance of maintaining a clean environment to reduce potential breeding sites. It is a point Health Promotion Officer Therese Prehay agreed with, saying, “While there is the need to amplify surveillance for early detection, and appropriate response, there is also a great need to increase awareness among the general population on ways to prevent and protect against further spread of the mosquito-borne disease now that there has been cases of local transmission.” She said it is important that to ensure local surroundings are clean and free of mosquito-breeding sites. “Everyone should take it upon themselves to empty, dispose of, or cover any receptacles or containers capable of storing even small amounts of water. This includes used tyres, water storage drums, flowerpots, and tanks, as these are ideal breeding sites for the mosquitoes,” she said. Health officials on high alert following dengue cases MRCU increases mosquito control efforts Cayman dengue statistics 37 cases in 2012 Four cases in last three years (three imported and one locally transmitted) No cases were reported in 2017 Two imported cases in 2018 Regional outbreaks Countries within the Caribbean, Central and South America have all reported dengue outbreaks. These include Brazil, Columbia, Cuba, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, and Trinidad and Tobago. ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky “We all know who is doing it, call them out when you see them!” said East End MLA and Leader of the Opposition Arden McLean in a rallying cry against litterbugs last week. McLean was addressing a crowd of some 60 people who attended an East End public meeting on Thursday. The meeting was primarily to address to public fears over a potential dengue outbreak. However, the issue of illegal dumping quickly became a sticking point. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, the primary transmitter of the dengue virus, among other diseases, is thought to be breeding in litter strewn throughout Grand Cayman. “The Aedes aegypti mosquito is adapted to live amongst us, and they can do so very well through the litter that we have in our yards,” said Department of Environmental Health Director Richard Simms, who was also in attendance. Simms blamed a ‘toothless’ litter law as part of the reason why his officers were unable to properly prosecute litterbugs. “I’ve referred several cases to the DPP (Office of the Department of Public Prosecution) since 2018 and I still haven’t seen any results,” said Simms. “Ultimately, there is no real deterrence in the law.” McLean responded, “The law does have teeth, they’re just soft.” He added, “People aren’t afraid,” saying that people were illegally dumping right in front no littering signs. To combat the illegal dumping, the DEH has placed a bulk waste container at the East End Civic Centre. The hope is that residents will take the litter from their yards and dump it in the container, which will be cleaned a minimum of once a week. The desired result is to reduce the places for the Aedes Aegypti to breed, as well as a cleaner community. “The excuse used to be George Town is too far, and we don’t have anywhere here to dump our trash,” said McLean. “Well, they’re out of excuses now. There is a container by the civic centre, so tell them to go take it up there.” But McLean’s calls for a cleaner community don’t just stop at his constituency border. “This is our country, it doesn’t matter where you see them littering, call them out,” he said to applause and cheers from the audience. Calling out the litterbugs The Department of Environmental Health has placed this bulk waste container at the East End Civic Centre. cayman compass 7 N news MONDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2019KAYLA YOUNG kyoung@compassmedia.ky M ats of sargassum seaweed are a treasure trove of surprises. A natural habitat for small marine life, sargassum offers food and shelter to shrimp, molluscs, crustaceans and juvenile turtles. The floating mesh entraps mostly anything along its path: lionfish eggs, trash, plastics, fuel patches. So those brave enough to eat sargassum will want to give the seaweed a very thorough wash before digging in. That’s the first tip from Cayman’s pioneering Chef Thomas Tennant, owner of Tomfoodery Kitchen. “Washing it at least once and soaking it in fresh water for 10 minutes is advised, just because ocean water not only carries bacteria that are floating in it but also, it could be carrying other things in the area,” Tennant says. The hidden risks of consuming this invasive seaweed – from rubbish to heavy metals – hasn’t stopped Tennant from experimenting with sargassum as an ingredient. He’s already integrated the brown algae into his line of Fiyah hot sauces, using sargassum as an ingredient, alongside local Scotch bonnet peppers, in his Black Fiyah Sriracha. The result is garlicky and tangy with a bit of heat. On a Wednesday afternoon at Camana Bay’s Bon Vivant kitchen, Tennant tested the versatility of sargassum cooking for the Cayman Compass. Fermented, boiled, baked or fried, it turns out there are many ways to incorporate sargassum into a snapper rundown. “Because it's seaweed, it does contain some properties that exist with other seaweed, so some more umami flavours,” Tennant says. “It will bring out more of a savoury flavour even though it doesn't really have a strong flavour.” For the experimental seaweed rundown, Tennant fished his sargassum batch that morning off the shore of South Sound. “It's not hard to find,” he jokes. The once seasonal seaweed has now become more ubiquitous throughout the year, so tracking down a sample is relatively easy. Tennant adds a simple advisory: “If it doesn't look edible, don't do it.” Sargassum for cooking should be fresh and have an ocean – rather than rotting egg – smell to it. After washing and soaking it, Tennant stuffs a small red snapper with a handful of the plant, alongside lemon rounds and coconut oil – the first step in To follow Chef Tennant’s sargassum rundown recipe, visit www.caymancompass.com for the video. Be advised, sargassum can contain arsenic, heavy metals and high levels of iodine. Eat it to beat it Sargassum seaweed, baked, boiled and fried With no shortage of sargassum seaweed on Caribbean shores, it was only a matter of time before the question arose: can you eat it? The Compass asked Thomas Tennant, one of the chefs who helped put lionfish on menus around the island, to conduct a culinary experiment with the invasive algae. cayman compass 8 I issues MONDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2019his rundown. He adds another twist, slathering on his spicy starfruit- sargassum kimchi. While the snapper roasts in the oven, he plucks sargassum leaves from the stem. Although the stems are edible, he compares the texture to rosemary stalks – not exactly ideal for chewing. The leaves are chopped and sautéed with onion and garlic as a base for the rice. For the sauce, the leaves add a savoury kick to the rundown medley of coconut milk, peppers, thyme and garlic. For spice, he chops a Scotch bonnet pepper. Those with less heat tolerance than Tennant can cut down on the punch by throwing the pepper in whole rather than chopped. For a crispy garnish, he fries the remaining leaves in coconut oil and dries them on paper towels. The crunchy, buttery morsels add the final touch to Tennant’s creation. “I'm just kind of exploring,” he says. “I know it's not going to be something mainstream with people eating sargassum for everything.” So, you can eat it. But should you? While sargassum may not appear in the produce aisle anytime soon, sargassum consumption isn’t new. In traditional Chinese medicine, sargassum has been used to reduce phlegm, suppress coughs and treat thyroid problems. A study by Southern Cross University in 2012 tested its potential for thyroid treatment. The team concluded that bioactive compounds in sargassum “could be useful in the treatment of thyroid related diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis” and recommended further research. Another study this year by Beijing University of Chinese Medicine tested a blend of seaweeds – Sargassum pallidum, Sargassum fusiforme and Glycyrrhiza uralensis – to treat thyroid problems in rats. The study found that its seaweed tea had an effect on enlarged thyroid glands, but it came with a caveat: “The detailed underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and further studies are required to elucidate the material basis and potential side effects.” Sargassum fusiforme, known commonly as hijiki, has been part of Japanese cuisine for centuries. While hijiki contains dietary fibres, iron, calcium and magnesium, it is also high in another component: arsenic. Public health bodies such as the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency recommend against hijiki consumption. Before boiling a steaming pot of sargassum tea or digging into a seaweed salad, culinary adventurers should proceed with caution. In July, researcher Rosa Elisa Rodríguez Martínez of the National Autonomous University of Mexico [UNAM] warned of “serious levels” of arsenic and heavy metals such as cadmium detected in sargassum samples taken from beaches in Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen. Rodríguez told Mexico Daily News that testing conducted at UNAM and the Ecology Research Center in Miami, Florida, revealed heavy metal levels as high as 120 parts per million. She recommended holding off on eating sargassum until further studies could verify its safety. Sargassum also carries high levels of iodine, so individuals with iodine sensitivity should abstain. Sargassum isn't new to the kitchen, but culinary adventurers should proceed with caution. Chef Thomas Tennant is no stranger to cooking with invasive species. For the past year, he has experimented with sargassum seaweed in the kitchen. In coconut rundown, he says the algae adds an umami kick. cayman compass 9 I issues MONDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2019Next >