SEVEN MILE BEACH WATERFRONT WALKERS ROAD TOWN CENTRE PLAZA RED BAY SPICY GRILLED CRISPY SANDICHES I W CK ANDW CHICKEN ICHE E cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Monday, 18 November 2019 News MLAs urged to get behind constitutional changes Page 6 Business Construction concessions under review Page 11 Traffic, vehicle import consultations delayed Page 3 Cayman sets sights on Hollywood Page 7 Brackers walk to raise diabetes awareness Page 2 Lit up for Christmas Page 7 kers to tes enes a paPRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. 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” Cloudy skies with a 20% chance of showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 82°F 77°F HIGH LOW WINDS Northerly at 10 to 15 knots. SEA STATE Slight with wave heights of 1 to 3 feet. • 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. - MONDAY - 640-FILM (640-3456) CHARLIE’S ANGELS (PG13) 12:30 | 3:50 VIP | 6:40 | 10:00 VIP FORD V FERRARI (PG13) 12:30 VIP | 3:20 | 6:40 VIP | 9:30 LAST CHRISTMAS (PG13) 2:25 | 4:00 | 7:20 | 9:50 MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (PG) 1:00 | 4:40 | 6:30 | 9:30 PLAYING WITH FIRE (PG) 2:00 | 4:55 | 7:35 | 10:00 TERMINATOR: DARK FATE (R) 12:50 | 3:50 | 6:45 | 9:45 Cold front brings rough seas The National Weather Service has issued a small craft warning for boat users as waters around Cayman continue to churn. The warning comes as the weather service said rough seas are expected throughout Monday as a cold front moves over the Cayman area. The front was expected to become stationary just west of Jamaica Sunday night. Radar images show isolated showers over the Cayman area moving southeast. Two cruise ships missed their calls in Cayman Sunday as waves pounded Hog Sty Bay. Forecasters projected winds to be northerly at 10 to 15 knots with wave heights of between 3 to 5 feet, followed by slighter wave heights of 1 to 3 feet as the week progresses. High waves are seen at George Town Harbour on Sunday morning. Brackers walk to raise diabetes awareness JEWEL LEVY jlevy@compassmedia.ky Around 25 people on Cayman Brac came together last week for a walkathon to raise awareness about diabetes during World Diabetes Day. At Thursday’s walk, which was organised by Dhallchand Seeram, head pharmacist at Cayman Brac’s Faith Hospital, community members, dressed in blue T-shirts, gathered at the Cayman Brac Museum in Stake Bay to show their support in the fight against diabetes. The walkathon was held in conjunction with the Brac Rotary, Lions, Faith Hospital, Cayman Islands Diabetes Association and local schools to raise awareness about the risks of diabetes and its increasing prevalence in the world among all age groups, especially among young people. The annual World Diabetes Day is marked on 14 Nov. and the theme for this year was ‘Family and Diabetes’. “All over the world, people are observing this day because people of all ages, sizes and races have diabetes,” said Seeram. “We are observing this day to help prevent that disease.” Seeram said there is a high prevalence of diabetes in the Caribbean. He said he did not have figures, but thinks one in three people may remain undiagnosed. As part of activities to mark World Diabetes Day, a health fair will be held at Faith Hospital grounds on Saturday, 23 Nov., with free health screenings, music, a raffle and food. Correction A story in the 15 Nov. edition of the Cayman Compass, titled ‘Financial report: Gov’t surplus double projected figure,” on an unaudited third- quarter government budget report, contained a correlation between two figures that was in error. The 1 Jan. to 30 Sept. total for cash and deposits of $654 million should have been related as lower than the 1 Jan. to 30 June amount. ers o raise Organiser Dhallchand Seeram shows off his World Diabetes Day T-shirt. Children’s run organised The Department of Children and Family Services will host a 5K run/walk at 6am on Sunday, 24 Nov., at SafeHaven, to mark Universal Children’s Day. The theme of the event is ‘I Have a Voice, Hear Me Roar’ and funds raised will go to families in need, according to organisers. Participants can register at www.caymanactive.com/ ucd or on 20 Nov., at the Government Administration Building entrance, from noon to 4pm. Registration is $15 for adults and $5 for children. “Universal Children’s Day is observed globally to improve child welfare and to promote and celebrate children’s rights,” said DCFS Director Paulinda Mendoza- Williams. “The day also supports unity and awareness among children and their communities. DCFS wants the children of the Cayman Islands to feel comfortable using their voices to share their hopes, opinions and needs." For more details, contact the DCFS on 949-0290. cayman compass 2 news N news MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2019DARKNIGHT Back by popular demand, we are bringing back a beautiful tradition to Anchor & Den and celebrating the New Moon with our much-loved Dark Night evening, this time in collaboration with our sacred spa, Botanika Union. We will be honoring the celestial cycles of our planet with candlelight, intention setting, soul-nourishing activities and last but not least; a delicious selection of food and beverage stalls offering holistic-inspired fare and cocktails. Entrance to this Dark Night event is complimentary but food and drinks can be purchased using tickets that will be available at our dedicated Ticket Station in the lobby on the night. Complimentary valet parking will also be available. ANCHOR & DEN Friday, November 22 • beginning at sunset APOTHECARY ELIXIRS • HOLISTIC BITES • STARGAZING • INTENTION SETTING Traffic, vehicle import consultations delayed Harris: We did not want to distract from referendum RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The legislative committee tasked with creating plans to deal with traffic congestion and the production of standards for vehicle imports will miss its year-end deadline. Prospect MLA and immigration councillor Austin Harris told legislators the joint select committee has held a number of meetings and was in the process of preparing to roll out its public consultations on its proposed recommendations. “We have decided to delay the stakeholder engagement discussion on traffic congestion, on vehicle importation, until after the referendum has ended, which unfortunately will take us past December and into the new year,” Harris said. “We will not be able to present those recommendations at the end of the year as was the plan, I think, in May of this year,” Harris provided the update during his contribution to the budget debate in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday. He said the decision was taken to hold off on the consultations because government wanted to ensure fairness was the order of the day and the people’s wishes and the viewpoints of those who signed the port referendum petition are respected. “Those plans have been delayed, not postponed, but delayed to allow for the referendum conversation and the debates on both sides to continue, lest otherwise we be criticised for seeking to talk about other subjects and seeking to distract from the referendum,” Harris added. The committee was created following a unanimous decision in the Legislative Assembly to investigate and make recommendations for the standards, specifically looking at vehicle age limits, classification and fuel types. It was set up following a motion brought by the Prospect MLA. Opposition Leader Arden McLean had filed a similar motion, but he withdrew his to allow Harris’s motion to proceed. Harris said the committee’s work will continue even though its consultations will have to wait. “That committee is doing a lot of positive work and I am anxious to get their recommendations in the public realm,” he added. Workforce challenges Speaking on the issue of employment, Harris said work is continuing on Caymanian unemployment as he noted that the long-awaited Fair Employment Opportunities Commission is expected to be established next year. The aim of the commission, which was the brainchild of Premier Alden McLaughlin, is to investigate and remedy claims of discrimination against Caymanians seeking employment or facing challenges to career advancement. Coupled with that is the review of the national minimum wage, Harris said. The current minimum wage stands at $6 an hour. He said much work has been done in the past two years to advance the conversation and the review of the minimum wage. In 2020 and 2021, he said, government will seek to continue the effort by engaging with private sector partners. “If we all want the same thing, which is to see Cayman succeed and see it succeed with Caymanians, then we need to take a look at wages … [W]e have nothing to fear from a possible increase to the national minimum wage, as we have seen growth continue and thousands of new jobs created despite the creation of a national minimum wage in the first place,” Harris said. The budget debate continues Monday. Austin Harris Vehicle imports 2018 Total vehicle imports 4,806 New vehicles 2,053 Second-hand vehicles 2,753 $6 per hour Minimum wage in the Cayman Islands cayman compass 3 news N news MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2019On a visit to see my daughter in Grand Cayman, the problem of roads and traffic congestion has been in the news. More money spent on more roads won’t end congestion; in fact, counterintuitively, it may make it worse. So what does work? How could the community get enough cars off the road at peak hours to keep traffic flowing? Whatever solution you try, there will be pros and cons, and civil servants are left with the unpalatable choice of who to disappoint. Not easy. Many cities have ‘Park and Ride’ facilities linked to public transport, so one little ‘safe-fail experiment’ (concept by Dave Snowdon, Cognitive Edge) might be to set up a series of parking spaces along a route and try a ‘first three cars park, everyone gets into the fourth car and goes into town’. This little experiment would soon reveal if and how people do or don’t react. For example, if they find it reduces commute times, they will respond by adopting it to get to work. It will also reveal flaws in the idea; for example, tradesmen who need to get to a worksite with a bunch of tools in their vehicle, or how the system reacts when it’s raining. Encourage people to complain – that way you can then adapt and keep trying until you find what works. This sounds like a simple, even a silly idea, but there is sound complexity management theory behind it. Search on YouTube for Professor Jonas Eliasson’s TED Talk on why traffic is a non-linear phenomenon (https://youtu.be/CX_Krxq5eUI) meaning you only have to reduce the traffic by a small percentage to keep it flowing. So, a little imagination, some good PR and community involvement could change how the system as a whole develops. Then the government can work out just how much they need to spend on roads. It will likely be a lot, lot less than we think. Jeremy Kidner A suggestion to reduce traffic The decision by the Cayman Islands government regard- ing same-sex marriage is an unfortunate one. We are visiting your island with a group of 300 gay people next month and most of our group has decided not to leave the ship. We will not spend our hard-earned dol- lars there until full marriage equality is afforded every Cayman Islands citizen. Don Oravec Gay cruise tourists staying on ship The pristine ecosystem of Grand Cayman, specifically Hog Sty Bay in George Town, will be threatened by the indiscriminate tampering by the Cayman Islands government in pressing to build the proposed $200 million mega cruise ship port. Government has given the 19 December referendum short shrift. We believe in climate change, and the rapacious investment in tourism by Cayman's government leaders will line their pockets, not the pockets of honest Caymanians against increased tourism in the capital. Traffic is already at a standstill in George Town. Attention must be paid to those Caymanians against the docking of huge cruise ships in George Town's roadstead. Nan Socolow The role of tender boat revenues: If the proposed cruise berthing facility is not built, the owners of the existing tender boats will continue to gain fees of US$5.25 per passenger. Based on the current 1.9 million passengers per year, this means the tender boats will receive an estimated US$249 million over the next 25 years. When the port facility is built and financed under the proposed arrangements, this US$5.25, which currently goes towards private businesses, will now go to the port developers to help finance the project, as well as to maintain the port facility over the 25-year period. Financing the port in this manner is similar to a family choosing to buy a house today by using a bank mortgage instead of continuing to pay rent for housing. The recent public meetings show that the developer Verdant Isle is assuming all of the financial risks relating to the project. The Cayman Islands government is not borrowing the funds to finance the project, Verdant is the borrower. However, if the port is not built, the US$249 million will simply go into the pockets of the tender boat operators and the country will have nothing to show for it after 25 years. Having all these funds go towards transportation costs is like paying rent for 25 years and not owning the house afterwards. On the other hand, if the port is built, the public gets an asset valued at over $450 million at the end of the 25-year period. Make no mistake. With almost US$250 million to lose, the tender boats are not independent bystanders in this debate on the new cruise berthing facility. So, when you read that the owners of the tender boat operations are saying “We will be out of business”, this is what that means. And when the tender boat owners say “We donated to save reefs, not the tender business”, please look at that quote, think about this US$250 million dollars in revenues that they stand to lose, and think again. Kenneth G Davis Our port: Should we ‘rent’ or ‘buy’? Letters to the editor cartoon Conch season - By Caymanman The Cayman Compass encourages community dialogue on important public matters and is eager to receive letters to the editor that contribute positively to that discourse. Every effort is made to publish submit- ted letters in our print and online editions that meet our criteria. Readers are limited to three published letters per month. Letters are accepted at the editor’s discretion based on the following criteria: • Letters must be no longer than 350 words. • Letters must be written with sensitiv- ity to Cayman Islands’ multi-cultural society and in respectful language that avoids inciting violence or is any way derogatory towards others’ race, religion, or sexual orientation. • Letters must be based on verifiable information; the Compass reserves the right to fact-check letters. • The Compass reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and AP style. • The Compass reserves the right to cut letters to fit available space in the print edition. • Letters must include the author’s name, email address, telephone number and physical address. • Due to time constraints, the Compass cannot notify individuals as to wheth- er submissions will be published. The views and comments expressed in letters submitted to the Cayman Compass, its website or any associated social media platforms, are those of the writer and not those of Compass Media. Letters should be emailed to editor@compassmedia.ky. LETTERS Standards and guidelines Port threatens 'pristine' Hog Sty Bay 4ADVENTURE AWAITS Career is an adventure. We can take you where you want to go. steppingstonesrecruitment.com Miller: Anti-corruption agencies ‘under-resourced’ Renews call for ethics law to be enacted RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Public Accounts Committee chairman Ezzard Miller said local corruption-fighting agencies lack the necessary resources to perform their roles properly. This has led entities like the Anti- Corruption Commission to prioritise reports coming to them before starting investigations, Miller told legislators last week. “It could very well be in some of the reports that they don’t investigate could be some of the troubling things that we do need to know about,” Miller said as he tabled the Public Accounts Committee’s report on its inquiry into the auditor general’s ‘Fighting Corruption in the Cayman Islands’ report. Miller, speaking in the Legislative Assembly last Wednesday, said, in general, the report found “most of the legislative framework is in place to detect, convict and prevent corruption, but what came out in the public hearings was that all of the agencies seem to be under- resourced”. He urged the government to ensure that additional resources are provided to all the agencies tasked with combatting corruption. Government has allocated $2.64 million to support commissions, including the Anti- Corruption Commission and the Commssion for Standards in Public Life, according to budget documents Miller also renewed his call for the commencement of the Standards in Public Life Law, which, though it passed more than five years ago, remains in abeyance. This law oversees the conduct of public officials, including politicians and those who sit on government boards. Amendments to the legislation have passed in the Legislative Assembly, but the enactment of the law remains on hold as its provisions are being reviewed. Prior to Miller’s comments, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson tabled the Standards in Public Life Commission’s report for February 2019 to July 2019. Manderson said the commission stated that, over the next reporting period, it intends to continue to liaise with the Office of the Governor and the Office of the Premier to secure a commencement date for both the law and amendment law, as well as drafting accompanying regulations. “Following a firm commitment from the government to commence the law, the commission will undertake a full review of the education and guidance notes. They will also do work on the procurement law,” Manderson added. 5 10 15 20 25 4 4 Cases Pending Further Information 0 Cases Transferred to Other Units 26 Cases Concluded 12 Cases Active 26 12 Anti-Corruption Commission cases 2018-2019 What is the Commission for Standards in Public Life? An independent body charged with ensuring the prevention of cor- ruption or conflicts of interest on the part of public authorities and public officers. 30 cayman compass 5 news N news MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2019FridAY'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 16223 ACROSS: 1 Chive, 4 Garland, 8 Lip, 9 Ultimatum, 10 Besiege, 11 Ready, 13 Evince, 15 Hebrew, 18 Wagon, 19 Example, 21 To the fore, 23 Lot, 24 Hygiene, 25 Taste. DOWN: 1 Calibre, 2 In passing, 3 Elude, 4 Gutted, 5 Remorse, 6 Act, 7 Dumpy, 12 Acropolis, 14 Concede, 16 Wrestle, 17 Before, 18 Watch, 20 Alert, 22 Tug. ACrOSS 1 Easy task (5,2,4) 9 Unlawful (7) 10 Midday meal (5) 11 Very small amount (4) 12 Ingredient of curry powder (8) 14 A military entertainment (6) 16 Confused mess (6) 18 Pressing necessity (8) 19 Horseracing (4) 22 Cutting implement (5) 23 Gourmet (7) 24 Concisely (2,1,8) dOWN 2 Creek (5) 3 Male bird (4) 4 Amount produced (6) 5 Genoese explorer (8) 6 Of similar kind (7) 7 Unrealistic hopes (3,2,3,3) 8 Paltry sum (7,4) 13 Anticipated (8) 15 Instruction (7) 17 Believe (6) 20 Customary (5) 21 Desire (4) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16225 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 Calls for legislators to support the United Kingdom’s package of constitutional changes featured in the ongoing budget debate in the Legislative Assembly. Describing the changes as “possibly a once in a lifetime offer,” George Town South MLA Barbara Conolly urged unity in the House to push the reform through. Conolly said the changes “provide protections against overreach by the UK, as well as [emphasizing] the sovereignty of this legislative body, with regard to managing our own affairs.” Last week, after almost a year of discussions, the UK issued its proposed changes for the Cayman Islands Constitution. Among its concessions, negotiated by Premier Alden McLaughlin and then-Opposition Leader Ezzard Miller, was a mandatory consultation with Cayman on any acts of the British Parliament or orders in council that will extend to the Cayman Islands. Further concessions agreed to by the UK included removal of the governor’s power to write legislation, the governor’s power to disallow legislation and clarification that the Cayman Islands Cabinet has autonomous capacity for domestic affairs. Conolly, in addressing the changes, also folded in government’s $200 million port project as she urged legislators to throw their support behind Premier McLaughlin. “I really hope we in this House today can put aside petty politics and vote yes for the port project and yes for this package of valuable constitutional changes, both are possibly once in a lifetime… offers that may not return easily if thrown aside,” said Conolly. Miller, in his contribution to the debate, also called for fellow MLAs to support the changes. Commenting on the changes to the governor’s power, Miller said, “We got much more than I thought we were going to get.” He urged lawmakers to take the changes to their constituents to get consensus so the premier can to move the process forward. “We all going around, some campaigning for the port, some against the port, [it’s a] good opportunity to talk about the constitution. You’ve got an audience; if you throw in the debate about the [same-sex] court case, you probably get a full house,” said Miller. He said by doing this, legislators can help the premier demonstrate to the UK that there is no need for a referendum. “If we go out and have meetings in our constituencies and come here and debate the bill he brings here, and say ‘I have talked to my constituencies, my constituency supports this change’, it is better for Cayman. It is improved governance of Cayman by Caymanians, that’s what we need,” the North Side MLA said. MLAs urged to get behind constitutional changes Men’s and boy’s health issues, gender relations and positive male role models will be the central focusses as the Family Resource Centre marks International Men’s Day on Tuesday. “In an increasingly complex and demanding world, International Men’s Day looks to foster and provide opportunities for males of all ages to discuss issues of mutual interest in safe and non-judgmental ways,” said the Minister of Health, Environment, Culture and Housing Dwayne Seymour in a statement on Friday. The FRC said annual observance of International Men’s Day is an occasion to highlight the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities; and their positive contributions to society. “In keeping with the observance’s core objectives, this year’s International Men’s Day theme is ‘Men Leading by Example’,” said FRC’s Programme Coordinator Charmaine Miller. “We are looking forward to celebrating International Men’s Day on Tuesday, and throughout the rest of November, by involving men and boys in activities that help create positive interactions.” Among the events planned are private screenings of the locally produced documentary ‘Men’s Voice’. The film, the FRC said, focuses on highlighting positive male role models and discussing the issues and challenges men face. “‘Men’s Voice’ explores themes that discuss the socialisation of men, men’s health, family, cultural influences highlighting opportunities for actionable change,” it said. The FRC is also asking the public to nominate positive male role models, who lead by example in the family, school, workplace or community, on its Facebook page. It is also hosting a Men and Boys Basketball Tournament on Saturday, 30 Nov., at the John Gray High School Gymnasium. The event, the FRC said, is an intergenerational basketball tournament, where men and boys will play on the same teams. To learn more, contact the FRC at 949-0006, or visit www.frc.ky. Upcoming events • Men’s Shed Workshop - Saturday, 23 Nov., A.L. Thompson's, 9-11am • Men & Boys Basketball Tournament - Saturday, 30 Nov., John Gray High School Gymnasium, 11am Annual observance of International Men’s Day is an occasion to highlight the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities; and their positive contributions to society . Family Resource Centre marks Men’s Day Last week, after almost a year of discussions, the UK issued its proposed changes for the Cayman Islands Constitution. Proposed changes; REMOVAL of governor’s power to write legislation REMOVAL of governor’s power to write standing orders for the LA RENAMING the Legislative Assembly to Parliament ADDITION of an eighth government minister CREATION of parliamentary secretaries CREATION of a Police Service Commission cayman compass 6 N news MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2019Christmas Community bring the entire family to the Compass Media Parking Lot vendors: book your booth space today! - 10x10’ tent, table & chairs provided - space is limited call penelope 949-5111 Today! december 7, 10am - 2 pm meet santa live music crafts & jewellery Lots of christmas gift ideas Lots of christmas gift ideas Rivers aims to educate filmmakers, scriptwriters RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Financial Services Minister Tara Rivers will mount a new campaign next year to clear Cayman’s name and she is heading to the heart of where some of the global public’s negative perceptions are fuelled. “It is time we take this fight to Hollywood,” Rivers said Friday during the budget debate in the Legislative Assembly. She said funds have been allocated in the 2020/2021 fiscal package to continue her ministry’s efforts to educate and dispel the misconceptions about Cayman’s financial services industry. While she said that Cayman efforts to change the perception of the industry are bearing fruit on the political stage, the global public still has a negative view of Cayman. This view, she said, is being propagated through adverse throwaway references to Cayman in film. “A targeted campaign for engagement with leading entertainment company executives is planned for the upcoming year. Our objectives for this effort are to correct the record, to educate content providers and to set the record straight about Cayman’s commitment to meeting international standards and its ongoing commitment to combat financial crime and tax evasion,” she told fellow lawmakers. Rivers said the end result of the planned campaign is to positively influence how the Cayman Islands is referenced in film and television, “or at the very least, help to minimise what is often seen as the erroneous and misleading and misinformed throwaway references to the Cayman Islands which, unfortunately, [are] still making [their] way into popular films and television,” she said. Cayman still lives under the shadow of the 1993 Hollywood movie ‘The Firm’, starring Tom Cruise and Gene Hackman, which painted the islands as a jurisdiction for money laundering and hiding money. Though the film is more than 25 years old, references to the Cayman Islands as a hub for avoiding taxes persist. Just recently, NBC’s popular show ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ referred to Cayman when trying to track illegal money in one of its episodes. Downpours fail to dampen Christmas spirit RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky There was no raining on the heady display of yuletide cheer at Camana Bay Saturday night as hundreds gathered for the annual Christmas tree lighting event at the Crescent. With the flip of a switch, thousands of twinkling lights flickered on the tree, much to the delight of those on hand for the official kick-off of the holiday season at the Camana Bay Town Centre. The tree lighting has become an annual tradition for Camana Bay as it heralds the start of weekly festivities, giveaways and opportunities to give back, according to a Dart statement. The event featured live entertainment from local musicians and dancers, and a special holiday market was also hosted prior to the start of the tree lighting event. The Cayman Youth Choir, Church of God Chapel of Children’s Choir, Cayman Music School and the Cayman Islands National Dance Company were among those entertaining the crowd of eager Christmas enthusiasts. The next Christmas-themed event at Camana Bay is the Parade of Lights, which is set for 7 Dec. The parade features brightly illuminated boats sailing through Camana Bay Harbour. Santa Claus arrives for the annual Christmas tree lighting on Saturday night at Camana Bay. 'The Firm' starring Tom Cruise, has cast a shadow over Cayman's reputation since it was released in 1993. Cayman sets sights on Hollywood cayman compass 7 news N news MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2019JAMES WHITTAKER jwhittaker@compassmedia.ky Many of the anticipated environmental impacts of the cruise berthing project were laid out following an exhaustive investigation in 2014 and 2015. The environmental impact assessment, led by coastal engineering firm Baird and Associates, examined everything from the impact on coral reefs in George Town Harbour to the potential for erosion on Seven Mile Beach. We combed through their final report and the report of the Environmental Assessment Board, led by Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie, to answer some of the key questions on the likely environmental consequences of the project. What is the expected impact on coral reefs in the harbour? The reports conclude that the project will involve the removal of coral habitat that has “significant economic and ecological value”. Critically endangered staghorn coral is found within the project footprint and critically endangered elkhorn coral is found on the adjacent reefs. The Environmental Assessment Board’s report indicated that the project would involve the “irreversible removal” of 15 acres of coral reef habitat. The project has since undergone design changes, moving the piers into deeper water to reduce that impact. The extent of that reduction has not yet been assessed by the environmental board. The contractors concede that the development will still result in the removal of at least 10 acres of reef habitat. The environmental board describes these reefs as “topographically complex” formations that converge in a network of tunnels that form a complex habitat supporting a diversity of species. The likely loss of coral reef habitat was graded as the highest possible tier of negative impact -E in Baird’s rating system. With a coral relocation plan, this could be upgraded to a -D, still considered a significant negative impact, according to the consultants. What about the impact of coral relocation? The contractor has indicated it plans to carry out a $10 million coral relocation project to move all the endangered corals and some of the more common corals from the primary impact zone. The environmental studies considered this approach and concluded that, while it offers a measure of mitigation, it will not achieve “no net loss of biodiversity”. The reports also indicate there is no guarantee of success and highlight the difficulty of transplanting huge three- dimensional structures that can reach heights of up to 15 feet. The board also commented that moving corals to another site would not replace the “functionality of the existing habitat” - in essence, the fish and other species that it supports. “All of these factors make it difficult to predict the success of a coral relocation project in the long term,” the board noted. The reports pitched the cost of coral relocation at anywhere between US$10 million and US$73 million. Government and Verdant Isle have outlined the basics of a CI$10 million relocation project, also involving the removal of the Balboa shipwreck from within the project site. The Compass will have full details on their plans in a story later this week. So, what about the Balboa? The Balboa is a 375-foot freighter that met its end after being dashed against the dock area in George Town in hurricane force winds following a voyage from Cuba in 1932. It has since become a popular dive site, though tours are restricted to night time because of port activities. The consultants classified the removal of the wreck as a significant cultural loss - rating at -E on its scale of impacts. Even if it is successfully relocated, they still classified the loss as a -D level impact. The Environmental Assessment Board cautioned that there was no guarantee that the wreck, which is strewn in pieces across the ocean floor, could be successfully moved and suggested a feasibility study looking at the condition and integrity of the wreck was needed. Verdant Isle has suggested it will be able to move the Balboa and that, in doing so, it will make the dive site, currently only accessible at night, easier to access for tourists. What about Eden Rock and Soto’s Reef? Among the most iconic dive sites in and around George Town Harbour, these two areas have been the focus of significant concern for divers and environmentalists. While they are outside the main dredge zone, the reports indicate adjacent reefs will suffer spin-off impacts. Baird’s EIA suggested around 15-20 acres of reef on either side of the port, including Eden Rock and Soto’s Reef would be subjected to “lethal and sub-lethal” impacts. Baird has since indicated that the new layout alters those dynamics slightly, moving the piers further away from Eden Rock. However, the new design positions the piers close to Soto’s Reef. The consultants’ initial assessment in 2015 warned that these reefs would suffer impacts from turbidity and sedimentation levels during construction and operation that would increase the potential for bleaching and coral mortality. The Environmental Assessment Board describes these impacts as “major stress” that will impact the long-term resilience of the reef system. It notes that mitigation measures, like silt screens, could reduce the negative impact from extreme (-D on the consultant’s scale) to moderate (-C). Will the project have any impact on Seven Mile Beach? Any evidence of threat to Cayman’s most famous beach would have prompted government to stop the project, according to Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell. Despite recent concerns expressed by the Central Report outlines likely environmental impacts of port The issue explained: PORT VOTE issues The EIA suggested there would be no major impact to Seven Mile Beach from the project. cayman compass 8 I issues MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2019 cayman compass 8 I issues MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2019Caribbean Marine Institute about the overall detriment to Cayman’s ‘sand budget’ from the destruction of reefs, the reports do indicate that the project is unlikely to have any negative influence on Seven Mile Beach. The assessment board concurred with this analysis at the time, stating, “We note the conclusions that no large-scale changes to the prevailing sediment transport patterns will arise as a result of the project. “The EAB is satisfied that the results of the sediment transport modelling confirm/verify previously understood mechanisms for sediment transport regimes between George Town Harbour and Seven Mile Beach.” What about the economic value of the reefs? Baird’s report attempted to calculate a monetary value for the commercial and ecosystem services provided by the reefs and came up with a figure of between $19 million and $22 million annually. The lion’s share of that value came from direct spending on tourism and recreation, primarily watersports activities in and around the harbour reefs. The report also highlighted potential job and business losses in the water sports industry, as well as the more obvious loss of at least 40 jobs in the tender business. It also highlighted negative impacts on restaurants which are expected to lose business during the three-year construction phase. Some of these impacts may need to be mitigated through compensation to businesses and assistance in retraining for those left unemployed, the reports state. Were these impacts factored into the overall projections for the economic impact of the port? Some of these concerns, such as the loss of jobs in the tender industry, were considered. Others were not. An addendum to the original business case was prepared by PwC to assess the validity of the figures in the environmental impact assessment and crunch those numbers into its overall analysis. The PwC report suggests putting a financial value on the reefs is extremely difficult. It notes that the figures in the EIA relate to the entire harbour, not just the project footprint, and raises other questions about the methodology used to derive those numbers. Ultimately, PwC suggests a wide ambit for the possible economic impacts of the project on the reefs, pitching it at anywhere between $42 million and $327 million over the life of the project. At the high end, it appears to acknowledge that this could impact the viability of the project. “This means the net impact of the Cruise Berthing Facility ranges from a benefit of $203 million to a cost of $72 million,” the addendum states. However, that report also factored in new data suggesting that there would be an increase in passenger spending associated with the port project because visitors would spend more time onshore. If that data is correct, PwC said the overall project benefits range from $112 million on the low end to $439 million, adding that this could increase with greater arrival numbers. What about the impact of increased cruise tourism on the rest of the island? The report sounds a cautionary note on the subject of over-tourism and warns that some businesses will be forced out of George Town, adding to the potential for overcrowding elsewhere. “The Environmental Statement identifies the need to undertake carrying capacity studies of those natural attractions… which will function as alternate sites or locations for watersports and recreational activities resulting from the predicted dislocation of businesses from George Town Harbour,” the EAB report states in its summary. What else do the documents say? The reports highlight concerns about traffic and water clarity, as well as the views in George Town, among other concerns. The loss of the scenic harbour view was identified by the consulants as an unquantifiable impact. Important Information www.butterfieldgroup.com Banking Closure Notice Monday, 18 November 2019 On Monday, 18 November 2019 all Butterfield Banking Centres will close at 2:00 p.m. for our annual employee meeting. Thank you. The Environmental Assessment Board’s report states, "The loss of the panoramic vistas of George Town Harbour from shore and from sea looking landward is one of the most subjective aspects of the EIA yet has a significant permanent irreversible effect on the character and appearance of George Town Harbour and Hog Sty Bay. Additionally, changes in appearance to the uniquely clear and visually appealing waters which are part of the defining character of George Town Harbour will have a lasting negative impact.” cayman compass 9 I issues MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2019 cayman compass 9 I issues MONDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 2019Next >