caymannational.com More branches. More ATMs. More smiles. cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 75 CENTS | Funding local journalism | Wednesday, 19 February 2020 LIVING Arts and Culture Awards recipients announced Pages 14 and 15 Auditor: Government financial reporting improves Page 5 Cayman regiment cadets begin Bermuda training Page 6 Drugs, cash seized in West Bay raids Page 11 Cayman placed on EU blacklist Pages 2 and 4 n yMatinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) 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. WHAT’S PLAYING THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19 1917 (R) 12:40 | 7:00 BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (R) 12:55 VIP | 3:55 | 7:00 | 9:35 VIP BIRDS OF PREY (R) 1:00 | 4:00 VIP | 9:35 BLUMHOUSE’S FANTASY ISLAND (PG-13) 1:15 | 3:45 | 6:30 | 6:55 VIP | 9:50 DOLITTLE (PG) 3:55 | 9:50 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG) 12:50 | 4:05 | 6:40 | 9:10 THE PHOTOGRAPH (PG-13) 1:10 | 3:50 | 6:45 | 9:25 PRINTED 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-IN-CHIEF KEVIN MORALES Partly cloudy skies with a 20% chance of early morning showers. weather Forecast today Cayman Islands 86°F 75°F HIGH LOW WINDS Northeast at 10 to 15 knots. SEA STATE Moderate with wave heights of 3 to 5 feet. FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass Missed legislative reform deadline MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@compassmedia.ky The European Union has added the Cayman Islands, together with Palau, Panama and the Seychelles, to its list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions at a meeting of the bloc’s finance ministers on Tuesday. In a press statement, the EU said, “These jurisdictions did not implement the tax reforms to which they had committed by the agreed deadline.” The Cayman Islands had committed to address by the end of last year EU concerns over economic substance in the area of collective investment funds. At the last review of the list in March 2019, the European body concluded that Cayman, as well as the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands, needed further technical guidance from the EU Code of Conduct Group on Business Taxation and had until the end of 2019 to adapt local legislation. The technical guidance was issued in May last year and stated that Cayman funds legislation would be assessed in four areas: the authorisation and registration of funds; supervision and enforcement; valuation, accounting and auditing of funds; and depositary rules. Cayman’s Legislative Assembly amended the Mutual Funds Law and passed a new Private Funds Law accordingly, implementing new rules for the registration, administration and supervision of funds at the end of January 2020. However, it appears this was too late. The council conclusions on the revised EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes simply stated the Cayman Islands “does not have appropriate measures in place relating to economic substance in the area of collective investment vehicles”. The EU said its Code of Conduct Group would continue to monitor the enactment of reforms and remove jurisdictions from the list once the commitments are met. The tax list is updated twice a year, with the next review scheduled for October. Listed countries face reputational damage, greater scrutiny in their financial transactions and the loss of EU funding. Transactions with listed countries will be subject to stricter monitoring and taxpayers who benefit from listed regimes or use structures or arrangements involving these jurisdictions are more likely to be audited. In November 2019, the council invited member states to use the EU list to apply controlled foreign company (CFC) rules, withholding tax measures, the non-deductibility of costs, or to limit the participation exemption on profit distribution. The council suggests that member states should use one or all these legislative defensive measures regarding listed jurisdictions from the beginning of next year. Premier Alden McLaughlin said government has already contacted EU officials to begin the process of being removed from the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions as soon as possible. McLaughlin said the EU’s decision was “deeply disappointing”, noting that over the past two years, Cayman had cooperated with the EU to deliver on its commitments to enhance tax good governance. Since 2018, Cayman has adopted more than 15 legislative changes in line with EU criteria. McLaughlin said the EU was notified that Cayman would pass its funds-related legislation by 31 Jan. “However, it appears that the listing stems from Cayman’s legislation not being in force by 4 February, which was the date of the EU’s Code of Conduct Group (CoCG) meeting to advise the EU Finance Ministers, prior to the Finance Ministers’ decision regarding the listing today.” The Private Funds and the Mutual Funds (Amendment) laws came into force on 7 Feb. He added, “While Cayman consulted with a number of stakeholders on our legislation, including our financial services industry, the principal components of our new and revised laws were shaped by the EU’s criteria.” The EU council decision echoes a similar listing of Bermuda last year, after that jurisdiction failed to implement legislation in time for the tax-list review. Bermuda was taken off the list two months later. McLaughlin said the Cayman Islands will continue to constructively engage and remains fully committed to cooperating with the EU to see Cayman removed from the list. The EU’s screening and monitoring process continues to be criticised both for being arbitrary and for not including countries that are typically considered tax havens, including EU member states. Tax transparency campaigners on Tuesday lauded the blacklisting of the Cayman Islands, but said the list was falling short because the EU removed other offshore centres from the screening process. Chiara Putaturo, Oxfam’s EU Policy Advisor on Tax and Inequalities, said in a press statement, “We are glad to see that EU governments added Panama, the Cayman Islands and the Seychelles to the tax haven blacklist, as they should be. However, the list still proves inadequate: EU governments have let the Bahamas, Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands – some of the world’s most harmful tax havens – off the hook.” She said the jurisdictions were running an unfair tax competition that led to a race to the bottom in corporate tax by offering zero-, or very low-, tax rates, which in turn meant companies could avoid paying their fair share. “What’s more, the credibility of the blacklisting process continues to be undermined by the EU’s own tax havens. They are exempted from the screening despite failing the EU criteria and offering sweetheart tax deals to companies,” Putaturo added. “The EU needs to strengthen its blacklisting criteria, put its own house in order and push for an ambitious and effective minimum tax rate at global level.” Such a worldwide minimum level of corporate tax is currently being negotiated by the OECD and the Inclusive Framework on BEPS, a group of 137 countries and jurisdictions. See page 4 for more reactions to the announcement. EU adds Cayman to blacklist The European Union's tax list is updated twice a year, with the next review scheduled for October. cayman compass 2 news N news WEDNESDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2020 Members of the public are asked to submit comments on a plan that seeks to restore and maintain the natural functioning of the Meagre Bay Pond protected area, as well as facilitating sustainable public enjoyment of its bird life and natural landscape. To establish separation between waters of the protected area and adjacent submerged quarries To preserve the protected area water level’s ability to overflow and discharge after extreme rain episodes To facilitate natural regeneration of Black Mangrove forest and other wetland communities around the pond To maintain the historic seasonal patterns of diversity and abundance of bird life and other native species in the protected area To provide appropriate access for the visiting public to view and enjoy the bird life and the natural landscape of the protected area Location Public review: Meagre Bay Pond Management Plan GOAL #1 GOAL #2 GOAL #3 GOAL #4 GOAL #5 Meagre Bay Pond is located in Bodden Town, Grand Cayman near the south coast in Pease Bay. It lies on the southernmost margin of the Central Mangrove Wetland and immediately east of a complex of submerged quarries. The protected area boundary (shown in red in the map below) lies 300 ft. landward of the pond shore or to the edge of the Bodden Town Road reservation. PUBLIC REVIEW: The National Conservation Council is seeking public comments on the proposal to manage the Meagre Bay Pond protected area. The public consultation period on the management plan will begin on 19 Feb., 2020 and end on 18 April, 2020. Copies of the management plan proposal may be obtained at the Department of Environment (DoE) offices, 580 North Sound Road, Grand Cayman, at the Bodden Town public library, the Brac administration building or at the Little Cayman administration building. The plan may also be viewed online at www.doe.ky Please note: Comments on the proposal may be received at the DoE offices, mailed to PO Box 10202, Grand Cayman KY1-1002, or sent via email to ConservationCouncil@gov.ky. A survey document will also be made available at www.doe.ky and on DoE social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter). cayman compass 3 WEDNESDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2020YesterdaY's sOLUtIONs 1234567 8 910 1112 131415 1617 18192021 2223 2425 1234567 8 910 1112 131415 1617 18192021 2223 2425 Puzzle 16304 ACROSS: 1 Cripple, 5 Aesop, 8 To say the least, 9 Heave, 10 Lattice, 11 Estate, 12 Wanton, 15 Panacea, 17 Sheaf, 19 Shot in the dark, 20 Disco, 21 Speaker. DOWN: 1 Catch, 2 Instantaneous, 3 Payment, 4 Exhale, 5 Allot, 6 Stab in the back, 7 Pattern, 11 Exposed, 13 Austere, 14 Cactus, 16 Chino, 18 Fakir. aCrOss 1 Spring back (6) 4 Incite (6) 9 Shiver with horror (7) 10 Reject with contempt (5) 11 Defamation in writing (5) 12 Azure (3,4) 13 Relevant example (4,2,5) 18 Wildly excited (7) 20 The Devil (5) 22 Tidiness (5) 23 To nurture (7) 24 Proffer (6) 25 Genial and relaxed (6) dOWN 1 Steal cattle (6) 2 Small particle (5) 3 Pamper (7) 5 Out of practice (5) 6 Weakly sentimental (7) 7 Subterranean passage (6) 8 Arguments for and against (4,3,4) 14 Lack of inhibition (7) 15 Conceal from sight (7) 16 At sea (6) 17 In haphazard way (6) 19 Crisply brief (5) 21 A testing ordeal (5) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16305 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. MICHAEL KLEIN mklein@compassmedia.ky Opposition and industry representatives have expressed support for the government’s ongoing dialogue with the European Union and efforts to have Cayman taken off a list of uncooperative tax jurisdictions. The EU council of finance ministers confirmed Cayman’s inclusion on the tax list on Tuesday, stating that it had not implemented promised tax reforms by the agreed deadline. Legislators amended the Private Funds Law and the Mutual Funds Amendment Law at the end of January, but those laws came into force on 7 Feb, three days after the cut-off date set by the EU. Bodden Town West MLA Chris Saunders said he is “deeply concerned and saddened” that Cayman finds itself in this position. “Like many, I too have questions regarding the actions or inactions that led to this blacklisting by the EU. As previously stated, the primary focus at this time is to not find blame but rather that we all work together to restore Cayman’s well-earned reputation as a highly regulated jurisdiction that is a good place to do business.” Saunders said it was important for the government to provide an update to the public on how Brexit is impacting the way Cayman conducts business, trade and travel with the EU. Cayman Finance, the umbrella organisation representing the financial services industry, said in a statement that it fully supports the actions taken by the Cayman Islands government to constructively engage with EU officials to have Cayman removed from the list. Cayman Finance CEO Jude Scott said Cayman’s track record of meeting evolving global standards is expected to continue. “As an organisation, we stand ready to work with government, as it sees fit, as it cooperates with the EU to be removed from the list. We anticipate this decision will happen in the not-too-distant future.” Scott said Cayman has already introduced enhanced oversight of investment funds in response to the EU and other standard-setting bodies. “Just as approximately 30 other jurisdictions were removed after taking the necessary actions, we look forward to the same happening with regard to the Cayman Islands. In the meantime, clients can continue to expect the usual high professional standards from their Cayman service providers that they have always received,” Scott added. He noted Cayman has adopted at least as many global standards for transparency as any G20 country and proactively shares tax information with more than 100 countries under the OECD Common Reporting Standard. The Cayman Islands Directors Association said it was “obviously disappointed” by the EU decision to include Cayman on the tax list. “CIDA, along with other private sector organisations, [has] worked tirelessly along with the government, to devise and implement relevant and effective legislation,” CIDA said. “As one of the world’s leading financial centres and a domicile of choice for investment funds, we are committed to continued cooperation and engagement on this issue. We remain optimistic that there will be fair play and proper recognition of the steps which have been and continue to be taken, to address the EU’s concerns.” STEP Cayman Islands added that it “supports the work of the Cayman Islands government and its resolve to continue to engage with the EU to ensure that Cayman is removed from the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions with all haste”. Cayman International Insurance said the “technical listing” would not impact or hinder Cayman-based international insurers and reinsurers in supporting their clients. “Internationally recognised standards for regulation will continue to be met and we are confident that recent legislation passed by the Cayman Islands government will be affirmed as meeting the required standards and will lead to our removal from the listing at the next possible opportunity,” the insurance managers association said. Cayman Islands Institute of Professional Accountants CEO Sheree Ebanks said her organisation fully supports the government’s efforts towards delisting. “CIIPA is committed to continue to work with government to overcome the technical issues that led to the EU’s decision, and with the excellent public sector- private industry collaboration will be removed from this list at the earliest possible opportunity,” she said. EU blacklist: Opposition, industry support government’s efforts Legislators amended the Private Funds Law and the Mutual Funds Amendment Law at the end of January, but those laws came into force on 7 Feb, three days after the cut-off date set by the EU . cartoon The right to protest - By Caymanman No more culling No more cars Leave Smith Barcadere alone Play more local music Impeach the CPA Save the whales Trump 2020 My beach back, Jack No more roundabouts Chris Saunders 4MEDIA LTD. HURLEY’S FEB 22 2020 12pm- 5pm The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Registration at alexpantonfoundation.ky Registration is free, spaces limited EARLY REGISTRATION IS ADVISED. CME CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE PLEASE JOIN US AT THE EMPOWERING YOUTH. INSPIRING HOPE. 3 RD ANNUAL YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM Concerns over tabling reports continue RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Auditor General Sue Winspear has welcomed improvements in financial reporting from government entities. However, she said, concerns remain over timely tabling of annual reports and financial statements in the Legislative Assembly. “Such delays in the tabling of annual reports significantly impairs the attainment of full accountability as key stakeholders and the wider public are not receiving information of entities operations in a timely manner, resulting in the reports having reduced relevance in decision making,” she said in her latest report on government financial reporting, which was released Monday. Winspear said although there is some positivity in the increased number of reports tabled, “there is still concern” regarding the significant time it took for these reports to reach the Legislative Assembly, noting, “72 reports took over six months from audit completion to be tabled. There are 49 audited reports that have not been tabled as of this report, of which 41 are beyond six months of their audit completion dates." Improvements Winspear said she was pleased with the positive strides that entities have made over the years when it comes to their reporting. “I am delighted that of the 36 audited so far, I have not given a single audit qualification, which demonstrates the marked improvement in the quality of government financial reporting over the years. It also means that by the end of 2019, my office has virtually cleared the audit backlog leaving only four entities still with audits outstanding,” she said in her statement on the report. Based on numbers in the report in the 2008-09 period, only 37% of entity audits were unqualified, 39% of them were qualified, and 24% were disclaimed, as compared to 100% unqualified to date for the 2018 audits. A qualified opinion is issued when financial information provided has limited scope or has material issues, while an unqualified opinion means financial records were presented fairly and appropriately without any identified exceptions. “Whilst the story is one of progress regarding financial reporting, specifically at the individual entity level, there is still more that can be done before achieving the level of accountability as expected by accounting standards and as envisioned in the Public Management and Finance Law,” Winspear said. Outstanding audits flagged Only four entities remain with outstanding audits – the Ministry of Health, Environment and Culture; the Cayman Islands Airports Authority; the Cayman Turtle Centre; and Cayman Airways Limited. The Ministry of Health, Environment and Culture, and the Airports Authority, Winspear said, are outstanding for the prior period of 2016-17, as well. Winspear told the Cayman Compass, in an email response to queries on these entities, that she expects her office to be signing off on Cayman Airways this week. “They will be receiving an unqualified opinion so the entities outstanding will drop to three,” she said. While the delayed reports are a concern, Winspear said she remained optimistic. “Each entity is on its own improvement journey and I trust that the Ministry of Health, Environment and Culture and the Airports Authority will work with us to get their audits up to date later this year. The Ministry of Education made great strides during 2019 in clearing their audit backlog,” she added. She said, in the case of the outstanding audits, there were various problems encountered and her office has been working with the entities to try to enable them to resolve matters rather than qualify their financial statements. “For example, during the 2016-17 audit of the [Cayman] Turtle Centre, a cash theft was discovered, and then fraudulent expenditure was found. This held that audit up for a good while because we had to work through and quantify each matter as it was found. The 2016- 17 audit is now complete, but consequently the 2018 audit for the Turtle Centre is behind,” she pointed out. At this time, she said, her office will pause these backlogged jobs until the 2019 financial audit peak is over at the end of April, and then pick up the three entities again. “We hope to clear their audits before the summer,” she added. She also pointed out that the consolidated Entire Public Sector account, which includes the consolidation of the 40 public sector entities, along with the ‘executive’ expenditure and coercive revenues of the government, has not yet been audited for 2018. The government’s EPS account received an adverse opinion for the 2016-17 financial period due to numerous issues, she said. The financial results reported by statutory authorities and government companies provide a “mixed picture”. The Port Authority and the Water Authority both recorded surpluses in 2018 for the first time since 2014-15, but some 13 SAGCs recorded a deficit in 2018. The University College of the Cayman Islands, the National Drug Council and the National Gallery went from a surplus in 2016-17 to a deficit position in 2018. Auditor: Government financial reporting improves • Timely audit of the consolidated entire public sector accounts. • Timely laying of annual reports, including financial statements and audit opinions, in the Legislative Assembly. • Publication of reports on the entity and Legislative Assembly websites. • Enhance the framework for reporting service performance information. • Remove impediments to further improve timeliness, quality and usefulness of the financial statements. Auditor General Sue Winspear Childcare Trained sitters for homes, condos or relief work. Part or full time services. Housekeeping Service Homes or Condos by hourly rate. Excellent staff and very reliable. A locally owned and operated Agency license, bonded and insured. Excellent references available Call today for rate and to book 947-2297 Report recommendations for government 5produce, not only for our own, but [for] others looking for that kind of training. All going well, and it should, there will be other Overseas Territories looking to start a regiment, and I would be happy to be a part of that package,” he added. The establishment of a Cayman Regiment was announced late last year. Premier Alden McLaughlin, speaking in the Legislative Assembly last month, stressed the importance of the development of a regiment, especially in light of the 28 Jan. earthquake. He added that the regiment will be a pathway for Caymanians to get training and become officers and will be a “symbol of pride”. Government has previously said the officers currently being trained will assist senior officers to recruit the first 50 reservists, all of whom will receive basic training in Bermuda in July. Former UK Royal Dragoon Guard Simon Watson was appointed last month as commanding officer for the local regiment. Watson is supported by Simon Spiers and former Trinidad and Tobago judge Andre Mon Desir, who serves as senior legal advisor. Bodden Town brother and sister Theodore and Shanice Kelly are among those in Cayman’s contingent undergoing training. Theodore Kelly, 29, a property manager and assistant boxing coach, said he was relieved they had been both been picked as they are quite close. He and his sister were both in the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps. He said in the RBR statement that, as a former master sergeant, he had considered a career as a British Army officer a decade ago, but he wound up going down another path. “People say second chances don’t come, but I signed up for it and just did my best. It wasn’t a competition as such,” he said in the statement. For Shandice Kelly, 27, the prospect of two weeks of tough training in the regiment was not as challenging as the climbing wall at the Warwick Camp assault course. “I’m not scared of heights, but I am scared of falling,” she said in the RBR statement. Other Cayman cadets include Selena Sookoosingh, Halston Farley and Gabe Rabess. They said they were happy to be in Bermuda as the camp began on Sunday. Bodden Town resident Farley, 35, said he was looking forward to seeing how things are done in Bermuda “because we have to go back and start our regiment up”. Police officer Rabess, 48, said his RCIPS training and time as an firefighter in London have prepared him for the rigours of military life. “I’m not really nervous. I’m looking forward to the weapons handling and map reading because I haven’t done that for a while,” he said in the statement. Former Cayman cadet soldier Jonassi Swaby, 26, also once a Cayman Cadet Force junior soldier, said he welcomed the opportunity. RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Cayman’s first regiment officers commenced their training with the Royal Bermuda Regiment over the weekend. The six junior officers, who were picked from a field of 70 applicants, joined more than 30 Bermudian volunteers for basic training, according to a media release from the Royal Bermuda Regiment. The officers will undergo three weeks of initial training with the Royal Bermuda Regiment before heading off for further training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, UK, later this year. The six will serve as full-time officers for a year before becoming reservists and reverting to their previous careers. Royal Bermuda Regiment Corporal Dijon Arruda will help train the new intake of soldiers. He is a part- time soldier who works in purchasing at the Hamilton Princess Hotel in Bermuda’s capital, Hamilton, according to the statement. Arruda said it was a privilege to get the opportunity to help train the Cayman contingent. “At the same time, it shows what the RBR can Cayman regiment cadets begin Bermuda training Members of the new Cayman Regiment after their first dinner in uniform at the Warwick Camp canteen. From left are Theodore Kelly, Jonassi Swaby, Shanice Kelly, Halston Farley and Gabe Rabess. Churchill’s Funeral Home We have been asked to announce the passing of Mr. Turner “Macardy” Rankine, who passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. A Thanksgiving Service will be held at Webster Memorial United Church, Bodden Town, Grand Cayman on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Viewing: 1:00 p.m. –2:00 p.m. Interment at: Old Pease Bay Cemetery Condolences can be registered at churchillsfuneralhome.com The six will serve as full-time officers for a year before becoming reservists and reverting to their previous careers . “I’m happy to be in Bermuda – I love it, except for the cold. I aim to get refreshed on my drill, become a better leader, and build my confidence with my peers. This will get us back in shape and prepare us physically and mentally for Sandhurst,” he said. 6Scholarship to pursue A level Studies CUC is proud to offer a scholarship for Caymanian students seeking to pursue Advanced Level (A level) studies at a local high school. The scholarship will be awarded with a particular focus on students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Applicants must: have already obtained, or expect to obtain, during the current school year, adequate academic qualifications to be accepted into Advanced Level (A level) studies or equivalent; be Caymanian or hold Caymanian Status; be involved in school and/or volunteer activities; provide references. The scholarship will also provide an opportunity to gain hands-on work experience and develop further skills, which will benefit the successful applicant in their studies and possible future career with CUC. To review the General Rules and Guidelines and apply, visit the “Scholarships” page under the “Careers” tab on CUC’s Home Page (www.cuc-cayman.com). Click on the “Apply Here” link, complete the online forms and follow the instructions. Applications must be submitted not later than Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Hard copies will not be accepted. For more information on these and other scholarship opportunities, please contact CUC’s Human Resources & Employee Development Department via e-mail at careers@cuc.ky. Students invited to apply for a Scholarship The Environmental Management System at the North Sound Road Power Plant is registered to ISO 14001 RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky Premier Alden McLaughlin has welcomed the appointment of Baroness Elizabeth Sugg as the new UK Overseas Territories Minister. Sugg was named Overseas Territories and Sustainable Development Minister Monday, following UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Cabinet reshuffle. She takes over from Lord Tariq Ahmad, whose responsibilities have now been shifted to Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict. McLaughlin, in a brief comment to the Cayman Compass Tuesday on the appointments, said, “I look forward to working with Baroness Sugg as we continue our strong partnership with the United Kingdom.” He said both he and the government welcome Sugg as the new minister with responsibility for the Overseas Territories. “I look forward to meeting her,” he added. The premier also wished Ahmad well in his new role and thanked him for “his dedication to the Overseas Territories, and particularly to the Cayman Islands”. Ahmad was instrumental in government’s push for constitutional changes to limit the UK’s ability to legislate for the Cayman Islands without consultation. In December, local legislators voted unanimously for those constitutional changes. The UK agreed to make changes to the Constitution, to include a mandatory requirement for consultation on any proposed legislation or Orders in Council that will directly impact the Cayman Islands, and the removal of key reserve powers from the governor to write legislation, disallow legislation and write standing orders for the Legislative Assembly. The UK agreed to the addition of an eighth minister, but that was deferred until the next term, i.e., after the 2021 general election. Those changes are progressing through the final stages in the UK. McLaughlin congratulated both Sugg and Ahmad on his official Twitter account. The premier also highlighted Ahmad’s assistance to the Cayman Islands and tagged him in his tweet, thanking him for his “approach when working with Cayman and all the Territories over the last few years”. “Your sense of partnership and friendship with the [British Overseas Territories] is greatly appreciated. I wish you every success in your new role,” McLaughlin said in his tweet. Sugg, following her appointment, tweeted on her Twitter account that she was “delighted” to be returning as a minister to the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She said she is looking forward to “delivering”. Under her new role, Sugg will also have responsibility for gender equality. “I’ll be covering education and working towards 12 years of quality education for every girl in the world,” she said on Twitter. Premier welcomes new OT minister Baroness Elizabeth Sugg • Mandatory consultation on laws directly affect- ing the Cayman Islands • Removal of governor’s power to write legislation • Removal of governor’s power to write standing orders for the Legislative Assembly • Renaming the Legislative Assembly to Parliament • Addition of an eighth minister (deferred until the next election) • Creation of parliamen- tary secretaries • Creation of a Police Service Commission Some of Cayman’s constitutional changes cayman compass 7 WEDNESDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2020dartscholar.ky Beyond prestige and financial support for both high school and university students, the Dart Scholarship provides young Caymanians with life-changing experience in the real world of industry. If you’re a high achieving Caymanian student with aspirations to be a future leader and innovator, we invite you to apply for the 2020 programme. A whole new world of possibilities. It begins with a simple application. The William A Dart University Scholarship Submit your application by 15 May 2020 In a letter in the journal Science this week, marine scientists have appealed for stronger policies to protect threatened migratory marine species, such as sharks, in the Caribbean. Led by conservation NGO Beneath the Waves, based out of Washington, DC, the diverse group of scientists stated in the letter that the Greater Caribbean has been overlooked in conversations about implementing large marine- protected areas. In a press release, Beneath the Waves stated, “With up to one-third of all open ocean shark species threatened [with] extinction due to overfishing, conservation strategies that protect areas where sharks spent significant portions of their time are becoming increasingly important. In light of recent calls to protect 30% of our oceans by 2030, large marine protected areas, which can stretch from 100,000 sq. km to over 300,000 sq. km, have emerged as a popular management tool for their potential to enhance ecological processes and promote sustainable fisheries. “One of the greatest benefits of these large conservation zones is their potential to conserve sharks, which travel long distances and can connect multiple jurisdictions over short time periods.” Austin Gallagher, chief scientist at Beneath the Waves and one of the co-authors of the Science letter, said in the release, “The diversity of countries sharing ocean space in the Greater Caribbean is remarkable, and we know that migratory shark species connect many of these countries along their migrations. Though there are many examples of establishing marine- protected areas in the region, there are few that are big enough to encompass the space use of large sharks, such as tiger sharks which can move thousands of miles per year.” He said that as a result of their wide migratory routes, sharks often venture into “risky waters where they can be picked up by commercial fishing operations – or they are commonly killed for local consumption”, adding, “These catches are rarely if ever reported, which is particularly alarming.” The Cayman Islands’ National Conservation Law, which was enacted in April 2015, provides protection for sharks, and researchers have reported that their data shows the abundance of sharks in Cayman waters is higher than in many parts of the Caribbean. A partnership between Marine Conservation International and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment led to the creation in 2009 of the Shark Conservation Cayman programme, which helped push for the complete protection of sharks and rays under the National Conservation Law. Under that law, it is illegal to fish for sharks in Cayman waters. The Beneath the Waves press release noted that recent research suggests that sharks are “surprisingly rare” in many Caribbean nations, likely due to decades of unregulated over- harvesting. However, certain areas such as the Bahamas, which have banned longline fishing and protected sharks in recent decades, have benefitted from the significant socioeconomic inputs generated from live sharks in the diving industry, estimated to be over US$140 million per year. “It has been amazing to see the push for protected areas worldwide, and in places like the Pacific. But if arresting species decline globally is a priority, then the Caribbean also should be in these discussions. It would be a shame to see the region suffer a similar fate as the Mediterranean, which has no large marine protected areas and virtually no large sharks,” Gallagher said. “Given that the region relies on healthy oceans for a tourism product, big marine protected areas that engage the local community could be a win-win.” The letter in Science pointed out that there are 33 large-scale marine protection areas worldwide, but none in the Caribbean Sea. "Although there is a rich history of the establishment of MPAs in the Greater Caribbean, the majority allow fishing and do not take into account the representation of ocean habitats and connectivity required to encompass the space use of migratory species." Co-authors of the letter to Science were Diva Amon of the Natural History Museum London, Tadzio Bervoets of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, Oliver Shipley of Stony Brook University, Neil Hammerschlag of the University of Miami, and David Sims of the Marine Biological Association of the UK/University of Southampton. Scientists call for greater protection for sharks “One of the greatest benefits of these large conservation zones is their potential to conserve sharks, which travel long distances and can connect multiple jurisdictions over short time periods.” Beneath the Waves statement Tiger sharks are among the migratory shark species found in the Caribbean. cayman compass 8 WEDNESDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2020The Thomson Leadership and Innovation Award Scholarship Programme We’re looking for Innovators What is The Thomson Leadership and Innovation Award? The Thomson Leadership and Innovation Award is a scholarship designed to recruit and support Caymanian students who are driven to improve the Cayman Islands in areas including, but not limited to, entrepreneurial studies, emerging technologies, design and creative arts and/or the sciences. Who are we looking for? To become a Thomson Leadership and Innovation Award scholar, you are a creative thinker and innovator. You have created, lead and/or inspired others to make a measurable impact of change in a community project or in a business. You are passionate and driven to succeed in an emerging field that is underrepresented or wholly not represented in the Cayman Islands, or you desire to bring a completely new perspective to a traditional and longstanding field or industry and require further education to do so. What does the Scholarship cover? The award is valued up to a maximum of US$30,000.00 per annum, is renewable within limitations and applicable towards the completion of the course of study. The award will be paid directly to the institution of study and allocated to the student’s account. The award can be used to fund travel, tuition, student and course fees, course texts, materials and supplies and/or housing/living subsistence on campus. How do I apply? To review the General Rules and Guidelines and apply, visit the “The Thomson Leadership and Innovation Award” page under the “Careers” tab on CUC’s Home Page (www.cuc-cayman.com). Click on the “Apply Here” link, complete the online forms and follow the instructions. Applications must be submitted not later than Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Hard copies will not be accepted. For more information, e-mail pntscholarships@cuc.ky. ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Shane Connor, of East End, on Monday abandoned his application to dismiss charges of aggravated burglary, robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm, attempted burglary, theft and damage to property. The charges stem from several incidents that occurred on 17 June 2017. Connor is alleged to have participated in a home invasion during which an elderly couple was bound to a chair, and robbed at gunpoint. Two other men previously pleaded guilty to the crime, and another was convicted following a trial. Appearing in the Grand Court dock on Monday, Connor demanded that he be given a chance to put his concerns on the record, before he would enter any pleas. Justice Philip St. John- Stevens asked whether Connor’s attorney, Lee Halliday-Davis, was aware of what her client intended to say. Connor was warned that anything he said in open court could be used against him if he chose to go to trial. Connor replied that he had “served” his attorney with his statement, and then proceeded to list his demands. “The police took statements from my parents about where I was on the night [of the home invasion],” said Connor, “I want the police to go and get those statements and produce them as evidence.” Connor went on to demand that a Queen’s Counsel be added as the lead defence counsel in his matter, and that a DNA expert and a firearms expert be called to give evidence. A total of 35 witnesses are listed in the indictment, and Connor demanded that all of them be asked to give evidence. “I want all of them to give evidence from the [witness] box,” said Connor. “Nothing will be agreed, and nothing will be read into the record.” Connor called for a swift resolution of the matter and the earliest possible court date. However, Department of Public Prosecutions Director Patrick Moran highlighted the difficulties that Connor’s demands posed. “The trial of [another defendant] in this matter lasted for approximately four weeks,” said Moran. “During that trial, a significant amount of evidence was agreed by counsel, and was read into the record.” “Several of the witnesses that are listed in Mr. Connor’s case are overseas and will require sometime to track down,” added Moran. “Therefore, it would be very difficult to say when and/or how long this trial would last if all 35 witnesses are to be called to give evidence.” Connor said the prosecution’s bundles were lacking several items, such as statements from some witnesses, including police officers. St. John-Stevens ordered that the prosecution serve the information requested. While reading from his statement, Connor expressed his distrust with the way the prosecution has handled his case. Moran later replied that the prosecution gave no comment on the matter, and that its silence was in no way a sign of admitting to or denying the concerns raised by Connor. The judge reassured Connor that the process was fair, and the courts would ensure that the matter is dealt with in a timely manner. Connor went on to plead not guilty to all the charges. He was remanded into custody and is expected to return to court in March. Man denies home invasion charges Shane Connor appeared in Grand Court on Monday. 9Next >