cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Weekly, 29 April - 5 May 2022 make it EASTERN AVENUE THE PRISON PAPERS The Compass opens the case files on the brothers too dangerous for Cayman Pages 5, 21-24Matinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $9.00 (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 lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. 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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 NEWS EDITOR CAROLINE JAMES BUSINESS EDITOR MICHAEL KLEIN ISSUES EDITOR JAMES WHITTAKER LIVING EDITOR VICKI WHEATON HEAD OF SALES CHERYL BIRCHGILLIES weather Friday Forecast FORECAST Partly cloudy skies with a 40% chance of showers. SEA STATE Moderate with a wave height of 3 to 5 feet. WINDS East to northeast at 10 to 15 knots. 88°F HIGH 75°F LOW Coast Guard calls off search-and-recovery operation The Cayman Islands Coast Guard called off a search-and-recovery operation for three missing boaters on 27 April, after four- and-a-half days of intense efforts. The Coast Guard stood down its search efforts at 6pm, “based on time elapsed and nothing [having] been seen/found”, the RCIPS said in a statement. The search for the men began shortly after 1pm on Friday, 22 April, after authorities were alerted to several packages fl oating in the North Sound and along the coastline. One man, a 35-year-old Jamaican national, was rescued shortly after the initial search began. He was taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. Upon his release, he was arrested in connection with the 945 pounds of ganja recovered from the floating packages, and was charged with illegal landing and importation of ganja. He has been remanded into custody. Three other men, who are thought to have been on the now-capsized vessel, are believed to have fallen overboard. On 25 April, the Coast Guard shifted its efforts from search and rescue to search and recovery after the 72-hour mark was crossed. Government to be majority owner of renewable-energy plants The Cayman Islands government will have a “majority ownership stake” in all future large-scale renewable-energy projects, Premier Wayne Panton announced on 27 April. The major policy shift – which Panton said would help accelerate the islands' conversion to green energy – was unveiled at a conference in Miami. The move appears to dispense with a bid process recently unveiled by energy sector regulator OfReg, that would have involved an auction allowing private companies – from all over the world – to bid to build solar and wind farms and similar facilities in Cayman. The new approach means government will part-fund and part-own its own renewable- energy utilities. Details of how this will be fi nanced were not immediately available and Panton said "stakeholder engagement" would now begin to design an implementation plan. But he characterised the move as one which would significantly speed up Cayman’s efforts to hit a target of 70% of the islands' energy coming from renewable sources by 2037. Minister hints at forthcoming fi nancial services legislation Financial Services Minister André Ebanks has indicated several pieces of proposed legislation will be released later this year as part of Cayman’s effort to innovate and modernise its fi nancial services offering. Addressing 500 delegates at the GAIM Ops conference, held 24-27 April at The Ritz- Carlton, Grand Cayman, Ebanks acknowledged there are lingering and pressing challenges, such as the remnants of COVID constraints, concerns over the war in Ukraine and related sanctions, ever-evolving regulations, infl ation and climate change. However, he said at his address on 25 April, “The Cayman Islands fi nancial services industry did not slow down despite the pandemic.” Ebanks noted that Cayman remains the top domicile for hedge funds, with more than 27,000 registered mutual and private funds. The captive insurance and reinsurance sector, as well as family offi ces, were seeing solid growth, and company and partnership registrations were rising. Going forward, the minister said, Cayman would have to “innovate in a smart way”. DoE warns public against disturbing turtles The Department of Environment has issued a strong warning against disturbing local turtles after groups of people reportedly interacted with a juvenile green turtle in distress on Seven Mile Beach. “Wild sea turtles in the Cayman Islands are protected at all times (including those that have been released by the Cayman Turtle Centre) and it is an offense under the National Conservation Act to disturb them,” the DoE said in a post on 26 April on its official Facebook page. It said it was made aware of a juvenile green turtle that was swimming along the shore and coming onto the sand along Seven Mile Beach over the last week. “Staff and Turtle Team Volunteers went to check on the condition of the turtle several times. The turtle was one that was released from the Cayman Turtle Centre last week and had not been able to navigate its way out to sea,” it explained. Various videos have surfaced on social media showing groups of individuals following the turtle, taking photos and interacting with the distressed animal. Jacy and Rio, held on leashes by Claire Leadbeater, of the Cayman Islands Humane Society, left, have headed off to their new homes in Canada, thanks to Sea Paws Rescue, a foster organisation based in Ontario. Also pictured are Dean Sinclair from Seven Mile Securities, which donated $2,000 to the relocation programme, and Julie Leslie, of Love Your Dog. - Photo: Alvaro Serey news in brief Dog rescue cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 2022ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky Police have made four arrests in relation to two murders carried out within three days of each other in Grand Cayman. Two men, described by police as the “main suspects” in the murder of Cain Demetree Thomas, 21, were arrested just hours after the body of the father-of-one was found with gunshot wounds to the head on an isolated part of the beach off West Bay Road, near White Sands condos. The arrests were made on Thursday, 28 April, in North Side following a high-speed pursuit by the RCIPS's Firearms Response Unit. The men are also considered to be suspects in a recent spate of armed robberies, police said. Police also arrested a 25-year- old man and a 33-year-old woman in connection with the murder on Monday, 25 April, of 62-year-old former prison officer Harry Elliott, who was fatally shot in the head in what police say appeared to be a robbery gone wrong at a George Town premises where illegal gambling may have been taking place. The man was arrested on suspicion of murder and the woman was arrested on suspicion of harbouring him, police said. No charges had been brought as of press time Thursday. Speaking at his second press conference in three days to address the murders and increased gun crime, Police Commissioner Derek Byrne said of Thomas’s murder, “We believe all the persons involved, the deceased and the suspects, are known to each other; in fact, well-known to each other.” Byrne said initial information suggested that Thomas had left the house of a relative sometime after 11pm the night before his body was found, to attend a pre-arranged meeting with two men. The identity of those individuals were not released by police at the briefing. Byrne said officers found Thomas’s body “with obvious gunshot wounds to the head”. He added that preliminary inquiries indicated that at least two shots, and possibly up to six, had been fired. A mile up the road, police found Thomas’s green Honda CRV parked in the public beach access, next to Cemetery Beach, across from the West Bay fire station. It has since been seized by police and has undergone a forensic exam. Former witness in home invasion case Thomas was released from prison in December last year, after serving a prolonged period behind bars and on an electronic ankle monitor for a 2017 home invasion robbery, during which an elderly couple were tied up, beaten and robbed at gunpoint of jewellery and cash. He confessed to the crimes in 2018, and became the star witness in the trial against co-accused Elmer Wright, who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Thomas’s evidence was also instrumental in the conviction of Shane Conner, the third robber, who is now behind bars awaiting sentence. When questioned about any possible connection between Thomas’s death and the information he provided during that trial, Byrne declined to comment, but said, "All that I can say on that topic is that he was known to police." Despite Thomas’s death, police say witnesses who have knowledge about his killing have nothing to fear and should still come forward. “We do have robust systems and mechanisms in place to protect witnesses,” said Detective Superintendent Pete Lansdown at the briefing. “We can, it has been established, protect witnesses. If people comply with our directions and do what we say, in general, then we can keep people safe.” Retired prison officer gunned down Three days prior to Thomas’s death, retired prison officer Elliott died after being shot in the head, shortly after 8pm on Monday, 25 April. Speaking at a press conference some 24 hours after Elliott’s death, Byrne said preliminary inquiries indicated that he had been killed in “a robbery gone wrong”. He added that the premises in which the victim was shot had been the subject of a search and a criminal investigation by RCIPS officers in relation to illegal gambling in 2019. Byrne made a public appeal for witnesses to come forward and assist police with their investigations, saying the premises is in "a very densely populated area, there were a lot of people around, and we don’t have a lot of witness co-operation at the moment. We have not received much feedback from the community.” Police say CCTV footage showed two masked men entering the premises shortly before Elliott’s arrival at 8:02pm and then swiftly departing on foot at 8:08pm. Governor Martyn Roper, in a post on social media on 27 April, condemned the killing, calling it “heinous”, and joined the commissioner’s call for information. “I join RCIPS in making a direct appeal to everyone on our Islands to come forward with any information about this crime. This type of incident is not the Cayman I have come to admire and respect,” the governor said. ‘We know who are committing the crimes’ During the 26 April press briefing, Byrne said his officers had suspects in mind in relation to Elliott's murder, and would be taking swift action, stating: "Our best information through our investigations is that there is a small group of people, it seems to be numbering about six, operating in loosely associated groups, smaller groups of about twos and threes, and on one occasion four, including the driver of the getaway vehicle." Byrne said additional armed units were patrolling George Town Central – an area which he said he was particularly concerned about, and which has been the scene of several armed robberies recently - as well as in other areas, including West Bay and the eastern districts. Aiders and abettors are ‘equally guilty’ Deputy Commissioner Kurt Walton warned that those who assist criminals by supplying them with or hiding their weapons are as guilty as the shooters. “You are equally as culpable as these individuals; in fact, you might as well have been on the murder scene,” said Walton. He added, “You have provided that gun that killed Mr. Elliott on Monday night, you provided that gun that has been involved in a series of robberies, or you have stored that weapon that was involved in that murder and those series of robberies.” Referring to the arrests made in connection with Elliott's killing, Lansdown said police had taken the woman into custody on suspicion of harbouring and assisting the male suspect. “That female had been warned not to offer any assistance to that individual because he was wanted,” he said. Anyone with information about the shootings can call the RCIPS Major Incident Room at 649-2930. Anonymous tips can be provided via the RCIPS's Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777 or its website. Police arrest four in two murder cases Police found the body of Cain Thomas, who was shot several times, on the beach off West Bay Road near White Sands condos. - Photos: Andrel Harris The scene of the murder where Harry Elliott was shot dead in George Town on 25 April. Police Commissioner Derek Byrne, flanked by Detective Superintendent Pete Lansdown, left, and Deputy Commissioner Kurt Walton at a press briefing about Cain Thomas's murder on 28 April. cayman compass 3 news N news FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 20221234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13141516 17 181920 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Excessively fat (5) 4 To cheat (7) 8 Remain undisturbed (3) 9 Create a disturbance (5,4) 10 Restrain (7) 11 Evade by cunning (5) 13 Morosely irritable (6) 15 Rudimentary state of some- thing (6) 18 Malicious vilification (5) 19 Gradually decrease (7) 21 Be successful in (4,1,2,2) 23 Large tank for dyeing (3) 24 Forbearing (7) 25 Pass on (5) DOWN 1 Bitter (7) 2 Welcome for all comers (4,5) 3 Cancel (5) 4 Delicately pretty (6) 5 Unrestricted use (7) 6 The one in cards (3) 7 Make detailed research (5) 12 Recklessly audacious (9) 14 Spread throughout (7) 16 For all to see (7) 17 Dexterous (6) 18 Review evidence (3,2) 20 Deduce (5) 22 Outfit (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16991 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. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 16991 ACROSS: 1 Gross, 4 Defraud, 8 Lie, 9 Raise hell, 10 Inhibit, 11 Dodge, 13 Grumpy, 15 Embryo, 18 Smear, 19 Dwindle, 21 Make a go of, 23 Vat, 24 Patient, 25 Relay. DOWN: 1 Galling, 2 Open house, 3 Scrub, 4 Dainty, 5 Freedom, 6 Ace, 7 Delve, 12 Daredevil, 14 Pervade, 16 Overtly, 17 Adroit, 18 Sum up, 20 Infer, 22 Kit. Never did I think I would feel so impassioned about a mechanical gardening device. For me, the answer to the above question is simple: Hindrance! From trying to rest and recover from COVID, to trying to enjoy a lie-in (they were blowing away at 7:30am) to just trying to enjoy down time at the beach or on my sofa, it seems my peace is always unquestionably disturbed by our friendly neighbourhood leaf blower(s). Most of the time it feels like the leaves are being shifted from one area to another just for the wind to blow and us be back to square one. The fact that leaf blowers are in my complex all day suggests they aren’t even an efficient implement of choice for solving the problem. So, having subsequently completed a quick Google search on the matter, it seems that not only should we be concerned about the noise pollution but also about the chemical pollution caused by these objects! Several articles suggest that they are dirtier and less fuel-efficient than the average modern car, whilst the fumes omitted from them include toxic pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and hydrocarbons. Whilst the leaf blowers produce harmful toxins for us and the animal community alike, they also remove leaves which can be helpful to the sustainability of the insect community. I appreciate it is hot and manual labour is challenging with the Caribbean sun beating on our backs; but surely a good old- fashioned rake powered by elbow grease is a simple solution for areas where the leaves do need to be tidied and collected. In a time when we should and, hopefully, are thinking of ways to help sustain and repair the damage done to our environment by humans, this ‘simple’ measure to ban such objects feels like a no-brainer! Beth Lowen I am happy to see the beautification group cleaning up our beautiful islands. [See ‘Beautification group back in action after a decade’, 22 April Cayman Compass.] However, what do you do about people collecting and storing scrap cars and boats in their yards? Some of these houses have no electricity and some of the houses are ready to fall down due to neglect. Rats are living in these properties where owners actually live. Others are using these private lots to spray paint and sand fibreglass boats which is highly carcinogenic. Several complaints have been made to the proper authorities. However, the violations are continuing, devaluing the neighbours’ properties and poisoning our canals and air. Cindy Rendon Prisoners among those fraudulently getting stipends What the hell? They are prisoners, receiving a stipend, so who helped them if they are prisoners? That person should be jailed. That is not a mistake, that is a deliberate act of fraud against the government. – Della J. Watler-Marte This why people I know who actually lost their jobs, [their] applications weren’t even acknowledged! Huh! – Mellisa Rankine I am sure there are many more that haven’t been caught yet. They need to keep digging. Too many dishonest, greedy people. – Valda Hilton Taylor That is despicable. Yet someone who worked in tourism, paid for a tourist accommodation licence and paid government taxes to Department of Tourism got not even a red cent. – Hope Rose S Why is there not a department in charge of ensuring and qualifying those receiving the stipend? There are several folks that need to be verified. This is crazy! – Tracey Pilkey Chamber calls on government to scrap mask mandate I believe it is high time to lift all restrictions – mandatory mask wearing and LFT for airline passengers. – Nancy Whitefield Many persons are fine with the present mask mandates. As positive Covid numbers rise, it seems wise to practise some wisdom here. It will be interesting to see the results after the recent Easter break, also. It is good to see the number of seniors going for the extra booster. Well done, Public Health. Keep up the good work. – N. Flatley Planned 10-storey hotel touted as George Town revitalisation catalyst Not sure what all the opposition is about. This is the best way to bring money and opportunity to the local business owners and landlords in our capital, which is a ghost town after 5pm. This project is going to do so much good for so many people and create a new era for George Town. – Jacob McTaggart Will young Caymanians be able to afford to purchase a unit? I highly doubt that! Why do we continue to neglect our own people so that others can live the ‘dream’ life? This is truly sad and disappointing. – Patrice Boothe I don’t approve of a 10-storey building in George Town. It will not benefit the local population and will only encourage more developers in doing the same at different locations. Who are we building for? It will change the total island feel. We need affordable housing for our people. – Michel Lemay Seriously! How does this help the housing issue happening on this island? Just wow! – Treasha Bodden Oh, what a privilege it will be for locals to be allowed to go to this new fancy hotel and be allowed to have cocktails. Yippee. – Jan Taylor Any time a developer builds something, they should be required to also build a certain amount of affordable homes, apartments, or condos with only local companies being offered the contracts. Maybe Caymanians would actually have somewhere for them to live as well then, and have more opportunities for work. – Natascha Schroll-McLaughlin We really don’t need any more hotels, especially in George Town. What is our planning department doing? If the need is there why not revitalise the town by utilising what is there? Maybe instead of doing new construction, they could repurpose some of the existing vacant buildings and make them multi-purpose with apartments above the stores or offices. – Laurie Whittaker These decisions just keep getting dumber and dumber. – Theodora Bodden Everyone in charge only thinks about themselves and their paycheque. There are no sustainable thoughts for the future of Cayman that cross their minds. I hope the older generations are grateful that they got to experience Cayman before it was destroyed, because us young people are doomed. – Alyssa Gilbert And how does this help... you know... us? – Leon Smallz Watson Jr. I had the opportunity to talk to a young Caymanian woman who wished she could see the Cayman her mom talks about. Heartbreaking. – Vanessa Magee What they’re saying OnlineLetters to the editor Leaf blowers: Help or hindrance? Remove scrap cars from yards cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 2022A new section in the Cayman Compass. Send us details of events such as births, birthdays, weddings, celebrations of life, church events, school plays, charity fundraisers and upcoming events. Email information to: community@compassmedia.ky. E: SALESCOMPASSMEDIA.KY 2022 SATURDAY, 11 JUNE COMPASS ROSE BALLROOM MARGARITAVILLE BOOK YOUR BOOTH BY MONDAY, 2 MAY DEVELOPERS, INVESTORS, ARCHITECTS, BUILDERS, DESIGNERS AND HOME STORES. LIMITED SPACE! Court of Appeal rules closed hearing can be held in Cayman ANDREL HARRIS aharris@compassmedia.ky An unprecedented behind-closed- doors court hearing could be held to decide the fates of two Caymanian killers deported to the United Kingdom to serve their life sentences. Osbourne Douglas and Justin Ramoon are challenging the decision to transfer them off the island, after they were deemed a threat to national security. The court heard claims in previous hearings that there was evidence the men were orchestrating criminal activity from their cells and planning an armed escape. But none of the evidence for those claims has been heard in public, nor has it been made available to the men, their lawyers, or the judges deciding their future in a case that has rumbled on for almost five years. Now the Court of Appeal has ruled that a secret hearing known as a ‘Closed Material Procedure’ can be used to help bring the case to a conclusion. Overturning an earlier decision of the Grand Court, the justices ruled that the procedure – commonly used for terrorist trials in the UK – is available in Cayman, despite the absence of explicit enabling legislation. That means the brothers’ judicial review case, appealing the transfer, can now be reconsidered by a judge, with access to the full evidence, in closed session. Neither the inmates themselves nor their lawyers will be able to be present at that session. Appeal hearing The question surrounding the court’s powers to conduct a CMP was raised during the appeal hearing, which was initiated, in part, on behalf of convicted killers, Douglas and Ramoon, who are serving 30 and 33 years, respectively, for the 2015 execution- style murder of Jason Powery. The killing was described by the trial judge as “a public-execution of the most chilling kind”. They were transferred to HMP Belmarsh, a UK maximum security prison, amid claims they were planning an escape. Upon discovery of the planned jail break in 2017, then-Governor Helen Kilpatrick ordered the transfer of the brothers, after receiving instructions from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and advice from Cayman and UK prison officials. Douglas and Ramoon have challenged their relocation on the grounds that the 185 documents used as evidence to transfer them by Kilpatrick have been kept from them. They say, as a result, there is no way for them to defend themselves by testing the validity or credibility of the argument against them. Following their transfer, Justice Marlene Carter granted the governor a ‘Public Interest Immunity’ order, which prevented the brothers from receiving access to the information used to transfer them. Carter granted the PII on the grounds that, unlike in the UK, Cayman does not have a written law which gives the Grand Court the power to hold a CMP, and she therefore concluded no such procedure was available to the brothers. Douglas’ and Ramoon’s judicial review was eventually heard by Justice Michael Wood in April 2021 and he ruled in favour of Carter’s findings. Court has implied power to conduct CMP hearing In their 39-page judgment which was handed down on Wednesday, 27 April, the appeal judges ruled that, although there was no express CMP law, the Grand Court had an implied power to conduct such a hearing. When returning their ruling, Justice Sir Alan Moses, wrote, “[B]ecause so much of the information is the subject of PII, there can be no effective judicial review, I would rule that a CMP is available so as to enable the court to fulfil its obligation [set out in the Bill of Rights].” In addition to ruling that the Grand Court does have the power to conduct a CMP, the appeals court has also ordered that the judicial review hearing considering the brothers case be reconducted – however, this time, with the assistance of a CMP. The court also ruled that the Governor’s Office did take into account the interests of the appellants’ families and children when considering whether to make removal orders. As a result of the ruling, Douglas and Ramoon will continue to be imprisoned at Belmarsh until the conclusion of the CMP hearing. The Compass has been given unprecedented access to documentation relating to the case. See our Issues section, starting on page 22, for coverage. New hearing for murderers deported to UK Justin RamoonOsbourne Douglas cayman compass 5 news N news FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 2022FULL PAGE • 10.29x13.64 • CMYK • Cayman National Scholarship Ad • 16MAR 2022 caymannational.com A Subsidiary of Peter A. Tomkins Scholarship Cayman National is committed to investing in educating generations destined to be leaders in business. Are you ready to discover your destiny and make a positive impact in the Cayman Islands? Visit www.caymannational.com and click on the ‘About’ tab, then view the ‘Careers’ page for more information on this scholarship and how to apply. Apply for our undergraduate Business scholarship by April 30, 2022. DISCOVER YOUR DESTINY cayman compass 6 FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 2022but your home looks like this. If you have a loss, you will only be paid for a proportion of your claim. You paid to insure this... To find out if you’re at risk, call us at +345 949 7280 Underinsurance —are you at risk? Underinsurance —it’s just not worth it. Islandheritageinsurance.com/underinsurance 199123_1-Ad-Compass-2colx10-UndePage 1 8/5/21 11:50:27 AM NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky A couple of miles offshore of Grand Cayman, in the middle of the night, a group of divers don their wetsuits, drop into the water and fl oat on the surface while the crew of Don Foster’s Cayman Wall boat hand them their cameras. Now, it’s time to sink beneath the dark waves in the open sea and capture images of translucent, larval creatures that normally live in the depths far below. Between them, these photographers and divers have years of experience determining whether that small speck fl oating in their direction in the dark is just a piece of “marine snow” detritus, or whether it’s, in fact, a minuscule ribbonfi sh, a cusk eel, or even the extremely elusive bony-eared assfi sh. They often just have seconds to make that determination and snap a photo. These creatures usually don’t hang around for long before they shoot off – up, down, or just away from the photographer’s strobe lights. But that’s all part of the ‘hunt’ for Steven Kovacs, Linda Ianniello, Dennis Whitestone, Lureen Ferretti, Anna DeLoach and Ned DeLoach, who dive together regularly off West Palm Beach in Florida and who say they’re pretty much addicted to these night-time adventures of ‘blackwater diving’. The six visiting divers, who are renowned among the dive community for their photography skills and among the marine science community for helping to identify an array of animals that have long been mysteries, will be giving a talk to local and visiting divers and photographers Sunday night at Don Foster’s Dive in George Town. In the week before hosting their talk and presentations, they have been going out nightly with Sergio Coni and his team at Don Foster’s, who began taking divers out on blackwater dives last year. The dives are growing in popularity among underwater photographers on island, who have spent much of the past two years – when travel has been restricted – honing and expanding their macro photography skills, and are looking for new small creatures to shoot and new environs to explore. Ned DeLoach, who has created several fi sh, coral and sea creature identifi cation books along with his wife Anna and Paul Humann, explained that out in the dark water, it’s not only larval-stage reef fi sh that the divers are fi nding – within the 120-foot depth that recreational divers usually stick to. They also see baby deep-water fi sh that are usually found hundreds and even thousands of feet deep. “There are these great animals that nobody sees but we see them in their larval stage, and the reason is there’s no food down there for something this small, so they come up and join the reef fi sh,” he said. “Mixed in with the reef fi sh, we’re seeing fi sh we’d never imagined we’d get to see in life, and they are dramatically different from [reef] fi sh because they develop to survive in the pelagic. They’re clear or translucent for the most part, which makes them hard to see, and for some wonderful, wonderful reason, many of them have extended fi ns... and all kinds of great, visible, dramatic morphology on their body, to exist in the open ocean.” Blackwater diving initially took off in Hawaii in the 1990s and in Japan in the early 2000s. Now, around the world, there is a small but growing community of blackwater divers. Anna DeLoach said, “It really caught on in the last seven or eight years, and a big part because of these three, Dennis, Linda and Stephen, and two dive operators that started doing it in West Palm Blackwater diving Creatures of the deep rising to the spotlight Divers get ready for a blackwater dive at Don Foster's on 26 April. - Photo: Taneos Ramsay To see stunning photographs of blackwater creatures, go to page 8. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 19» cayman compass 7 FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 2022Cornetfish Photo: Lureen Ferretti Lionfish Photo: Ned DeLoach Tripodfish Photo: Steven Kovacs Enope squid Photo: Dennis Whitestone Squid paralarva Photo: Linda Ianniello Creatures from the deep cayman compass 8 FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 2022Swordfish Photo: Steven Kovacs Spotfin flounder Photo: Ned DeLoach Diamond squid Photo: Dennis Whitestone Pancake batfish Photo: Steven Kovacs Bony-eared assfish Photo: Dennis Whitestone Ribbonfish Photo: Steven Kovacs cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 2022Next >