DoE app to help with research and enforcement

Cayman News Service
November 7, 2016

The Department of Environment has launched a new ‘app’ that combines information from its marine enforcement officers with that from the public. SIREN Cayman enables both the public and officials to input information relating to sightings of important species and to report what may be infractions of the conservation law. The smart phone application was unveiled by DoE Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie at the opening of the 69th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries conference, held Monday at the Westin Hotel.

SIREN Cayman is free and can be downloaded from your smart phone application store.

Read the whole story here.

Agreement Reached on SMB Coral Damage Incident

Cayman Reporter
November 1, 2016

The Cayman Islands Government; and TDE Maritime, the owner of the M/Y Tatoosh, have reached an agreement in relation to coral that was damaged in Cayman Islands waters – specifically, the Seven Mile Beach Park – between 12-14 January this year.

No admissions of fault were made, neither was there any disclosure on costs associated with restoration of the coral or associated fees for damages to the marine park.

“Losing any of our coral affects not only the stability of our environment, but also our economy”, said the Minister of Environment, Wayne Panton. “The agreement with TDE Maritime therefore reflects a value commensurate with the loss of our public resource and facilitates a permanent mooring solution in Seven Mile Beach Park, “he said.

The agreement was made without admissions from either party regarding the January incident. Speaking for TDE Maritime, Mr Paul G Allen noted, “We are committed to environmental stewardship, with a proven history of working to improve ocean health through research, innovation and policy change. Our experience around the world in ocean conservation has proven that real change requires dedicated, long-term investment to have a meaningful effect”, he said.  Mr Allen further stated, “We share the Cayman Islands Government’s goal of responsible management of the natural environment; and this agreement will help preserve the reefs and ecosystem for future generations”. Minister Panton said the agreement settles the matter between the parties. “Our goal was to work with TDE Maritime in order to reach the best agreement for Cayman; and we achieved this goal because of our shared commitment to the environment,” he said.

Cabinet approves business case on dump

Cayman News
October 12, 2016

(CNS): The outline business case setting out proposals for how government should move from dumping all of its garbage into a landfill to an integrated waste-management system has been approved by Cabinet, paving the way for the request for the procurement process to begin. Premier Alden McLaughlin, who has responsibility for the dump (a.k.a. Mount Trashmore), said government had approved the purchase of around 12 acres of land in the area by the dump for what will be much more processing of garbage in future instead of just dumping.

During a media ‘tour’ of the entire facility Tuesday, McLaughlin also revealed just how far government has come in getting to grips with what had been a mounting, unsustainable, combustible and poorly managed mix of rubbish heaps at the George Town landfill.

The premier admitted that it had taken time to find a sustainable solution to the whole garbage system, such as reducing the amount of solid waste Cayman produces, reusing, recycling and burning the garbage to make energy. He said government had to shape the right policy first and then find a way to implement it.

Read the full article here

Smith’s Cove Stays

Cayman 27
October 7, 2016

Smith Bacadere returns to the people.

Less than 24 hours after announcing talks were underway to buy over the prized land at the centre of public petition, Premier Hon Alden McLaughlin says Government and developers Bronte have reached a deal in principle for the purchase.

Mr McLaughlin told Cayman 27 hammering out the deal was not something achieved overnight since Government was on the heels of Bronte before the three storey, 24 unit condo complex became public.

He told the LA on Friday (7 October) a price is still being ironed out, but Government agreed to meet the purchase cost, stamp duty and associated costs incurred by Bronte.

However he said it’s about getting the land in the hands of the people of Cayman as soon as possible.

“We have already got a draft of the contract available for us for consideration and I am hopeful within a week or two we will actually complete the purchase,” Mr McLaughlin said.

The purchase will be paid out of the $60 million Environment Protection Fund and the land will be listed on the National Trust’s heritage registry and preserved as a public space.

Premier McLaughlin said he’s confident all MLAs will support the motion to withdraw from the fund.

George Town Harbour named global environmental Hope Spot

Cayman Reporter
September 14, 2016

Local environmental advocacy group Save Cayman announced on Friday 9 September the awarding of the greater George Town Harbour area as one of 14 new global Hope Spots.

Hope Spots are designated by Mission Blue, which is an initiative of the Sylvia Earle Alliance (SEA) to ignite public support for the protection of Hope Spots—special places that are vital to the health of the ocean and which Mission Blue calls “the blue heart of our planet.”

The news was announced at the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) World Conservation Congress, which took place from 1-10 September in Hawaii and was quickly snapped up by social media. Read the whole story here.

Reduction key to future waste plans

Cayman News Service
June 27, 2016

The George Town dump smouldering during one of its underground fires

The government will be focusing very heavily on reducing the amount of waste people generate in Cayman then re-using and recycling what continues to be produced, but it has not ruled out waste-to-energy as part of the solution. The Department of Environmental Health has published the final reports from consultants hired by government to develop its future rubbish policies. With the solution to the George Town dump seen as a priority for the wider community, the current administration has been criticised for dragging its feet over the issue. Read the whole story here.

CUC breaks ground on Cayman’s first solar farm

The Cayman Reporter
May 10, 2016

The groundbreaking ceremony for Cayman’s first solar farm was held in Bodden Town on Monday, 9 May.

The 5 megawatt(MW) solar project will allow the Caribbean Utilities Company (CUC) to reduce exhaust gas emissions and the use of imported fossil fuels thereby promoting a greener environment. Read the whole story here.

Weather Service: Climate change making Cayman hotter, drier

Cayman Compass
January 15, 2016

The average temperature in the Cayman Islands has risen steadily for the past four years due to the effects of global climate change, according to National Weather Service Director John Tibbetts. He said annual average temperatures have risen 1.2 degrees over the past four years, and he expects the trend of warmer weather and less rain to continue in the years to come.

Over the past 30 years, the average annual temperature rose from about 80 degrees Fahrenheit in 1985 to 82.9 degrees last year. Mr. Tibbetts said the temperature trend is following the model forecasters use to predict the impacts of global climate change on the weather in Cayman.

“We will get warmer and drier,” the Weather Service director said in an interview this week, and the changes to Cayman’s climate could have far-reaching effects on the islands. Read the whole story here.