In the face of rising concerns about Cayman's environment, many in the community are stepping up to do their part.
Here, you'll find our guide to Cayman's Green Scene, which outlines current environmental issues, the initiatives in place to combat them and how you can get involved.
Environmental issues facing Cayman
Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD)
According to experts at the Department of Environment (DoE), Cayman’s coral reefs are steadily dying and fewer will reappear each season year on year. The Cayman Islands, like many other nations in this region, is under a NOAA bleach watch as the reefs become increasingly vulnerable to a warming planet. Sadly, many dive sites in Grand Cayman have been affected by the spread of the deadly Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD).
Researchers have found evidence that SCTLD is caused by a breakdown in the symbiotic relationship between corals and Zooxanthellae algae. This discovery is a big step towards finding future treatments for this disease. Given the rapid spread of SCTLD in the Cayman Islands, the DoE urges the public to disinfect all snorkel and dive gear before and after each shore dive and boat trip by soaking them in a disinfectant solution (with 1% bleach) for 10 minutes.
SCTLD Progression as of 24th November 2021.
Source: Cayman Islands Department of Environment
How can you help?
- Report it Report suspected signs of SCTLD. Send photos and your location to the SCTLD Caribbean Report, the AGRRA tracker or the Facebook page.
- Disinfect your dive gear Modes of transmission are much higher when divers are in the water, as bacteria and other microorganisms live inside divers’ gear, especially wetsuits and gloves. These pathogens spread from the gear into the water. Disinfect all equipment and boat bilge water for at least 10 minutes. Bilge water and non-sensitive dive gear such as weights belts etc., should be disinfected in a solution containing 1% bleach. Wetsuits, BCDs, masks and fins should be soaked in an ammonium based disinfectant and very sensitive equipment such as regulators, gauges, computers and cameras should be soaked in antibacterial dish soap. Remember, never dispose of your soaking solution in the sea or a body of water.
- Don't touch As above, pathogens can spread and the effect is even worse if divers touch the corals directly.
- Volunteer time The DOE are looking for people who are nitrox trained, have dive insurance (preferably DAN), have their own dive gear (with a minimum of 100 dives) and are available at least 2 days per week for training and SCTLD search. Email: Tammi.Warrender@gov.ky to volunteer to help with the project or to seek further information about SCTLD.
Preserving the Mangroves
Section 17 of the National Conservation Act, 2013 requires the National Conservation Council to formulate and adopt a conservation plan for each protected species whose range includes the Islands. Priority is accorded to the development of Plans for threatened or endangered species that are at risk from development projects or other forms of economic activity, or that would otherwise be most likely to benefit from such plans.
Mangrove trees are often known to be the 'first line of defence' against natural disasters for coastal countries. Not only do they protect our coastline from flooding due to rising sea levels, but they also conserve carbon, maintain good water quality by filtering sediments, as well as provide biodiversity hotspots for crabs, sea turtles, birds, fish and many other species - some of which are endangered. As outlined in the National Conservation Act, section 17, the following mangrove species are considered as protected wherever they are naturally growing, or in cases where they have been restored: Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans), Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus).
Mangroves are arguably one of the most important ecosystems in the Cayman Islands, forming the framework of seasonally and largely flooded wetlands. Mangroves are what protect Cayman's coastline from significant environmental damage, erosion, as well as lowering the chance of us being affected by tidal floods.
How can you help?
The Mangrove Action Project is an international
non profit organisation that works with community groups and educators all
around the world to educate people on the importance of mangroves. They specialize in mangrove restoration and teacher training workshops.
For more information on how to get involved, whether you’re looking to implement their education program, access their educational resources, or contribute through donations, visit www.mangroveactionproject.org. They have an extensive online educational resource library with both international and Cayman Islands specific materials.
Click here to view the National Conservation Council's Species Conservation Plan for Mangroves.
Lionfish Culling
The National Conservation Act, 2013 – Section 6, (29): ‘A permit may be issued to a natural person or to a company whose services include the culling of lionfish’, where the four categories of permit are: an individual lionfish culling permit, an individual lionfish spear permit, a corporate employees’ lionfish spear permit and a corporate customers’ lionfish spear permit. If you are a granted a permit, the Council will require: ‘that all lionfish culled from Cayman waters be immediately killed and not returned to the waters.’
Lionfish began appearing off Cayman’s coast in 2008 as a foreign, invasive species. Once lionfish are introduced into an environment, it is near-impossible to eradicate them without strict efforts. For this reason the Cayman Islands has introduced culling – a control programme to reduce the lionfish population. Lionfish reproduce at unprecedented rates – females can release up to 30,000 eggs every four days. They are voracious predators that devour small, juvenile fish and crustaceans in large quantities and they compete with native species for space and food.
How can you help?
The Cayman Islands United Lionfish League (CULL) is an organisation that was formed to raise awareness for the need to cull lionfish to protect our precious reef fish. To learn more, see their Facebook page.
Learn more about the Lionfish University programme and which of Cayman's dive operators are involved.
A majority of on-Island dive operators offer lionfish culling courses. DiveTech offer a DoE Lionfish Culling course for CI$100. Learn more by visiting this page.
Ocean Frontiers also offers a Lionfish Hunter Certification, which you can sign up for here. Ambassador Divers also offer a PADI lionfish spearing/culling certification, as do numerous other dive operators on-Island.
Beach Littering
The Litter Act: (Section 2) – ‘litter’ is defined as: ‘anything whatsoever, including dust, dirt, oddments, leavings, waste paper, cigarette ends, bottles (whether empty or not) derelict vehicles and any dead animal or carrion;’ Section 3, (1): ‘Whoever throws down, drops or otherwise deposits and leaves any litter in, into or from a public place in such circumstances as to cause, contribute to or tend to lead to its defacement by such litter is guilty of an offense and liable on conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for six months.’
There is growing concern about the sheer volume of litter lining roads, sidewalks and green spaces, and, more worryingly, impacting Cayman’s natural and unspoilt areas such as Barker’s. Litter not only detracts from the beauty of the Islands but also poses serious risks to wildlife and fragile ecosystems.
Litter associated with construction sites remains a particular concern. In some cases, debris and waste have entered surrounding waters, prompting public concern about marine pollution and sedimentation. Sediment runoff following coastal and ironshore works can spread across large areas, potentially damaging nearby reefs and marine habitats if not properly managed. These incidents highlight the importance of responsible site management and environmental oversight.
More generally, it is common to find plastic bottles, styrofoam food containers, glass bottles and plastic bags scattered along roads and sidewalks on any given day. Addressing this issue requires both enforcement and community action.
How can you help?
If you notice a development or business where litter is accumulating, report it to the site managers or relevant authorities. Take part in beach and community clean-ups, which are regularly organised by Plastic Free Cayman and Protect Our Future, and promoted through their websites and social media channels. The Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce also hosts annual clean-up initiatives, including Earth Day events, which attract hundreds of volunteers.
Finally, everyone can play a role. Avoid littering, teach children the importance of disposing of waste responsibly, and consider carrying a small bag when walking or visiting the beach to collect any litter you see. Even if you didn’t drop it, picking it up helps protect Cayman’s environment for everyone.
Sargassum on Cayman's Beaches
Sargassum is a genus of large brown seaweed that floats in island-like mats on the water’s surface and is a crucial habitat for many different species. Because of this, you are not allowed to remove seaweed that has not washed ashore. At certain times of the year, particularly during the summer months when it does wash ashore, it gives off a foul smell as it dries and can irritate the eyes and induce headaches. Sometimes, a nor’wester will blow through and take it out to sea again, but at other times it can build up to such an extent that removal becomes necessary. If doing this yourself, be sure to remove it in the least intrusive way, such as hand raking, and be conscious of wildlife, especially during turtle nesting season from May to November.
Sargassum occurs naturally on beaches, albeit in smaller quantities compared to the ocean. It plays a role in beach nourishment and is an important element of shoreline stability. During decomposition there will inevitably be a smell and insects around. The experience in locations that have left the sargassum on the beach is that it will eventually get washed away or buried in the next storm, with rain easing the smell. Leaving sargassum on the beach has proven to be the simplest and lowest cost approach, also helping to nourish the beach and stabilise the shoreline.
How can you help?
It is always preferable to leave sargassum where it is, if possible. Where this is not possible or feasible, the guidelines below should be followed. Removal of sargassum by mechanical means cannot be undertaken without consultation with the DoE and issuance of a letter of approval, which will outline any conditions to be followed. In some instances it may be necessary for a member of DoE staff to be present to check for wildlife e.g. turtle nests, prior to any clearing;
Least intrusive practices are preferred – hand raking is preferable to machinery. Permission is not required from DoE for raking the beach. Extreme care should be taken during turtle nesting and hatching season, with peak activity spanning from May to November.
Removal of sargassum should be from and to agreed areas only, and equipment should use the same route on to and off the beach to prevent destroying beach vegetation or turtle nests.
Any attempts to clean Sargassum must be undertaken extremely carefully as its removal can have a very destabilizing effect on beaches and can result in worsening erosion through the removal of sand, particularly if machinery is used.
The Dump & Improper Disposal of Batteries
Another concern raised by the landfill, despite worries of the size of it, are increased fires started by the improper disposal of electronic waste, also known as ‘e-waste’. E-waste are technological materials such as mobile phones, wires and batteries, which are built in obsolescent ways, meaning they cannot often be properly recycled.
In January 2021, a fire broke out at the George Town landfill ignited by an old cell phone battery. Fires at the site are sadly a regular occurrence and in 2022 alone firefighters spent 170 hours fighting nine separate blazes.
Workers at the landfill have to remain constantly vigilant to prevent reignition of the waste. Read here for more on The George Town Landfill.
How can you help?
Batteries should not be disposed of as you do with other items. Instead of throwing them in the bin and mixing them with your other materials, such as paper and plastics, take lead acid batteries to a garage or any retailer that sells lead acid batteries. You can also use a battery recycling bin, which are located on Island in West Bay, George Town, Central George Town, Industrial Park, East End and more. For a list of detailed battery recycling bins, see this page.
See also Recycling Locations for details on where you can recycle other items.
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Learn more about the green communities in Cayman that you can get involved in.
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