All coral in Cayman is fully protected and should never be touched. Touching coral can damage its delicate tissue and protective mucus layer, leaving it vulnerable to disease and bleaching. Like reefs worldwide, Cayman’s coral is in decline, largely due to rising sea temperatures caused by climate change and ocean acidification. However, four dive operators in Grand Cayman have obtained permits from the Department of Environment (Cayman Eco Divers, Divetech, Ocean Frontiers and Sunset House), plus the Brac SCUBA Shack on Cayman Brac and CCMI on Little Cayman, obtained permits from the Department of Environment and have been growing staghorn coral in small nurseries.
This work has led to clippings from these nursery corals being planted back out on the reef. Over time, they have grown and begun to reproduce more coral. This has also been dependent on the health conditions of Cayman’s reefs. However, this labourintensive programme is only effective for a few types of coral. The best thing we can all do for Cayman’s reefs is not to hurt them in the first place.
- When boating, do not anchor in coral
- When diving or snorkelling, be careful never to touch the reef
- When fishing, obey the Marine Park rules, since a healthy fish population is important for a healthy coral reef.
Perhaps the biggest threats to coral reefs are overfishing, pollution and climate change, therefore efforts to become sustainable are also significant. Anything that individuals or businesses can do to reduce their environmental impact will help Cayman’s coral reefs along with the rest of the planet.
Dive operators that have been growing coral include:
Grand Cayman
- Cayman EcoDivers
- Divetech
- Ocean Frontiers
- Sunset House
Cayman Brac
- The Brac SCUBA Shack
Little Cayman
- Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI)
