Environment
MRCU suspends aerial spraying due to Sahara dust
The Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) advises the public that aerial spraying in response to heightened mosquitoes levels will be paused due to conditions brought on by the Sahara dust plume. This is to prevent material released by MRCU planes binding to the dust and rendering that material much less efficient in controlling biting […]
Cayman Eco offers free ‘climate science lunch and learn’
(CNS Local Life): Cayman Eco, a local environmental non-profit organisation, is aiming to educate the general public in the Cayman Islands on the threats presented by global climate change by offering free ‘climate science lunch and learn’ sessions for local businesses.
Albino baby turtle found on 7MB
(CNS Local Life): The Department of Environment turtle team made a rare find last week during a nest excavation, officials reported on social media this week. An albino sea turtle hatchling was found during a nest excavation, which was released into the sea along with his siblings at nightfall. DoE researchers said that so far […]
CUC bucket trucks to help protect bats
(CNS): With local bats battling against extinction, the National Trust for the Cayman Islands has enlisted the help of Grand Cayman’s power provider to reinstate its Bat Conservation Programme to help support all nine native species. CUC will be providing bucket trucks to help install special bat houses to keep the animals way from people’s […]
‘Refugee’ bird lands in Cayman
(CNS local life): A marbled godwit (Limosa fedoa) has been spotted in the Cayman Islands for the first time in 27 years. Experts at the National Trust said this bird may be a refugee from Hurricane Dorian, as the last time one was seen here was the end of August 1992, when Hurricane Andrew also […]
NCC seeks to protect unique Brac plant
(CNS Local Life): The National Conservation Council is about to embark on a public consultation to create a species conservation plan for an endemic Cayman Brac plant. Sybil’s crownbeard (Verbesina caymanensis), a small shrub unique to the Brac, was listed in 2013 as critically endangered as it is found nowhere else in the world other […]
Prince’s blue encounter leads to donation
(CNS): The National Trust for the Cayman Islands has received a donation from Prince Charles for the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme. While he and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were visiting the Cayman Islands earlier this year, Prince Charles had an encounter with an iconic blue at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. […]
DoE recycles over 300lbs of fishing line
(CNS Local Life): Since the Department of Environment (DoE) installed fishing line recycling bins around the Cayman Islands at dive shops, docks and boat ramps, the team has collected more than 300lbs, saving many miles of the nylon twine from hurting the local marine life. The line is then shipped overseas for recycling with help […]
Does DEH test for H2S at landfill?
Does the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) regularly test for carbons or hydrogen sulphide at the landfill? I read an article that children should not be within 5km of a landfill due to toxic pollutants in the air which is of great concern. Auntie’s answer: First of all, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) smells like rotten eggs, […]
Marathon entrants can help save the reefs
(CNS Local Life): Runners and walkers are invited join in the effort to save Cayman’s coral reefs by signing up to be part of the Central Caribbean Marine Institute’s (CCMI) ‘Reef Relief Squad’ at the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon. This is the first year CCMI will participate as an official charity affiliate for the race, […]
Police officer organises waterfront clean-up
(CNS Local Life): Community police officers, together with staff from the National Roads Authority and the owner of a landscaping company, came together to clean an area by the waterfront that was of concern to members of the public. On Thursday, 8 August, the group cleaned the spot on North Church Street across from Bodden […]
Students ready to take green action in Cayman
(CNS Local Life): Two students from the Cayman Islands recently took part in an Ocean Heroes Boot Camp in Vancouver, Canada, where they met with international green leaders and received advice on how to develop and deliver their campaign to preserve and protect Cayman’s environment. Representatives from groups including the Captain Planet Foundation, Lonely Whale […]
Brewery donates to Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
(CNS Local Life): The simple act of drinking a beer has led to a donation of more than $22,000 to the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) to support its shark-tagging research as part of efforts to save and conserve the world’s oceans. For every one of a designated beer purchased at the Cayman Islands Brewery, […]
Can I feed cheese to fish in Cayman’s waters?
Is it OK to spray canned cheese into the water to attract fish when snorkelling? I’ll be coming to visit the Cayman Islands soon and I’ve heard that the fish really love that stuff but not sure that is a good idea. Auntie’s answer: Well, from a purely common-sense standpoint, it is hard for me […]
Nominations open to honour local dive pioneers
(CNS Local Life): Nominations are now open for local honourees to be named to the 2019 International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF) to recognise those who have contributed significantly to scuba and watersports in the Cayman Islands through development, promotion, positive environmental impact or education. The Ministry and Department of Tourism are calling for […]
Cayman’s women divers break their world record
(CNS Local Life): Women divers in Cayman blew out of the water their own world record of 86 participants set last year, when 107 formed an underwater chain in the sea by Lighthouse Point in West Bay. The event, held to mark PADI Women’s Dive Day Saturday, 20 July, also provided an opportunity to fundraise […]
Is flesh-eating disease a concern here?
We are hearing numerous reports of people getting infected by the bacteria causing necrotising fasciitis (known as the flesh-eating disease) in the warm coastal waters of the US. Grateful if you could tell us what the DoE, DEH and government health officials are doing to regularly check the bacteria counts in our much-used coastal waters. […]
Donation supports CCMI’s coral restoration efforts
(CNS Local Life): The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) has recently received a US$68,000 donation from the Aall Foundation towards its Coral Restoration Programme. With increasing water temperatures threatening coral reef health, CCMI said in a press release that its team knows “they must progress their restoration efforts at pace, to be able to contribute […]
