DoE take marine park findings on the road

(CNS): The people of Cayman will have the opportunity over the next few weeks to offer their input into the future management of the country’s marine resources. The Department of Environment (DOE) goes on the road this week with a series of public meetings to share the results from the first comprehensive scientific review of the Islands’ marine park system. Director of the DoE said that public consultation was an important part of the process of creating future strategies on how best to protect the islands natural marine resources.

“Moving forward, public involvement and community and stakeholder feedback will form a critical part of the process. It is vital that people feel a sense of ownership in the future of local marine parks and the resources they protect,” she said.

The legislation that protects Cayman’s marine environment is more than 25years old and the challenges faced today are very different from those when the law was first implemented. Gina Ebanks Petrie said that this review has allowed the DoE along with its collaborative partners to gather scientifically robust data that will help identify how effective the marine park system has been over the last 25 years, what risks it faces now and what we need to do to ensure viability of marine resources in the long-term.

“When the marine parks were established, we had a different set of risks to consider. At this time, the threats to our reefs have changed. This initiative will ensure that our marine protected areas keep pace with local and global threats,” she said.

With the national conservation law nowhere near the statute books despite the numerous changes, reviews and discussions the marine conservation law remains the only real legislation that Cayman has to protect its vulnerable natural resources and the public meetings present an opportunity for the people to learn why legislation is important and to share their thoughts about how to make the legislation effective.

The first meeting will be held on Cayman Brac tonight Monday, 5 September in the medical wing of the Aston Rutty Centre, starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be a short presentation as well as time for questions and comments. Refreshments will be served.

The second meeting will be at the Bodden Town Civic Centre, Wednesday, 7 September, 19:30-21:00 followed by North Side on Thursday. Meetings will be held in all other districts next week but a date for Little Cayman has not yet been scheduled.

For more information contact Laura Richardson at laura.richardson@gov.ky or 743-5915.

See full schedule below