Ten years ago today (13 Dec), the Cayman Islands Parliament unanimously passed the landmark National Conservation Act (NCA). 

Minister for Sustainability & Climate Resiliency Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said: 

“Not only does the National Conservation Act enable us to protect and conserve the unique plants, animals and habitats that make the Cayman Islands so special, the passage of this landmark legislation meant that the Government was able to fulfill its duty under Section 18 of the Bill of Rights in the Cayman Islands Constitution Order which states that the Government shall, in all its decisions, have due regard to the need to foster and protect an environment that is not harmful to the health or well-being of present and future generations, while promoting justifiable economic and social development.”

One important function the NCA provides for is new Designated Protected Areas and expansion to existing Protected Areas, through voluntary purchase of land or through Conservation Agreements with landowners.

Since April 2021, the Cayman Islands Government has facilitated the purchase and protection of land in the Salina Reserve, Western Mangroves Area and Central Mangrove Wetlands in Grand Cayman, the East Interior of Little Cayman, and Hemmington Forest in Cayman Brac. Protections for Sand Cay and Tarpon Lake are pending Cabinet approval. 

Last year, the National Conservation Council (NCC) received 89 nominations for new Protected Areas from members of the Cayman Islands community representing individuals, non-profit organisations, landowners and realtors.

NCC Chairman Stuart Mailer said: “The natural environment of the Cayman Islands is fundamental to our economy and to protecting our communities. Our unique plants and animals underpin our tourism product and are linked to Caymanian culture, traditions, and heritage. The National Conservation Act enables us to protect these important natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations. In the ten years since the Act was passed, we have been able to expand our terrestrial protected areas to include just over 11% of our land area, and our marine protected areas now encompass 55% of our nearshore waters. However, with a global target calling for 30% of land and marine areas to be protected by 2030, there is still much to be done.”

Mr. Mailer explained that, despite concerns that the Act would slow down physical development in the Cayman Islands, construction and development have continued to boom.

“The Department of Environment, under delegated authority from the NCC has directed refusal for just 0.23% of over 4000 planning applications since 2016. This not only counters the misconception that the NCA is restrictive to the growth of our islands, it reinforces the fact that the NCA is not a substitute for a national development plan rooted in the principles of sustainability. The NCC and the DoE will continue to do our part to ensure our islands develop responsibly and sustainably, while preserving our native species and habitats for future generations. We will continue to lead by example to show how balancing our communities, our economy and our environment can help us build resiliency to the challenges of the future,” Mr. Mailer said.

In recognition of this national milestone of 10 years of the NCA, the National Conservation Council is releasing a special video celebrating the work of the NCC for the people of the Cayman Islands.

The video features the voice of the late Mr. McFarlane Conolly, the former chairman of the Council who passed away earlier this year. Mr. Mailer and the entire Council extend their sincere thanks to Mrs. Conolly for allowing her husband’s voice to be used in the video.

“This video celebrates the National Conservation Act and the Council, while honouring Mr. Conolly’s legacy. He was a passionate defender of the National Conservation Act because he knew how important this legislation is to protecting the islands he loved so much. We are honoured to carry his legacy forward,” Mr. Mailer said.

To watch the video, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwUfcXZLi0s