Cayman Islands Conservation Legislation

1. Marine Parks & Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

In order to protect the reefs in the Cayman Islands, many of the areas around Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are protected as marine parks (e.g. Bloody Bay Marine Park in Little Cayman). In spite of this, however, the reefs are not completely safe. Some threats, such as pollution, may occur a significant distance from the marine park and still pose a threat.

2. Marine Conservation Laws

The Cayman Islands government have implemented several marine conservation laws with the goal of preserving marine resources for the future and maintaining the delicate ecological balance of the marine environment. Several key species are targeted by specific legislation in order to ensure that these species are able to proliferate naturally.

Lobsters

Declines in the abundance of Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) in the Cayman Islands in recent years have been attributed to high demand in the tourist industry and the past popularity of lobsters as bait for fishermen. In order to maintain high abundances of this important commercial species, several lobstering restrictions were put in place by the Cayman Islands government in 1987. Removal of any marine life, including lobsters, is prohibited in Marine Park Zones, Environmental Zones and Wildlife Interaction Zones. Special Replenishment Zones were also put in place to specifically protect lobster and conch. The goal of these Replenishment Zones is to encourage natural growth and proliferation of native lobster populations to repopulate areas where lobstering is allowed.

In areas where lobstering is allowed, there is still a closed season that runs from 1 March through 30 November. During open season, there is a catch limit of three lobsters per person or six lobsters per boat per day, whichever is less. In addition, no lobster with a tail length smaller than six inches may be taken. Taking any species other than the Caribbean spiny lobster (P. argus) is prohibited at all times of the year.

These restrictions help to preserve the abundance of this iconic and commercially important species and allow for its harvest in a way that is sustainable and ecologically sensible.

Conch

Surveys conducted by the Cayman Islands Department of Environment from 1988 to 2006 have shown a relative decrease of 50% in queen conch (Strombus gigas) densities. To mitigate this decline and preserve conch populations, several restrictions have been implemented on their harvest. In addition to Marine Park Zones, Environmental Zones and Wildlife Interaction Zones, where no marine life, including conch, may be removed from Cayman waters, special Replenishment Zones specifically prohibit the take of conch and lobster. The goal of the Replenishment Zones is to allow these species to regenerate and make up for losses in number as a result of conching in unrestricted areas

Conch harvest is allowed in some portions of Cayman waters. However, even in these areas, conching is prohibited from 1 May through 31 October, and it is illegal to receive or purchase conch taken from Cayman waters during these months. During months when conch harvest is allowed, only five conch per person or ten conch per boat, whichever is less, may be taken per day, and no more than five conch may be received or purchased per day.

Ultimately, the goal of these restrictions is to promote the harvest of conch in a way that is sustainable, so conch will be preserved for future generations of Caymanians.

Whelks

After lobster and conch, whelks are the third most commercially important invertebrates in the Caribbean. Though once common in the Cayman Islands, overexploitation has resulted in population declines. Thus, like lobster and conch, a closed season and catch limits were imposed for whelks. They may not be harvested between 1 May and 31 October, and it is illegal to receive or purchase whelks taken from Cayman waters during these months. During months when whelks may be taken, there is a daily catch limit of two and a half gallons in the shell or two and a half pounds of processed whelks.

Although molluscs like whelks and conch can be harvested during their open seasons, it is prohibited to remove chitons, periwinkles and bleeding teeth from Cayman waters at any time.

Nassau Groupers

Nassau grouper populations have been in decline over the past several decades, largely due to overfishing. Nassau groupers aggregate for spawning at predictable locations and times of year. With so many of them amassed in one place, it is easy for fishermen to exploit these spawning aggregations. This type of fishing has led to many Nassau grouper spawning aggregations becoming inactive.

One of the only thriving Nassau grouper spawning aggregations in the Caribbean is located on the west end of Little Cayman. To prevent overfishing, the Cayman Islands Marine Conservation Board implemented a ban on fishing any Nassau grouper spawning aggregation in Cayman waters. In addition, it is illegal to spearfish or place a fish pot within one mile of any Designated Grouper Spawning Area between 1 November and 31 March. During all months, a 12-inch minimum size limit applies for any Nassau grouper caught in Cayman waters.

Sea Turtles

Sea turtles are an iconic and charismatic species, and coming face to face with these creatures is a great experience for divers, boaters and snorkelers in the Cayman Islands. Because of this, human interference with sea turtles is highly regulated by the Cayman Islands Marine Conservation Board. Disturbing, molesting, or taking sea turtles in Cayman waters is forbidden without the explicit consent of the Marine Conservation Board, and possession of turtle eggs is prohibited. For licensed fishermen, there is a closed season running from 1 May to 31 October.

Echinoderms

Many echinoderms are highly important in maintaining the ecological balance of the coral reef environment, as they graze on algae and thus prevent algae from overgrowing and competing with corals. Thus, due to their ecological importance, sea stars, sea eggs/urchins, sea cucumbers, sand dollars and any other echinoderms may not be taken from Cayman waters at any time.

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