iNews Briefs
Recent tsunami exercise exposes Cayman Islands to ‘significant’ flooding
According to Simon Boxall of Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) had the recent tsunami exercise been the real thing the Cayman Islands would have suffered significant flooding. Although it was just a three foot surge, tsunamis behave very differently from regular waves, Boxall said and warned it would have caused “a continuous, ongoing three foot wave of water coming across our shores without receding”.
Given that recent extremely high tides around a foot or more above average crossed the road in a number of places on Grand Cayman, a tsunami akin to the one in the recent exercise would definitely have required residents around the coast to have been evacuated.
He also said the media would be enlisted to help get the messages out to as many people as possible and government would provide appropriate advice in the circumstances.
The only dry spot would be going up a floor is a strong building.
SOURCE: https://caymannewsservice.com/2015/03/tsunami-exercise-represented-small-but-damaging-waves/
Judge sidelines lawsuit against NFL, photo agencies
By Scott Flaherty, From The Litigation Daily
About 18 months after a group of photographers accused the National Football League, the Associated Press and Getty Images of ripping off their work, a judge in Manhattan has tossed the plaintiffs’ copyright and antitrust claims.
In an opinion made public on Monday, U.S. District Judge Robert Sweet in Manhattan threw out claims against the NFL and the photo agencies brought by seven freelancers who make at least part of their living photographing NFL events, and whose images were licensed to Getty and AP. The decision, first issued under seal, dismisses copyright claims and allegations that the NFL used its clout to thwart competition for commercial licenses on NFL-related stock photographs.
The National Football League and its 32 member teams are represented by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom antitrust partners Jeffrey Mishkin and Karen Hoffman Lent, along with IP partner Anthony Dreyer. The AP is represented by a team at DLA Piper led by Andrew Deutsch. Getty turned to a defense team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges led by Bruce Meyer.
The lawsuit, first filed in October 2013 by Nelson & McCulloch’s Dan Nelson and Kevin McCulloch, alleged that while the photographers licensed their NFL-related photographs—first to the now-dissolved NFL photographic services division, then to Getty and most recently to the AP—they never actually forfeited ownership of their copyrights in the work.
The NFL had exclusive agreements with Getty and the AP to use the NFL-related photos in the agencies’ libraries without paying royalties. That arrangement, the photographers claimed, violated federal antirust law because it harmed competition in the market for commercial licenses on NFL stock photos. The plaintiffs also alleged that the antitrust issues rendered the NFL’s agreements with Getty and the AP invalid, meaning that any reprints of the photographers’ work amounted to copyright infringement.
Turning to the antitrust allegations, Sweet ruled that the photographers didn’t have standing to bring their claims since they weren’t customers or competitors in the commercial photo-licensing market.
With respect to the copyright claims, Sweet found that the NFL’s license agreement with the AP was valid, making its use of stock photos in the AP library kosher under copyright law. The judge also granted Getty’s motion to move the copyright and other claims against it into arbitration, citing a provision in the photographers’ agreements as Getty contributors. The plaintiffs can amend their complaint, he ruled.
We reached out to Nelson on Tuesday but didn’t immediately hear back. Skadden referred us to the NFL. A spokesman there declined to comment.
Photo: Flickr user hyku via Wikimedia Commons
Poinciana film festival coming to the Cayman Islands
Poinciana is a Caymanian film, music and arts festival, and is aimed at small producers to showcase their talents to the world.
Organisers said the name Poinciana was chosen because its roots dig deep and are widespread and the Poinciana canopy is breathtakingly beautiful when it blossoms, All these attributes the festival will embody.
There will be a Poinciana Teaser Concert at Hard Rock Café on South Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman Saturday, April 11 at 7:00pm – Sunday, April 12 at 12:00am.
For more information: [email protected]
Royal Caribbean sues owners of typo domain names
From Royal Caribbean blog
Royal Caribbean has filed a lawsuit against the owners of two web sites that have domain names that are typos of royalcaribbean.com.
The two sites, RoyalCaribean.com and RoyalCarribean.com, are lead generation sites that are meant to look like Royal Caribbean’s official site.
The lawsuit claims these mis-spelled domain names aim, “to misdirect potential customers away from Royal Caribbean’s website. The Defendant Domain Names thereby wrongfully profit from the goodwill and reputation of Royal Caribbean and its distinctive Royal Caribbean mark.”
It appears both domains are owned by the same person and the lawsuit claims the owner lives in India.
Royal Caribbean is seeking the two domains be transferred to Royal Caribbean’s ownership and any other damages the court deems appropriate.
For more: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/03/31/royal-caribbean-sues-owners-of-typo-domain-names
“Beyond the Red Carpet” TV Show coming to Cayman Islands
Beyond the Red Carpet is a new television show that will premiere on local television station CITN/Cayman27 on April 25th.
Pearlina McGaw-Lumsden, a Cayman Islands business consultant is the executive producer. She will also host the show that focuses on local fashion and women’s issues. The show will be 30 minutes long and will be having a launch party at the Cayman Islands Fashion Week (CIFW).
Organisers say Beyond the Red Carpet (BTRC) is more than just a TV show. McGaw-Lumsden says “We don’t want it just to be about fashion, but whatever issues concern the gala or event that we are at. We want to truly understand the cause, as well as talk about what are you wearing, who did your nails and who did your makeup.”
Support BTRC as they go on the red carpet and Beyond The Red Carpet to bring to you the information that matters. For more information and your chance to get one FREE ticket to Cayman Fashion Week go to: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/beyondtheredcarpet?source=feed_text&story_id=882796471743581
Cayman Fashion Week is celebrating their 5th Anniversary of fashion and excellence under the theme “Fashion Rocks”
Dates for the 2015 event are April 18th – 26th.
Curaçao: First-time visitor falls for this Caribbean charmer
By Nicole Pensiero From Curacao Chronicle
Beautiful, breezy, and surrounded by crystal blue-green water and near-non-stop sunshine, Curaçao — the largest of the so-called “ABC” islands located off the coast of Venezuela — has the type of low-key charm that can make a first-time visitor a big-time fan.
Here, you’ll find no vendors haggling with you on the beach; no massive hordes of tourists lined up outside restaurants — just non-stop relaxation and breathtakingly beautiful beaches. While Curaçao (pronounced “kewr-e-sow”) keeps a lower profile than its smaller, but more densely populated, neighboring island of Aruba (Bonaire rounds out the ABC Islands’ tropical trilogy), it’s a vacation spot that can win you over pretty effortlessly.
For more: http://curacaochronicle.com/tourism/curacao-first-time-visitor-falls-for-this-caribbean-charmer/
Cayman Islands hospital predicts $70M bad debts
Lizzette Yearwood, Chief Executive Officer of the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA), told the Public Accounts Committee she predicts there will be approx. $70 million in bad debts at the end of this financial year.
She also told the Committee that the HSA has an obligation to treat everyone in need of medical attention first and deal with the issue of costs later.
However, she said the hospital has made strides collecting debt on elective procedures and ensuring payment for non-emergency treatment.
The hospital, she said, was systematically working towards minimising bad debt and trying to improve collection and payments in each of the departments. The next big push would be to collect payment for drugs at the pharmacy.
US official cautions Caribbean countries about citizenship programmes
From Caribbean News Now
US charge d’ affaires Mark Bysfield told Caribbean national security officials at a Regional Security Service (RSS) meeting in Barbados that, despite the difficult economic times that require austere budgets, Caribbean states must be cautious.
“I urge member states to exercise due diligence and caution in the administration of economic citizenship programmes,” Bysfield said at the start of the annual meeting of the Council of Ministers of the RSS.
New St Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris told journalists at the RSS meeting that his government intends to continue the programme, but with some adjustments, having hit some turbulence over the last two years when the US government issued an advisory regarding the management and due diligence practices of the programme.
The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment programme is the oldest and has long been considered the best programme of its kind in the world; however, last year Canada imposed visa restrictions on citizens of St Kitts and Nevis due to concerns regarding the programme and the due diligence methods and overall management of the programme by former prime minister Dr Denzil Douglas.
Harris indicated that a concerted effort has begun to have the programme revamped, with the aim of eventually having Canada reverse its decision to remove visa waivers.
According to Harris, his Cabinet will make a determination shortly, on how to proceed in light of recommendations made by an agency that reviewed the programme.
“We, at home are working post haste to revamp the programme to institute some control measures, which we think would reduce incidents of risk to our programme and to other partners internationally,” the prime minister said.
“We are optimistic that we can reorganize, reposition and strengthen the position of St Kitts and Nevis, which has been the oldest and which, hitherto, has had the best programme available. We still believe that we can make it the best programme and the one which others will go on to emulate.”
Cayman Islands police looking for stolen vehicles
The RCIPS is appealing to members of the public to be on the lookout for two stolen vehicles. Police are keen to hear from anyone who has seen vehicles fitting the descriptions whether it be parked abundant or being driven. We suspect that these vehicles may be intended for some illegal act and are encouraging anyone who has any information on the whereabouts of these vehicles to contact 911 or the nearest police station immediately.
A 1995 blue Honda Civic Ferio registration 123-596 which was reported stolen around 7:40am on Saturday March 21st 2015 from an apartment complex on Newport Avenue, George Town.
A 2005 Black Chevy Epica registration 153-514 which was reported stolen 27/3/2015 at 11:00AM from Smith Cove, George Town.
Further to the above, the RCIPS is reiterating its appeal to members of the public to be on the lookout for three stolen vehicles.
Police are keen to hear from anyone with information or anyone seeing the stolen vehicles fitting the descriptions provided, whether parked, abandoned or driven. These vehicles may be intended for illegal acts and RCIPS is encouraging persons with information to contact 911, 949-4222 or the nearest police station immediately or to remain anonymous, to use CRIME STOPPERS at 800-8477(TIPS).
It is possible that the registration plates may have been changed to deceive the authorities. Stolen:
– A 1995 blue Honda Civic Ferio registration 123-596 – reported stolen around 7:40am on Saturday, 21 March 2015 from an apartment complex on Newport Avenue, George Town.
– A 2005 Black Chevy Epica registration 153-514 – reported stolen Friday, 27 March 2015 at 11:00 am from Smith Cove, George Town.
– A 2004 Silver Nissan Sunny registration 161-667 stolen sometime between 7:00am Friday, 27 March 2015 – 6:25pm Saturday, 28 March 2015 from an apartment complex on Mount Pleasant Road, West Bay.
STEP Caribbean Conference 2015 hosted by Anguilla set to land in St Maarten May 4 – 6
From Curacao Chronicle
Conference program will tackle the thorny issues within the region and beyond Stellar line up of speakers featured
TORONTO – A truly international line up of speakers will grace the stage at the STEP Caribbean Conference 2015 to be hosted this year by Anguilla in St Maartin.
Speakers ranging from The Honorable Mr. Justice David Hayton, The Caribbean Court of Justice for Trinidad and Tobago to Nicholas Malumian, Partner Malumian & Fossati have been slotted into a program designed to provide thought leadership and state of the art intel on the topics that matter to wealth structuring and trust professionals today.
Joining them will be Professor Avinash Persaud, The Peterson Trust, Barbados and Washington and Kevvie Fowler, a data protection and technology expert from KPMG Canada – Kevvie spoke at last years conference and was so well received that conference organisors asked him back to give part two of his presentation on “who’s minding your data”.
This years conference will also see a Sunday “excursion” for delegates from St Maartin to Anguilla to enjoy a beach BBQ and some sunshine at Da Vida, one of the most beautiful beach clubs on the island. There is no extra cost for delegates to attend on the Sunday and organizers are planning for a “full boat” for that event.
The conference kicks off Monday with an exciting presentation from Helene Lewis, former Chair of STEP Worldwide and a respected trust lawyer from BVI. The program runs the gamut from regional subject matter experts to international speakers and has been designed to provide delegates with pragmatic and useful information and updates on both macro and technical topics.
Delegate registration is now open and sponsorships though limited, are still available.
The full program is posted on the website: http://www.stepcaribbeanconference.com/ along with speaker bios and photos.
BlueSky airlines not taking to the skies soon
Cayman Islands BlueSky Airlines provides progress report on its 2015 launch plans
BlueSky Airlines wishes to keep its valued stakeholders and future customers informed on its progress towards launching its new flights later in 2015.
The Grand Cayman-based airline has recently navigated through turbulent times with the unexpected demise of its European aircraft lessor, Eurolot, which was contracted to supply the initial two aircraft to BlueSky’s fleet. Due to recent events there, culminating with the Polish government’s announcement that it will liquidate Eurolot by the end of March 2015, BlueSky’s Board of Directors determined that its lease agreement with Eurolot for Bombardier Q400 aircraft was no longer viable and terminated the contract.
BlueSky’s focus is now on intensifying its search for alternative aircraft. Last week the carrier accelerated negotiations with potential lessors for new Bombardier Q400s becoming available over the next few months. While the negotiations for aircraft continues, BlueSky is working closely with the Cayman Islands Civil Aviation Authority (CAACI) and the Air Transport Licensing Authority (ATLA) to complete the regulatory process.
BlueSky Airlines’ Chairman Kenny Rankin said “Once these new aircraft are secured we will announce our planned launch date as well as our intended date to commence reservations and ticket sales, all subject to government approvals.”
Rankin added “Due to the temporary delay of our launch date, we recently restructured and streamlined our organization. This resulted in the temporary elimination of some positions and consequently the redundancy of some staff. Once alternative Bombardier Q400 aircraft are contracted, we intend to restore the redundant positions and expand the organization in preparation for the launch of our scheduled airline operations. The airline remains fully operational and we look forward to completing the regulatory process and to receiving our operating certificate later in 2015.”
Ramdin: Caribbean and U.S. need to agree on mutual agenda
By Clive Bacchus From WINN FM
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): As Caribbean leaders prepare for their April 9th summit with US President Barack Obama, questions are being raised about the regions agenda for relations with the world’s largest economy and most powerful nation.
Albert Ramdin Assistant Secretary General of the 35-nation Organization of American States (OAS), was asked to share his perspective on regional preparations for the event.
“I don’t see a comprehensive plan, from where I stand and from what I see. I see elements of a plan. I see the topics that need to be addressed. I don’t see the plan,” he told WINN FM last week.
Ambassador Ramdin said he had attended the recent Caribbean Summit on Energy with US Vice President Joseph Biden, and came away with feeling that nothing had been agreed upon.
“I hope that this meeting doesn’t result in the same. The best way to succeed in my view…is to agree on a mutual agenda, one which will be of mutual interest, and if the United States sees that there are elements…that serve their agenda, their benefit, their prosperity as well, then we can start the conversation.”
For more: http://www.winnfm.com/news/local/11970-ramdin-caribbean-and-u-s-need-to-agree-on-mutual-agenda
Cayman Islands rises in Global Index
The Cayman Islands has moved up an impressive 15 positions in the most recent Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI).
“The Cayman Islands was ranked at 54 in the last report published in September and it is indeed very pleasing to see the significant move upwards to 39 in the rankings”, said Mr. Jude Scott, CEO of Cayman Finance.
Cayman Finance notes that this new ranking puts it above a number of competing jurisdictions such as the Channel Islands, Bermuda and the Bahamas.
“The index is partly based on perception and we therefore think that this is a positive reflection of how representatives of the world’s financial services industry views the Cayman Islands”, added Mr. Scott.
The Index also revealed that the Cayman Islands is the second highest ranked jurisdiction in the Latin America and Caribbean region.
The Global Financial Centres Index is carried out twice per year and over 2,000 respondents participated in this most recent survey.
Cricket – Kevin Pietersen set for Caribbean Premier League stint
From Yahoo Sport
Kevin Pietersen is still on schedule to play for the St Lucia Zouks
Organisers confirmed the schedule on Tuesday, in a press release which lists Pietersen as one of its stars – alongside West Indies big-hitter Chris Gayle, Martin Guptill and Jacques Kallis among others.
Pietersen negotiated a release from the majority of his Indian Premier League contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad next month and in May so that he could agree a new contract with Surrey.
The superstar batsman, sacked by England last year after their Ashes whitewash defeat, is hoping a return to four-day county cricket may yet pave the way for a Test recall.
New England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves has hinted that could be a possibility, if Pietersen performs well.
The 34-year-old has said he will “do anything” to play for England again, and dreams of being back for this summer’s Ashes rematch – a series which runs from July 8 to August 24.
Pietersen agreed in the close season to return to play for the Zouks, as he did last summer.
His commitments for them may, however, clash with part of the Ashes – or his hopes of continuing to press his claims with runs for Surrey.
The CPL season begins on June 20 and ends on July 26 and the tournament’s international director of cricket, Tom Moody, is confident Pietersen will be there.
“At this stage he sees himself very much as part of the CPL, he’s made the commitment and will have played a lot of county cricket at that time,” he told the CPL’s official website.
“We don’t see that changing, he hasn’t indicated that’s going to be the case (to pull out) but if he’s suddenly picked in an Ashes Test match that’s all going to change very quickly.
“I think that is probably not a realistic target for him unless something dramatic happens between now and then. It’s going to be hard for him, there’s a lot of hurdles to be overcome; one, form, which will be his easiest hurdle; two, his fitness and three is his building bridges. There are many to be built after what has been said from both parties over a long period of time.”
For more: https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/cricket-pietersen-set-cpl-stint-182620975–spt.html
Credit card scammer in Cayman Islands may be wanted in St Maarten
Ianaca Vlismas, a member of a Romanian gang of fraudsters who was recently convicted in a credit card scam on Cayman Islands retail banks is wanted in Sint Maarten after being convicted there of a similar credit card scam.
This was revealed by prosecuting counsel Toyin Salako at the sentencing hearing last Tuesday (31). He said the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had been advised this by the law enforcement agencies from Sint Maarten who said Vlismas had fled the jurisdiction before he could be sentenced. Sint Maarten have requested extradition after Vlismas’ case here has been dealt with.
Laurence Aiolfi, Vlismas’ attorney, however, told the court his client denies having any conviction on Sint Maarten, despite having been there.
Justice Charles Quin delayed sentencing Vlismas to give the crown time to find out if he is “a fugitive from justice”, and if he has any other convictions that relate to the offence. He said it could impact his sentence.
Scioli backs Máximo Kirchner, calls media reports ‘defamatory’
From Buenos Aires Herald
Buenos Aires province Governor Daniel Scioli publicly expressed his support of Máximo Kirchner.
Buenos Aires province Governor Daniel Scioli has expressed his support to Máximo Kirchner following media reports that alluded to the president’s son holding secret bank accounts in the United States and the Cayman Islands.
Scioli considered the versions “defamatory” and “slanderous” and highlighted Máximo Kirchner’s “strength of spirit to defend with dignity his political convictions.”
“Electoral disputes must not jeopardize the honour of the people or the interests of the country,” the governor said today in his official Twitter account adding that “the conquests of this projects must find all Argentineans together, defending jobs, education, inclusion policies and the future of them.”
“I trust in the wisdom and maturity of the Argentinean people to keep on moving forward.”
For more: http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/185667/scioli-backs-máximo-kirchner-calls-media-reports-defamatory
See related iNews Cayman story “La Nación: tax havens and money laundering [and the Cayman Islands]” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/la-nacion-tax-havens-and-money-laundering-and-the-cayman-islands/
Cuban “migrant” outflow continues to increase as U.S. surrenders to Castro regime
By Carlos Eire From Babalu
East Berliners who wanted to escape from their communist Hell had to surmount The Wall or tunnel under it.
Cubans who want to escape from their communist and tourist-infested Hell have to cross shark-infested waters in “rustic” vessels.
And they don’t just aim for Florida. Lately, large numbers of Cubans have been heading south, to the Cayman Islands.
The ultimate destination for many of them is the United States, by roundabout routes.
Their exodus is steady, and growing. Their plight is tragic.
As the acolytes of the current occupant of the White House bring wondrous gifts to the Castro regime, the victims of that regime seek to escape before those gifts are opened.
The American gift they fear the most is the one that will strip Cubans of refugee status and make them no different from Haitians, Mexicans, and other Lateeeeeen-ohs.
Welcome to the undocumented migrant club, ah-mee-goes…
Richard Branson’s Caribbean climb
From Caribbean Journal
It’s not an easy hike.
In other words, the perfect challenge for the Caribbean’s most famous resident entrepreneur: Richard Branson.
In a post to his company website this week, Branson described his recent hike up the famous Pitons of St Lucia.
Branson, a resident of the private Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, recently moored his Necker Belle yacht just off St Lucia’s iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“We were playing an early morning game of tennis and stopped to look up at The Pitons, St Lucia’s two beautiful volcanic mountains,” Branson wrote on the Virgin website. “There had been a quick shower just before we began our game and the mist was rising over Gros Piton. It looked absolutely magnificent. As I stared, I wondered: could we climb it?”
Branson and his group said yes.
And after a long hike and after the group’s water ran low, Branson and company scaled the big rock.
“I wasn’t expecting such a steep climb, or such huge volcanic rocks to overcome,” said Branson, whose climbing experience includes time at Mont Blanc.
And it took just two hours.
Gros Piton towers 2,619 feet above sea level.
The move was the latest in the Caribbean for Branson, who has become one of the region’s most famous ambassadors in recent years, from hosting the Necker Cup to creating the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship.
And Branson continues to chart his Caribbean endeavours in recent months, from saving a Caribbean honeymoon to his famously sharing a LIAT complaint letter in 2013.
For more: http://www.caribjournal.com/2015/03/31/richard-bransons-caribbean-climb/
Caribbean tax haven resists UK pressure for company register
By REUTERS From Mail Onine UK
LONDON, April 1 (Reuters) – The government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) said it has no plans to establish a central register of true company owners, despite pressure from Britain to adopt the anti-money laundering and tax evasion measure.
The BVI said in a statement on Wednesday it was backing other measures it said would be at least as effective in ensuring law enforcement agencies can find out who is behind shell companies involved in financial crime.
British Prime Minister David Cameron proposed plans for a public register of the beneficial owners of all companies in 2013, during a G8 summit in Northern Ireland.
Some of the UK’s overseas territories, including the BVI, have opposed the move.
The BVI is consistently ranked in industry surveys as one of the top offshore locations in the world, in terms of the volume of money flowing through it and the number of company formations there. Lawyers say secrecy is a key selling point for the territory’s financial industry.
However, the BVI said it would continue to talk with the British government about the “merits and impact” of legislation on establishing a central register of beneficial ownership. (Reporting by Tom Bergin; editing by David Clarke)
Cayman Islands see more Cuban migrants arrive
From emigrate
Over the past few days, 60 migrants from Cuba have arrived in the territorial waters surrounding the Cayman Islands. While they wait for improved weather conditions, they have been allowed to anchor offshore or to dock.
The Ministry of Home affairs said that the largest group had been found on Monday at Colliers Beach. This group included 31 men and 7 women, however another man had chosen to disembark to be taken into custody.
On the Cayman Brac’s south side, near the Divi Tiara resort, another group of docked Cuban migrants (four women and nine men) were discovered.
On Sunday, a third group of migrants from Cuba floated into the harbour of George Town and had laid down their anchor.
Ministry officials said that Bruce Smith, acting Chief Immigration Officer, had allowed the Cuban migrants on the boats to stay and wait for calmer weather. Local rules state that the migrants must stay on their watercraft and if they try to come ashore, they will be arrested and repatriated back to Cuba.
Some 44 migrants were waiting to go back to Cuba whilst living in the Immigration Detention Centre at the same time the 60 new migrants were discovered.
Since the start of 2015, over 160 migrants from Cuba have been found in the local waters surrounding the Cayman Islands.
Adopting Caribbean Coral
From Caribbean Journal
When it comes to the protection of the environment, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire is at the forefront of the region.
And that’s exemplified in the work of the Bonaire Coral Restoration Foundation, which has been working to regrow and plant new coral to supply for the region’s endangered reefs.
Now, the foundation has announced its newest initiative: offering the chance to adopt a coral.
The programme gives the opportunity of adopting a coral tree with a personal or company name on it, with all funding directly benefiting the foundation — for $50.
That includes a certificate, a thank you letter, a UW Tree tag and digital images.
The foundation, which launched as a joint project between the Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire and the Coral Restoration Foundation USA, has transplanted almost 4,000 corals to five different restoration sites on the island.
For more: http://www.caribjournal.com/2015/03/31/adopting-caribbean-coral/
Do you recognize this cat?
From CARE – Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiasts
We need your help. Does anyone recognize this cat?
He was found wandering around L’Ambience (Fairbanks Rd) George Town, on Sunday, March 8th crying and hungry.
He did not have a collar or tag and is not chipped. He is neutered, about 8 yrs old and healthy, other than being quite underweight. He has tested negative for any feline viruses been dewormed and is up to date on flea and tick preventative.
He is clearly a house cat, very affectionate with everyone and great with kids. He is currently staying with Elaine – the good samaritan who has been caring for him but given how affectionate and loving he is we desperately feel that someone must be missing this very loving cat.
If his owner can’t be found then we will need to see if we can find him a forever home – all he wants is to cuddle up on a lap but Elaine’s own cats are not taking to him at all so she can’t keep him forever.
She does think he’d be ok with other cats who are more accepting of another cat. If you know anything about this gorgeous boy, where he came from or if you know anyone who lost their cat over the past month and it could be this sweetheart then please call Elaine on 929 9166 and let’s see if we can find his home.
CARE-Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiasts
www.caymancare.ky 938 2273
New studies lend insight into the performance of Caribbean MPAs
From Department of Marine Affairs University of Rhode Island
URI collaborators Tracey Dalton (MAF), Graham Forrester (NRS) and Richard Pollnac (MAF) led a rapid assessment of thirty-one marine protected areas (MPAs) and their associated human communities in the wider Caribbean and present their findings in two recent journal articles.
One article examines how MPAs in the wider Caribbean are making progress toward their social (or human-oriented) and ecological objectives. Findings show that Caribbean MPAs have many objectives related to both social and ecological conditions and that most MPAs are making at least some progress towards achieving these objectives. Where MPAs are not meeting their objectives, the authors recommend that planners and managers consider reallocating human and financial resources to address deficiencies and re-evaluate existing goals and objectives. The article “Are Caribbean MPAs making progress toward their goals and objectives?” is published in the Marine Policy Journal and the abstract is available at www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X14003467.
Another study investigates causal relationships between characteristics of a MPA & its associated communities, user compliance with MPA rules, and ecological performance of marine protected areas (MPAs). Findings show that active management, in the form of formal monitoring, surveillance, and the collection of tourist access fees, and enforced punishments are strong drivers of compliance with MPA rules in the Caribbean. Results also indicate that these drivers of compliance are themselves influenced by factors related to the MPA and its associated communities, including the level of socioeconomic development in the communities and whether the MPA is part of a political network like the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System or a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The article “Investigating causal pathways linking site-level characteristics, compliance and ecological performance in Caribbean MPAs” will be published in the May 2015 issue of the Journal of Coastal Management (http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ucmg20).
Please contact Dr. Tracey Dalton at [email protected] if you have any questions or comments about these studies.
IMAGE: MPAs
For more on this story go to: http://web.uri.edu/maf/new-studies-lend-insight-into-the-performance-of-caribbean-mpas/
