All posts tagged: plastic-free cayman

What You Need To Know About Turtle Nesting Season In The Cayman Islands

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The Cayman Islands was originally named “Las Tortugas” in 1503 by Christopher Columbus, due to the abundance of turtles found in our waters.  Five hundred years later, turtles are still one of the most beloved and iconic animals in the Cayman Islands.  There are three species of turtles that can be found in the Cayman Islands: the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle, the endangered Green Sea Turtle, and the vulnerable Loggerhead Sea Turtle.  Sea turtles are a strong symbol for the Cayman Islands and need support through protection and conservation.  That being said, during Turtle Nesting Season it is vital that turtles and their nests are kept safe and not disturbed, so that hatchlings (baby turtles) are able to make their way to the water.   Some simple ways the community can help protect turtles during nesting season include keeping the beaches clean of litter and keeping nesting beaches dark and safe for turtles. Homes in popular nesting areas are asked to keep blinds closed and to use ‘turtle friendly lighting.’ This attractive amber lighting …

Ocean Conservation Month with Guy Harvey

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“The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation (GHOF) conducts scientific research and hosts educational programs aimed at conserving the marine environment. The GHOF will help ensure that future generations can enjoy and benefit from a naturally balanced ocean ecosystem.”-Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation. This year GHOF has dedicated March as Ocean Conservation Month and it is in full swing. The heart of Ocean Conservation Month is to “educate and inspire generations across the Cayman Islands to actively support and participate in initiatives to protect our ocean” (Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation). Ocean Conservation month is filled with an array of ocean-inspired activities that encourage the community to take part and learn more about how we can all contribute to helping keep our oceans healthy. Recently, the GHOF teamed up with Plastic Free Cayman for a beach cleanup. Dr. Guy Harvey has taken the 345 Pledge committing to reducing his use of single-use plastics. An array of stellar events are already underway. Two major upcoming events to look forward to are the documentary screening of “Stingray Chronicles Part 2” and …

5 Ways You Can Make An Impact On Earth Day

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Earth Day is just around the corner.  It is the perfect time to take on a green challenge to commit to simple actions that will make a positive impact.  It is easy to become discouraged if we cannot directly see the impact we are making.  At the end of the day we all want to contribute to the betterment of our environment and make a difference.  Sometimes, it’s hard to figure out where to begin and to stay motivated.  Truth is, start anywhere and even if you choose just one simple action that betters the environment and stay dedicated, it will make a difference.  Start small and go from there.  Encourage your friends and family to join you in your green challenge.  Whether it is ditching plastic water bottles and having a reusable bottle with you while you are on the go.  Or, you choose to start shopping at the local farmers market.  Having others to be accountable to will help keep you on track.  It can also inspire others to follow your example.   …

PWC Ocean Awareness Week: Saving Sharks

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PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) kicks off their second annual Ocean Awareness Week on Sunday, 19th November 2017.  In the spirit of ocean advocacy PWC’s employees are showing their love for the ocean and commitment to ocean awareness by competing with one another in a series of Ocean Friendly Challenges.  Bonus! This year, they are extending an invitation to community of the Cayman Islands to take the challenge to raise ocean awareness whether as an individual, with friends and family or with your colleagues.  In addition, PWC’s Ocean Awareness Week would like to use this opportunity to raise awareness for sharks.  In particular, they would like to highlight the dedicated hard work and commitment to protect sharks by the Cayman Islands Department of Environment through their Cayman Islands Shark Project. Cayman Islands Shark Project By Dept. of Environment and Marine Conservation International. The Cayman Islands Sharks Project provides information leading to a greater understanding, both locally and regionally, of the need to conserve these species and the environment on which they depend. With the help of acoustic tags, …

Moonlight Screening: A Plastic Ocean

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  Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and the Cayman Islands Department of Environment is hosting a moonlight screening featuring the documentary A Plastic Ocean, Tuesday 7 November at 7pm in Camana Bay’s Gardenia Court. Snowcones and popcorn will be available for purchase and all proceeds will go to Guy Harvey‘s Ocean Foundation.  A Plastic Ocean is a film that candidly shows the magnitude of plastic polluting our oceans and threatening marine life. Ocean plastic is a growing epidemic contaminating the balance of the ocean, entangling marine life and often being mistaken as food by marine life, mammals and birds resulting in their death. “In the center of the Pacific Ocean gyre our researchers found more plastic than plankton. A Plastic Ocean documents the newest science, proving how plastics, once they enter the oceans, break up into small particulates that enter the food chain where they attract toxins like a magnet. These toxins are stored in seafood’s fatty tissues, and eventually consumed by us.”- A Plastic Ocean A Plastic Ocean is a powerful film. It is a wake up …

Turning the Tide on Plastic

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It is becoming more evident that as consumers we have an addiction to plastic and it is a habit that is in desperate need of breaking. Plastic is an escalating problem globally. In particular, single-use plastics such as bottle caps, plastic bags, straws and so on are more frequently being found in our oceans or tangled around or ingested by marine life. Micro-plastics are another major component of ocean pollution. Plastic products that are not recycled end up somewhere and that could be in landfills or as debris polluting the environment, rivers, lakes, and oceans which is problematic. Somewhere along the way the ocean has become a trash can, and it was never intended or designed to be one. Our oceans serve as a home to marine life, coral reefs and ecosystems all of which depend on a healthy ocean for their survival— we depend on a healthy ocean for our survival. We view the ocean as this indestructible resource, however, even the ocean has its limits and plastic pollution disrupts the health of the …