Marine Conservation

In the 1970s and 80s, the Cayman Islands Government in consultation with dive operators, fishermen and concerned citizens, enacted a series of Marine Parks Regulations to protect the coastal and marine environment of the islands. The Marine Parks system was established in 1986 with the enactment of the Marine Parks Regulations. This country has attained recognition for its leadership role in marine conservation and its healthy system of marine parks surrounding all three islands.

With the Marine Conservation Act of 1978, and later, the Marine Parks Law of 1986, Cayman Islands passed legislation creating some of the Caribbean's most effective laws protecting the coastal and territorial marine environment. In June 1993, the Cayman introduced the most severe penalties for marine pollution in the Caribbean. The Government amended the Marine Conservation Act of 1978, raising the maximum fine to international standards (CI$500,000 or US$625,000) for any vessel convicted of polluting in Cayman's territorial waters.

Designed to conserve the pristine nature of the Cayman Islands' waters, these regulations called for the establishment of three preservation zones on Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Replenishment Zones provide year-round protection for conch and lobster breeding grounds. A single Environmental Zone preserves a portion of Grand Cayman's North Sound Lagoon where mangroves flourish, and Marine Park Zones provide permanent moorings to regulate anchoring and preserve delicate coral reefs.

Because these zones protect our spectacular underwater world, the coral, sponges and fish that flourish in the Cayman Islands are today, more bountiful than ever. Divers and snorkellers marvel at the beauty and abundance of our tarpon, grouper, eagle rays, silversides and barracuda, as well as our famous stingrays.

Here in the Cayman Islands, our ongoing commitment to marine life preservation ensures that our waters will remain clean, clear and spectacular for future generations of Caymanians and dive enthusiasts.

Rules of the various Marine Park zones.

Replenishment Zone

• No taking conch or lobster by any means
• Line fishing and anchoring are permitted
• Spear guns, pole spears, fish traps and nets prohibited, except that fry and sprat may be taken with a fry or cast net.

Environmental Zone

• No taking of any marine life, alive or dead, with no exceptions
• No anchoring of any boat
• No in-water activities
• Speed Limit - 5mph
• Line fishing, fish traps, seine nets, spearguns and pole spears totally prohibited

Marine Park Zone

• No taking any marine life alive or dead, except: line fishing from shore is permitted and line fishing at and beyond the drop-off is permitted [NOTE: Fish traps, spear guns, pole spears, seine nets totally prohibited.]
• No anchoring - use of fixed moorings only, except: boats of sixty feet or less may anchor in sand, so long as no grappling hook is used, and neither the anchor nor the rope or chain lies on coral
• Anchoring permitted in designated Port anchorage areas
• Anchoring prohibitions suspended during emergencies and by permission of Port Director

'Look but don't touch' is the policy promoted with respect to Cayman's marine world. The strict marine conservation laws are enforced by marine parks and marine police officers, assisted by all members of the Cayman Islands Watersports Operators Association (CIWOA) in all three islands. Please respect our marine conservation laws as they protect the fragile marine world so that future generations may enjoy it as we have.