Cayman Islands Bans Cruise Ships from Port to Protect Coral

May 3, 2007

Cayman Islands Bans Cruise Ships from Port to Protect Coral
May 3, 3007 – Cayman Islands officials have announced a ban on cruise ships anchoring at their ports in order to protect the coral reefs.

"Because cruise ships are the biggest vessels to use the area regularly, their chains tend to cause a lot of the damage," said John Bothwell, a research officer with the British Caribbean territory’s environment department.

According to Bothwell, a cruise ship anchoring for one day can destroy nearly one acre of intact reef.

Environmental officials say some coral can be preserved despite extensive damage along the sea floor near the Spotts Dock facility. This is used as an alternative port when seas are too rough for cruise ships to call on the George Town harbor.

Cruise ships capable of holding their position without anchoring will still be allowed to unload passengers in Spotts Bay, about 16 kilometers (10 miles) east of the capital.