We realize that we are at risk from a number of viral diseases transmitted by this mosquito such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus.

We wish for the collaborative work between Oxitec and MRCU to continue unhindered so that the people residing in the Cayman Islands are protected from these diseases.

With the existing homes around the bay, fossil fuel engines used inside the bay, swimming whilst wearing harmful skin lotions like sun screens and bug sprays containing DEET; the destruction of the mangroves that once surrounded the bay, we have already done enough damage to this environment.

We are deeply concerned that swimming in the bay whilst wearing harmful skin lotions and bug sprays, the use of gas or diesel, as well as dredging the bay is going to harm this amazing natural phenomenon.

“There used to be more bioluminescent bays. New Providence Island in the Bahamas had a bioluminescent bay. Its opening to the sea was widened and the dinoflagellates population declined. A bioluminescent bay in Hawaii suffered a similar fate. Others in the Caribbean have been lost due to industrial or boat pollution, the cutting of mangroves for charcoal, the overgrazing by cattle of nearby fields, which produces water-clouding runoff, and the increase in artificial lights, which reduces the phenomenonís brightness, according to Barabara Bernache Baker, a retired biologist who has worked hard to preserve Vieques, Puerto Rico's Bio Bay, called the Mosquito Bay.”

“Tests now show that because of pollution, one of the three Bio Bay's in Puerto Rico, called La Paguera bay only glows 1/10 of its original strength.”
Paul Zaul July 1960, National geographic

“The Bio Bay in Vieques, called Puerto Mosquito in Puerto Rico is now a preserved bay and listed as a national natural landmark. The Department of National Environmental Resources (DNER) has classified the Puerto Mosquito as a “Class SA” water body, which means it that it is of high quality or of exceptional ecological or recreational value, and cannot be altered except by natural causes. There is a DNER regulation to help preserve the bay by prohibiting swimming in the water and all tours are done on electrically powered pontoon boats or paddle boats. The National Trust of Puerto Rico has also implemented a conservation certification program for Mosquito Bay guides and tour operators in coordination with DNER, as well as workshops on reducing water pollution for enforcement, elected officials, hospitality and tourism leaders, and the members of the construction industry.”
http://biobay.com
http://vcht.org/programs/bioluminescent-bay-preservation/

Grand Cayman needs to classify our bay as a high quality or of exceptional ecological or recreational value, that cannot be altered except by natural causes. We need to implement the same laws that DNER in Puerto Rico has put in place in order to preserve our bay for generations to come. We should also enforce programs to teach our hospitality and tourism leaders, locals, and guests on how to protect our environment instead of harming it.

“Many dinoflagellates are primary producers of food in the aquatic food webs. Dinoflagellates are an integral part of the first link in the aquatic food chain: the initial transfer of light energy to chemical energy (photosynthesis). Almost all other organisms are dependent upon this energy transfer for their subsequent existence. This group of microorganisms comprises a large number of unusual algal species of many shapes and sizes. Some even serve as symbionts, known as zooxanthellae, providing organic carbon to their hosts: reef-building corals, sponges, clams, jellyfish, anemones and squid.”
Smithsonian Institution. National Museum of Natural History. http://www.mnh.si.edu/highlight/sem/dinoflagellates.html

Dredging, pollution, land development, and overuse of the bay’s water must be regulated, studied and preserved as one of Cayman's National Natural Wonders.

Our first step to saving the bay is to NOT dredge it. Then we must try to enforce electric motors on the boats that travel inside the bay, no swimming with harmful skin lotions, hair conditioners and bug sprays, reduce ambient light to enhance the experience and replant red mangroves to replenish the bays nutrient sources.

We can’t let these natural lights go out!

Dredging of the North Sound to allow mega-yachts, cruise ships and potentially oil tankers for an oil refinery.

(Published on January 21/11 - CNS) Bush said the channel was “absolutely necessary”. “I have high expectations that we will sign a memorandum of understanding in the near future in order to commence definitive work on these projects.” “I am not prepared to wait any longer. If this particular company wants to develop it, I am prepared to go with them.” “If I was still chairing my boards it would have been done by now”.

(Published on January 24/11 - CFP) Mr. Bush challenged anyone to show him scientific evidence why the channel shouldn’t be done. “I have high expectations that we will sign a memorandum of understanding in the near future, in order to commence definitive work on these projects”. “The country cannot - and I’m not prepared to - wait any longer,” he said.

(Published on January 26/11 - CITN) Premier the Honourable McKeeva Bush said last week he wants proof that dredging a channel would hurt North Sound. “Someone will need to show me scientifically why what I’m saying shouldn’t happen.”

(Published on February 28/11 - CFP) Mr. Bush had told the Legislative Assembly of the intent to build a channel through the North Sound in their sitting on Wednesday, 23 February.

(Premiers Statement of March 3/11) The immediate plan is to commission a comprehensive environmental impact study. The event of developing this channel will depend entirely on the environmental study. I want to assure you that this project will not go ahead if the environmental impact study says it will damage the North Sound.

PREMIER'S OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE/NATIONAL BROADCAST https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NQk8uQeeMKtffyLwFE2wbyskONpvZdHrA46EcgFYPy8/edit?hl=en#

NORTH SOUND DEVELOPMENT MAPS (anonymously delivered to NS MLA)
https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AUvX_QQA956JZGR3NTVkOWJfMTFjbW5zdmdobg&hl=en

CHANNEL COULD SPELL DISASTER: NEWS ARTICLE
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CD89kZeQI8chR03M2IUvdfQkhyXGSEaI-I2kK3WPdis/edit?hl=en

RELEVANT PORTION OF CAYMAN ISLANDS (Dept of ENVIRONMENT) MARINE PARK REGULATIONS & CONSERVATION LAWS
https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B0vX_QQA956JNWE4NjdiN2ItZDM5ZC00YzgwLWEwN2YtMjgzODdjZmNmMTc0&hl=en

MANGROVES: PRESS ARTICLE
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14QraZ4AVR3z3hk_yRc-X4FX2ZN4tRoidrNHPifhydOE/edit?hl=en#

STORM SURGE INFORMATION> NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER (US)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jHenIdYYsslAuZE3sHibGu7zuDe_bK4OklylL2AO1mA/edit?hl=en#

Pirates Week has helped to promote Tourism in Cayman for the past thirty-three years. As a result of the global recession we have seen a decline in the number of visitors to the Cayman Islands, a renaming of this event will drastically reduce stay over visitors and hurt small businesses.

Additionally, we do not believe the Pirates Week festivities contribute to violent crime among our youth.

His Excellency is aware that two successful candidates for election in the District of Bodden Town have acknowledged that they did not fully comply in a timely fashion with the requirements under section 19G of the Constitution. They then later attempted to comply but after the time frame called for. Due to this potential breach the Constitution states that these candidates may not thus qualify to be elected.

Whilst the undersigned have no interest in seeking to disenfranchise the Bodden Town voters, we non the less feel strongly that there is a more important issue at stake in that respect for the law and upholding the provisions of the Constitution is paramount to good order and good governance in these Islands. Without this understanding, any election to establish those who would govern us stands for naught.

Precedence shows us that after the 1972 general elections the situation existed where there was doubt that a candidate elected in Bodden Town was qualified under the constitution. The then Governor refused to swear in the candidate and called on the Attorney General to bring the case to court to determine whether the candidate was constitutionally able to be elected or not. This was the correct thing to do as it ensured that regardless of the popularity of any political candidate that the rule of law and requirements of the Constitution took precedence.

We the undersigned were heartened by statement made by His Excellency The Governor prior to elections confirming that his expectation was that all candidates in the general elections would operate within the terms of the Constitution and applicable laws of the Cayman Islands. His Excellency added that should there be any cases of possible non-compliance with legal requirements then that would be a matter for the courts. It was correct for HE The Governor to make this statement as his post is charged with, amongst other things, ensuring that Good Governance and Rule of Law prevail in these Islands