Marine Parks

Whatever other treasure lies hidden in the Cayman Islands, there can be no doubt that the greatest treasures are the clear waters and healthy reefs which make our Islands a pre-eminent centre for diving and other water sports. Marine Parks, Replenishment Zones, Environmental Zones and Animal Sanctuaries have been set up on the Islands to ensure that Cayman's treasures will be in pristine condition for generations of visitors to enjoy.

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Rules for Cayman Island Marine Parks

• No taking of any marine life alive or dead, except:
  • line fishing from shore is permitted;
  • line fishing at depths of 80 ft or greater is permitted;
  • taking fry and sprat with a fry or cast net is permitted. NOTE: fish traps, spear guns, pole spears and other nets are totally prohibited.
• No anchoring - use of fixed moorings only, except:
  • boats of 60 ft or less may anchor in sand, so long as no grappling hook is used, and neither the anchor nor the rope or chain will impact coral;
  • anchoring permitted in designated Port anchorage areas—contact Port Security VHF Channel 16;
  • anchoring prohibitions suspended during emergencies and by permission of Port Director.
• Bloody Bay, Little Cayman - Special restrictions have been placed on the use of the Bloody Bay Marine Park, no commercial operations may use the park without a licence from the Marine Conservation Board.

 Replenishment Zone

• No taking of conch or lobster by any means
• Line fishing (see FISHING LICENSES section over page) and anchoring permitted;
• Anchor, chain or line must not touch coral;
• Spear guns, pole spears, fish traps and nets prohibited, except that fry and sprat may be taken with a fry or cast net. NOTE: These zones include the outside edge of the reef to a depth of 20 feet.

 Environmental Zone

• No taking of any marine life, alive or dead with no exceptions
• No in-water activities;\
• Public may access only at speeds of 5 m.p.h. or less;
• No anchoring of any boat.

 NOTE: Line fishing, fish traps, nets, spear guns and strikers are totally prohibited.

 Animal Sanctuaries/RAMSAR Sites

• No hunting
• No collecting of any species,
• No littering.

 Designated Grouper Spawning Areas

• East and West End of: Cayman Brac, Little Cayman and Twelve Mile Bank. Coxswain Bank and South West Point Grand Cayman.
• No fishing for Nassau groupers.
• No fish pots or spear fishing within one-mile radius of Designated Grouper Spawning Area from 1 November through 31 March.

 No Diving Zone

• No SCUBA diving.

To read The A to Z of the Cayman Islands Marine Parks, click here.

For more information on Marine Parks, check out our article Cayman Island Marine Parks - Their Role in Fisheries Conservation.