Cayman Islands Marine Parks

Their Role in Fisheries Conservation

The protection of the adult breeding population in marine protected areas ensures a continued supply of fisheries resources by providing areas free from substantial fishing pressures that allow adults to reach the large sizes and maintain the numbers necessary for egg production. The eggs produced in these areas are then dispersed by ocean currents to settle in exploited areas and protected areas alike. Those that settle in protected areas can grow to produce more eggs, whilst the individuals that settle in exploited areas will most likely be caught in some form of fishery, however their continued survival remains safeguarded in a marine protected area.

Be sure to know review the rules for the Marine Parks Unlike our terrestrial home the seas around our islands have only limited boundaries and consequently are tightly integrated with areas many thousands of miles away. The oceanic dispersal of eggs means that, in some cases, our coral reefs may rely heavily on other areas of the Caribbean for their continued survival, areas we can not manage. Consequently, until ocean currents and reef recruitment are fully understood, it is vital that a network of marine protected areas are established through out this region to ensure the continued survival of all Caribbean marine environments.

Other than fishing
The Cayman Islands marine parks also offer many other important benefits beside the protection of fisheries resources. They are vital in protecting all the species that reside within their boundaries to ensure biodiversity and provide areas in a natural balance free from direct human disturbance.

Our marine parks can be used to increase public awareness and understanding of our natural systems and the human impacts on those systems. Marine parks areas may be especially important for monitoring long-term environmental changes. The only effective way to have an understanding of the impacts of human activities on natural systems is to have reference areas with minimum human impact.

The marine environment plays an important role as a main attraction in Cayman's vital tourist industry. Marine parks ensure the continued survival of an attractive marine environment and allow new uses not possible in heavily fished or impacted areas. Underwater photographers, naturalists, ecotourists, and scientists can all benefit from our marine parks.

The ultimate success of the Marine Parks relies heavily on adequate surveillance and enforcement to discourage poaching. Furthermore public education and awareness about the function and importance of our Marine Parks is essential.

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