Noticeboard

Turtle nesting season runs from 1 May – 30 November. Help us protect these magnificent creatures by doing the following: • Keep lights off at beachside properties unless you have turtle-friendly lighting installed. Nesting and hatchling turtles are disoriented by artificial light and it can lead them into dangerous situations. • Keep beaches clean and clear by picking up litter and moving beach furniture at night so that turtles have plenty of space to find their nesting sites. • Never rake or cover turtle tracks. • No bonfires on the beach without a permit! Bonfires in the vicinity of nests can cause egg and hatchling mortality. • Consult with DoE before bringing vehicles or equipment onto the beach. Eggs under the sand may be crushed if driven over. • Never approach or disturb nesting or mating turtles. Human presence can cause them to abandon nesting/mating attempts. • Report turtle tracks or a turtle in distress to our 24hr Turtle Hotline (938-NEST/938-6378) using WhatsApp with a photograph and location description or pin drop. Turtles and nests are protected at all times under the National Conservation Act (2013) and it is an offence to disturb or harm them. Report any suspicious activity to +1(345)916-4271 or call 911.

The Cayman Islands’ conch and whelk seasons open Thursday, 1 November. Every year, the open seasons serve as a way for residents to sustainably harvest the marine delicacies, leaving enough of both species for future generations to enjoy. The open season, which runs from 1 November to 30 April, allows for the taking of conch and whelk within legal limits. The legal daily limit for possessing conch during the open season is five per person or 10 per boat each day, whichever is less. Only queen conch (Strombus gigas, Lobatus gigas) may be taken and no person may take – or permit another person to take, purchase, receive, offer for sale or possess – more than five conchs from Cayman waters. The legal daily limit for possession of whelks during the open season is two-and-a-half gallons in the shell or two-and-a-half pounds of processed whelks per person, per day. No one may purchase or receive more than two-and-a-half gallons in the shell or two-and-a-half pounds of processed whelks from Cayman for each day. Chitons, periwinkles and bleeding teeth may not be taken. Echinoderms (starfish, sea eggs/urchins, sea cucumbers and sand dollars) may not be taken. Department of Environment [DoE] Manager John Bothwell urged residents not to support poachers and individuals taking, purchasing or possessing more than the legal limits. “Don’t buy conch or whelk from people, even during the open season, if they are taking over the legal limit,” he said. “Taking over the limit is illegal and those who are caught will be prosecuted.” Members of the public are also reminded that Cayman’s annual lobster season does not open until 1 December. Individuals may come across lobsters while conching or whelking, but it is still closed season for lobsters which may be reproducing. Anyone caught possessing locally-caught lobster out of season will also be prosecuted. If anyone sees, or becomes aware of, suspected poaching activity, or suspects someone is purchasing more than the legal daily limits of locally caught conch or whelks, they are asked to call 911. They may also contact DoE enforcement officers directly on Grand Cayman (916-4271), on Cayman Brac (call 911) or on Little Cayman (925-0185).

The Ministry of Education and Training advises that the National Training and Development Unit has relocated to the Government Administration Building. The public can continue to contact the Unit via email. For general enquiries, email nationaltraining@gov.ky. For queries related to the Ready2Work KY programme, email ready2work@gov.ky. The Ministry thanks the public for their continued cooperation and understanding.

The Customs and Border Control Service (CBC) advises the public that its Elgin Avenue office in George Town will be temporarily closed as at Thursday, 12 March, due to ventilation issues affecting the facility. CBC is actively addressing the matter and will provide a further update in due course regarding the anticipated reopening date and time. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate the public's understanding. To stay connected with the Ministry of District Administration & Home Affairs, follow us on social media @mdahacayman or visit our website at https://www.gov.ky/mdaha/

The Health Services Authority will be facilitating Flu vaccine administration to patients at various locations & times through the month of March. See link for details & availability.