Stuart Jack

Biodiversity is big in Cayman

Huw Irranca-Davies, the UK’s Minister for the Natural and Marine Environment, Wildlife and Rural Affairs, was in Cayman last week for the conference of the UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum which discussed a wide range of environmental issues facing the OTs. His presence was much appreciated by participants as evidence of the UK Government’s commitment to the environment of the Overseas Territories.

Mr Irranca-Davies saw himself some of the work being carried out here under the UK funded Darwin Initiative and OT Environment Programme to conserve these islands’ biodiversity – the variety of local species of plants and animals – including Cayman’s unique blue iguana and native tree nursery. He was clearly impressed – and said so in his speech at the conference, in which he also announced more money for conservation efforts in the OTs (his speech and a press release on his visit are at www.ukincayman.fco.gov.uk).

The importance of biodiversity is not well understood, for example the need to protect native species like the blue iguana, the Cayman parrot or rare orchids, and to deal with unwelcome invasive species like the lion fish or feral cats in the smaller Sister Islands. The flora and fauna not only help to define what is special about this country but also help humans in myriad practical ways. How many people know that bats play a vital role in the pollination of Cayman’s delicious mangoes?

The Cayman Islands’ new Leader of Government Business, McKeeva Bush, and Environment Minister, Mark Scotland, both made encouraging speeches about their concern for the environment at a reception I hosted for the participants.

It seems a bit of a tradition that Governors of the Cayman Islands become environmental activists. Two former Governors attended the conference – Bruce Dinwiddy and Michael Gore. Sounds to me like a good tradition which itself is worth conserving (together with the bats, iguanas and orchids).

Posted at 05:47 12 June 2009 by Stuart Jack  |  Comments[0]