We have three main areas of concern for Cayman: the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the country and its people. The proposed cruise berthing facility will affect all three of these areas, and we are dedicated to making sure that all people understand the likely impact of such a project.
Social
QUALITY OF LIFE
CPR is concerned about how the quality of life of those who live here, both as a facility is being built and after it is in use, would be affected.
CARRYING CAPACITY
In order to pay for the cruise terminal, passenger numbers may need to increase to 3 to 4 million per year to repay the financiers of the project. The Department of Tourism estimates that a limit of 2.1 million cruise passengers is necessary “to maintain the delicate equilibrium between cruise and overnight tourism”.
TRAFFIC
How would traffic congestion, overcrowding, disruptions to cargo operations, pollution and the safety of those that live in downtown George Town be handled effectively while accommodating so many people?
OVERCROWDING
Areas such as George Town, Seven Mile Beach, Stingray City and other key visitor attractions are already at capacity with our current passenger numbers. If we are overflowing our tourist attractions, how exactly will the lives of those that live here be affected?
the Social Impact
Economic
CAN WE AFFORD IT?
The 2019 cruise pier proposal would have cost in excess of CI $200 million and Cayman would have paid the financiers over $400 million for it, over 25 years incl. interest. Cayman has higher priority infrastructure and social investment needs.
WE WILL PAY
Government projects are notorious for exceeding budget by millions of dollars; which citizens will bear the cost of this?
SUSTAINABILITY
We acknowledge that heightened tourism is a money-maker, and we accept the fact that tourism is an essential part of our economy. However, Caymanian tourism has been built for decades on the natural beauty of Cayman.
IRREVERSIBILITY
As tourism morphs, what will Cayman transform into as the market demand is pulled toward the cruise boat facility and our environment begins to die?
the Economic Impact
Environmental
CORAL DESTRUCTION
The destruction of our coral reefs is not an if; the government has admitted that there would be an impact to our environment. Over 12 acres of coral reefs would be destroyed as well as significant deterioration of coral reef health at popular snorkel and dive sites surrounding the harbour.
DREDGING
Over 22 acres of the seabed would be dredged.
Silt and Sedimentation from dredging would smother surrounding coral reefs and permanently transform our now crystal clear aquamarine waters to murky white.
EXECUTION OF THE GOOSE THAT LAYS THE GOLDEN EGGS
If the government is concerned about enhancing tourism, they would be destroying the most precious money-making machine they have, and with it, a Caymanian ecosystem.
the Environmental Impact
