🚧 Activists caution against potential beach erosion from proposed 7MB dock

The Pageant Beach Hotel has submitted an application for a 10-foot wide, 138.3-foot long dock for its new resort, located in the Seven Mile Beach sand conveyor belt. This natural system plays a crucial role in preserving the beaches. However, local activist group Sustainable Cayman has expressed concerns that any disruption to this system could accelerate beach erosion, leading to further loss of this valuable resource. The erosion issues at the southern end of Seven Mile Beach are well known, as demonstrated by the situation at the Marriott hotel, which no longer has a beach and has experienced structural damage to its pool deck. 🏖️

With climate change exacerbating the impact, the Marriott and several other condo complexes along this stretch of Seven Mile Beach are witnessing increasing damage to their concrete structures. The proposed dock, located a kilometer and a half away, could worsen the resort’s existing erosion problems. Sustainable Cayman argues that the dock raises environmental, economic, social and cultural concerns that need to be assessed. In addition to potentially worsening beach erosion, the dock's construction may pose significant risks to marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs and seagrass beds that are crucial for biodiversity, coastal protection and fish nurseries. 🐠

The activist group suggests that the dock should be subject to an environmental impact assessment (EIA) before any approval is granted. If not, it recommends expanding the boundary of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to include the waters around Pageant Beach up to the dock and adjusting the Port Zone to restore MPAs that are not considered safe anchorages. Sustainable Cayman also calls for a review of the concessions granted to large-scale developments, especially in already profitable sectors, and for a formal mechanism for ongoing community engagement, including public hearings and consultations with local stakeholders. 🌊