LEX-FAOC090996

This Law makes provision for the conservation of wildlife and the environment in the Cayman Islands. It establishes the National Conservation Council and continues the Environmental Protection Fund. The Law specifies functions and powers of the Council and the Director of the Department of government responsible for the environment. The Cabinet may, after consultation with the Council, designate any area of Crown Land or Cayman waters as a protected area in accordance with this Law. The Law sets out purposes and objectives of a protected area. The Council shall determine whether the nominated area serves a purpose or objective. A management plan shall be formulated and adopted for each protected area. A management plan may contain directives consistent with the provisions of the plan for the prohibition or regulation, including management and licensing, of activities within the protected area. An area, not being Crown land, may become a conservation area by agreement between the proprietor and the Cabinet. The species of wildlife listed in Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule 1 are protected species under this Law. The Schedule may be modified in accordance with specified procedures and criteria. The Council shall formulate and adopt a conservation plan for each protected species whose range includes the Islands. In order to help prevent a species from becoming endangered or threatened, the Council may adopt specified measures. The Council may grant a permit to an applicant exempting him or her from any of the provisions of this Law. The Law also provides for enforcement and penalties. Some offences relate to fisheries.