Cayman Islands Designates Six Protected Areas Under 2026 Order, Plans Single-Use Plastics Ban

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NCFC Government Announces Landmark Environmental and Infrastructure Commitments

22 April 2026 | Event | By: CIG Communications

The Cayman Islands Government today announced a series of significant policy decisions that bolster environmental preservation, community infrastructure, and support long-term economic resilience.

Timed to mark Earth Day, the announcements reflect a clear and deliberate approach: coordinated work across Government to safeguard the Islands' natural environment while ensuring communities across all three islands continue to thrive.

HE Governor Owen, Premier Ebanks and Members of NCFC Government arrive in Little Cayman.

Premier Honourable André Ebanks said: "Our vision is clear: to build a stronger, fairer Cayman where sustainable development, environmental responsibility, and economic resilience go hand in hand. The steps we are taking today reflect careful thought, meaningful engagement, and our duty to deliver lasting results for the people of these Islands."

Six New Protected Areas Designated Across the Cayman Islands

Six areas across the Cayman Islands have been formally designated for protection under the National Conservation (Protected Areas) Order 2026, safeguarding a rich mix of wetlands, mangroves, coastal cays, and forest habitats.

These areas include:

• Tarpon Lake National Park (Little Cayman) – protecting important wetlands while remaining open to the public via a boardwalk
• East Interior Nature Reserve (Little Cayman) – preserving a rugged landscape of ponds, shrubland and forest with plans for walking trails
• Sand Cay (South Sound, Grand Cayman) – protecting seasonal nesting grounds for least terns while allowing responsible recreational use outside the breeding season
• Duck Pond Little Cay – protecting essential mangrove ecosystems
• Western Mangrove Cays Marine Park (North Sound, Grand Cayman) – protecting essential mangrove ecosystems
• Expanded Salina Nature Reserve (Grand Cayman) – enhancing protection for native species including the blue iguana, Cayman parrots, and migratory black crabs

Tarpon Lake in Little Cayman is now formally designated for protection under the National Conservation (Protected Areas) Order 2026.

Furthermore, Caucus has commenced the process to also designate the Cayman Brac Lighthouse and surrounding bluff – 125 acres in an historic and ecologically significant site – as protected.

Management plans for all areas will be developed and shared for public consultation before final approval.

Honourable Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, said: "I am pleased that these areas have been formally protected under the National Conservation Order 2026. These seven Protected Areas are of ecological importance to our native and visiting wildlife, and hold cultural and recreational significance for Caymanians, residents, and visitors to our beautiful islands. I know that many in our community thought that these spaces were already protected, but with the formal Protected Area status now in place, these beloved and wild corners of our islands will be restored and maintained for generations to come."

Cayman Forward: Aligning the Natural and Built Environment

In June, the Government will host Cayman Forward: Aligning the Natural and Built Environment, bringing together stakeholders from across government, industry, and community to increase collaboration, identify solutions, and inform policymaking. The forum will be facilitated by third-party experts to produce an action plan jointly owned between Government's planning and environment teams. Stakeholder consultations will take place throughout May ahead of the forum on 4 and 5 June.

Premier Ebanks said: "Our natural and built environments need, and enhance, each other — there doesn't have to be contention. Tensions between pro-development and pro-environment perspectives have been growing in recent years, polarising our community. Our goal with Cayman Forward is to find common ground, using fact-based evidence and broad stakeholder input to shape solutions that will work for the greater good of all Caymanians."

Single-Use Plastics Ban — Drafting Instructions Underway

The Government has confirmed that drafting instructions have been issued by Cabinet today to prohibit the importation of specified single-use plastics through amendments to the Customs Tariff Act and the issuance of a Customs and Border Control (Prohibited Goods) Order.

The initial phase will target eight commonly used items including small plastic grocery bags, plastic straws, and polystyrene containers. A thorough stakeholder engagement process will ensure businesses, residents, and industry partners are consulted ahead of implementation.

Minister for District Administration and Home Affairs, Honourable Nickolas DaCosta said: "Protecting our environment is fundamental to building a resilient and sustainable Cayman Islands. These changes represent a practical and long-awaited step to reduce waste, protect our marine environment and support a stronger future for our country”.

HE Governor Owen, Premier Ebanks, Members of NCFC Government and District Commissioner Mark Tibbetts at Tarpon Lake.

Future of Little Cayman Airport Confirmed

The Government has resolved in Cabinet today that Little Cayman's airfield and runway will remain in place, providing long-term certainty for residents, businesses, and stakeholders. The decision retains connectivity, access to critical services, and economic activity for the island's community, while reflecting the Government's commitment to preserving the natural and cultural character that makes the Sister Islands distinctive.

Premier Ebanks said: "We are committed to ensuring that every community has access to the infrastructure and services it needs to thrive. This decision reinforces the Government's vision of a stronger, fairer Cayman, where investment and development decisions are guided by inclusivity, sustainability, and long-term benefit. Confirming the future of the Little Cayman airfield provides certainty for residents and businesses, while preserving the unique character that makes the Sister Islands so special."

Minister DaCosta said: “The Edward Bodden Airfield is both a critical piece of infrastructure and an important part of Little Cayman's history. The community has been clear about wanting it to remain in its current location, and the NCFC government has listened.”

A Stronger, Fairer Cayman

Together, these commitments reflect the Government's broader vision of a Cayman that is environmentally resilient, economically sustainable, and fair to every community across the three islands.

Premier Ebanks said: "Earth Day is a timely reminder of what is at stake. These initiatives are about our people and the future we are building together. We will continue to take deliberate, responsible action to preserve our environment, enhance our communities, and ensure that every Caymanian can thrive in a country that remains resilient, sustainable, and unmistakably our own."

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Agriculture, Environment & Natural Resources Press Release Ministry of Health, Environment & Sustainability (MHES)