Lawford’s Bank, Cayman Islands
12th February, 2026
This morning at 4:30am (local time) we entered the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Cayman Islands.
The last twelve days have been filled with research and discovery in and around the Turks and Caicos Islands and the results have been nothing short of promising. Too many spiny lobster larvae to count (a positive sign of a healthy fishery), a newly mapped undersea Ridge and a shark photo bombing the deep sea camera. It has been a delight to get to know our Caribbean neighbours, see their islands and hear how the research from the Expedition will be applied in future marine management.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to be onboard for the full six-week Expedition – it’s meant that I’ve been able to share small island stories, build relationships and champion collaboration. While this might be the first time we’ve worked side by side to carry out ground breaking research, it definitely won’t be the last.
The science has started for Cayman at Lawford’s Bank. Water quality analysis has commenced coupled with footage from the deep sea camera (the first ever still photos from the Bank taken by yours truly!). The camera dove to just over 600m today and we discovered that Lawford’s Bank is sandy with lots of anemones, starfish, pencil urchins and interesting green fish with barbells. We’ll be leaving the other camera down for around 72 hours and I can’t wait to see what that captures!
We’re due in to George Town tomorrow morning at 8:00am which I’m now being told could be closer to Sunset House than the actual Harbour itself. Not to fret as we’ll be sharing the journey with you along the way and taking over the DoE socials for the twelve days we’re onboard.
The excitement is building and I can’t wait to see what awaits – soon come Cayman!
Follow the journey:
- DoE socials: @doecayman (Instagram and Facebook)
- DoE Youtube: @CaymanIslandsDOE
- The DoE Expedition webpage: https://doe.ky/bluebelt-expedition/
- Invitation: Port Call Party! (Governor’s Village, Village Café @ 5:30-8:00pm)
