• About Us
    • About DOE
    • Boards and Committees
    • Sections
    • Complaints
    • Staff
    • Visiting Scientist Program
  • Resources
    • Public Moorings
    • Brochures, Applications, Permits
    • Publications, Reports
    • Teachers
    • Freedom of Information
    • Newsletters
    • DOE TV
  • Conservation laws
    • CITES
    • Marine Park Regulations, Maps
    • National Conservation Law
  • Marine
    • Marine Parks
    • Coral Reefs
    • SCTLD
    • Fishing Line Disposal
    • Grouper
    • Whales and Dolphins
    • Sharks
    • Conch
    • Lionfish (Invasive)
    • Turtles
  • Terrestrial
    • Terrestrial Resources Unit
    • Protect our Parrots
    • Protected Areas
    • Habitats
    • Fauna (Animals)
    • Flora (Plants)
    • Dangerous Animals
    • Dangerous Plants
    • Invasive Species
  • Env. Management
    • Environmental Management Unit
    • Coastal Works
    • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
    • Best Practices & Guides
    • Climate Change Consultations
    • Carbon Footprint
    • DOE EMS – Environmental Management System
    • Sustainability
  • Nat’l Conserv. Council
    • Members
    • Council Manual
    • National Conservation Law
    • Protected Area Management Plans
    • Proposed Species Conservation Plans
    • Protected Area Proposals
    • General Meetings
  • Home
  • Environmental Management
  • Best Practices & Guides
  • Mangrove Trimming Guidance

Mangrove Trimming Guidance

  • Environmental Management Unit
    • SDU Annual Report-2015
    • SDU Annual Report-2014
    • SDU Annual Report-2013
  • Coastal Works
    • Applying for a Coastal Works Permit
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
    • EIA Process
    • EIA Screening Opinions
    • EIA Examples
      • Cruise Berthing Facility
      • OTEC Facility
    • Public Consultation
    • EIA FAQs
  • Best Practices & Guides
    • Artificial Ponds
    • Mangrove Trimming Guidance
    • Energy Saving Checklist
    • Reduce Your Office Footprint
  • Climate Change Consultations
  • Carbon Footprint
  • DOE EMS – Environmental Management System
  • Sustainability
Mangrove Trimming Guidelines

These guidelines are intended to assist coastal property owners in identifying, trimming and altering mangrove trees in a manner that will:

  • provide a view or navigational access;
  • protect valuable mangrove resources, and
  • be in compliance with the National Conservation Law (2013) & Mangrove Conservation Plan (2020).

Cayman has three native species of mangroves: red, black and white and two native varieties of buttonwood: silver and green. All of these trees are protected under the National Conservation Law (2013) and the Mangrove Conservation Plan (2020). While these trees can grow in freshwater, their physiological adaptations to life in saltwater allow them to thrive and outcompete other freshwater species. Each species responds differently to trimming; information on the identification and trimming tolerances of these species is provided in this guidance.

Many property owners trim mangroves along their shorelines to obtain or enhance their view of the water. Unfortunately, if not done properly, trimming can harm or kill the mangroves. While this might maximize a view, many people do not realise that killing or harming mangroves can have many unintended adverse consequences to the benefits mangroves provide, including:

  • Habitat for marine food webs;
  • Assist with maintaining and improving the quality of our coastal waters;
  • Their roots and trunks help prevent shoreline erosion, and
  • Protection of homes and property from severe wind damage.

Within the Cayman Islands, mangrove loss has been so extensive over recent decades that their National Red List Status as of 2008 lists Red Mangrove as Near Threatened, Black Mangrove as Endangered and both White Mangrove and Buttonwood as Vulnerable. Mangroves and Buttonwood are listed under Schedule 1 Part 2 of the National Conservation Law, 2013. Please note, if your property is located in a Mangrove Buffer Zone (Development Plan, 1997), you may require planning permission to conduct trimming.

  Mangrove Trimming Guidelines

To read the full  Mangrove Conservation Plan (2020), visit the National Conservation Council’s website at www.conservation.ky.

Follow Us

DoE Instagram
DoE Cayman Islands Coral Watch FB
Iguana Cull Updates
Sharks & Cetaceans

Newsletters Signup

  • Flicker Newsletter
    Click link to read issues

Information

Address:

Cayman Islands Environmental Centre
580 North Sound Road
George Town, Grand Cayman
Mail Address:

Department of Environment
PO Box 10202, KY1-1002
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Mon to Fri

Telephone: (345) 949-8469
Fax: (345) 949-4020
Email: [email protected]
Copyright © 2021 Cayman Islands Environmental Centre                            Website Design: Global Identities LLC