Public Survey on Fishing Practices and Proposed Policy Changes

The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES) is inviting residents to take part in a public survey on fishing practices and opinions regarding a proposed policy to limit fishing by non-Caymanians, with limited exceptions. The survey will be open until 9 January 2026.

MHES, together with the Department of Environment (DoE), is conducting the survey to better understand how people fish in the Cayman Islands and how they view any potential changes to regulations. The findings will help inform the drafting of relevant legislation and identify any potential issues that could affect implementation or enforcement.

The survey is available at PublicConsultation.gov.ky, or in person at community survey booths that will be set up at key public locations across all three Islands on selected Fridays and Saturdays during the survey period. Booths will be located at supermarkets across Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.

·         Friday 14 November, 3:00pm–6:00pm: Foster’s Camana Bay

·         Saturday 29 November, 9:00am–12:00pm: Foster’s Airport

·         Saturday 29 November, 9:00am–12:00pm: Foster’s Republix

·         Friday 5 December, 12:00pm–3:00pm: AL Thompson’s (Main Entrance)

·         Friday 19 December, 12:00pm–3:00pm: Hurley’s

·         Friday 19 December, 3:00pm–6:00pm: Foster’s Countryside

·         Friday 9 January, 12:00pm–3:00pm: Kirk Market

·         Village Square (Little Cayman):  January 2026, date and time to be determined

·         Kirkconnell’s Market (Cayman Brac): January 2026, date and time to be determined

Minister of Health, Environment and Sustainability Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said the survey reflects Government’s commitment to inclusive and community-based policymaking.

“Fishing is part of Cayman’s culture, economy, and way of life,” the Minister said. “While the Ministry works behind the scenes to determine the most effective legislative framework to affect these changes and develop the proposed permitting system, we want to ensure that residents’ views are heard and that decisions are guided by accurate information and broad public input.”
All responses will be kept anonymous, and will be used internally as an evidence-base to inform legislative changes and implementation.

For more information on the survey, including dates and booth locations, visit the MHES and DOE social media channels (Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn).