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Laws and Regulations are enacted to protect our natural resources. Though these laws are local in scope, they are often informed by international consensus on the best conservation methods available. From local legislation implementing Multilateral Environmental Agreements, like CITES, to our Marine Parks Regulations, the Cayman Islands has a variety of laws and policies. All are designed and implemented for the preservation of Cayman’s Natural Environment and everyone should make themselves aware of them.

Lobsters

• Closed season: 1 March through 30 November. No one may take, purchase, receive or possess lobster from Cayman waters.
• Catch limit: Three per person or six per boat per day, whichever is less.
• Size limit: Six inch tail minimum size.
• Only spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) may be taken.

Conch

• Closed season: 1 May through 31 October. No one may take, purchase, receive or possess conch from Cayman waters.
• Catch limit: Five per person or ten per boat per day, whichever is less.
• No one may purchase or receive more than five conch from Cayman waters in any one day.

Whelks

• Closed season: 1 May through 31 October. No one may take, purchase, receive or possess whelk from Cayman waters.
• Catch limit: Two-and-a-half gallons in the shell or two-and-a-half pounds of processed whelks.
• No one may purchase or receive more than two-and-a-half gallons in the shell or two-and-a-half pounds of processed whelks from Cayman waters in any one day.
• Chitons, periwinkles and bleeding teeth may not be taken from Cayman waters at any time.

Echinoderms

• Echinoderms (includes starfish, sea eggs/urchins, sea cucumbers, sand dollars, etc.) may not be taken from Cayman waters at any time.

Nassau Groupers

• Size Limit: Twelve inch minimum size limit applies throughout Cayman waters year round EXCEPT:
• Designated Grouper Spawning Areas are protected.
• No one may take Nassau grouper from any of the Designated Grouper Spawning Areas.
• No one may spearfish or set a fish-pot within a one-mile radius of any Designated Grouper Spawning Area from 1 November through 31 March.

Turtles

• No one may disturb, molest or take turtles in Cayman waters without a licence from the Marine Conservation Board.
• Possession of turtle eggs is prohibited.
• For licensed fishermen, closed season runs from 1 April through 30 November.

Sharks

• No one may feed, attempt to feed or provide or use food to attract any shark in Cayman waters.

Other Fish

• Protected fish: Jewfish, tilefish (whities), filefish (pipers) and angelfish, including Grey, French and Queen angels (old monks), may not be taken from Cayman waters at any time.
• Size limit: Eight-inch minimum size on all other fish except goggle eyes, herrings (including sprats), anchovies and silversides (including loggerhead and fine fry).

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Source: Department of Environment