Adaptive Governance: The proposed port expansion in the Cayman Islands and its impacts to coral reefs

Abstract

Increasingly, governments are implementing infrastructure modernization projects that expand shallow water ports adjacent to coral reefs. Preliminary evidence suggests port expansion causes significant coral mortality. Supporters argue that without such projects, economic competitiveness, job numbers, and revenue streams will decline. The Cayman Islands are proceeding with a controversial port expansion project that has escalated into a major environmental policy dispute, triggering an unprecedented people’s-initiated referendum. This paper analyzes this policy dispute, asking how coral reef governance is changing because of the proposed port expansion in the Cayman Islands? This research finds evidence for adaptive Caymanian governance occurring in four ways. First, the port dispute is causing Caymanian institutions to be significantly changed by both pro- and anti-port stakeholders. Second, because of institutional changes, space for private companies to impact decision-making is increasing, contested by civil society. Third, non-state actors, such as civil society and the private sector, are significantly shaping public discourse. Fourth, participatory democratic processes, led by civil society, are emerging in new ways. In environmental policy contexts, changes in governance can include changing institutions and expanded participation opportunities for stakeholders. There is a tacit assumption that such changes are positive normative transformations in government. The Cayman Islands port dispute shows that increased stakeholder participation in decision-making may unintentionally allow outsized roles for private interests to erode institutions and undermine public policy. A robust and active civil society can contest these changes, unlocking democratic inroads to influence decision-making.