The invertebrate marine fauna include – besides the many corals – giant barrel sponges and Caribbean reef squid, as well as creatures that are threatened by overfishing such as the spiny lobster and the queen conch. Common Caymanian fish include tarpon, silversides and French angelfish, and the islands’ waters are frequented by cetaceans such as the sperm whale, goose-beaked whale and Blainville’s beaked whale. All three Cayman Islands are also home to important nesting areas for hawksbill, loggerhead and green turtles. Tracking studies have shown that, between breeding seasons, turtles faithful to these nesting sites range to foraging areas along the Central American coast between Mexico and Nicaragua. |