The laws were first put into place in 1978 and were strengthened in 1993. In marine park zones it is illegal to take any marine life, alive or dead, except by line fishing from the shore or beyond the drop-off. Anchoring is permitted only at fixed moorings installed by the Department of Environment's Protection and Conservation unit. Lobster and conch are protected in the replenishment zones. Anchoring is permitted.
Environmental zones receive some of the strictest protection under the law.
Part of the North Sound on Grand Cayman is covered by these stringent rules in order to protect breeding areas for fish and other marine life. No-diving zones were created to protect the cultural heritage as well as the environment of the Cayman Islands. This designation marks a region as off-limits for scuba diving to protect the waters for traditional Cayman fishing. These special zones have been set aside off the north coast of Grand Cayman. Marine law also limits the amount of catch.