What major action preceded the decline of the turtling industry in Cayman?

The decline of the turtling industry in the Cayman Islands was significantly influenced by the end of slavery, as this event transformed the socio-economic landscape of the region. Prior to the abolition of slavery, enslaved Africans were often used to dive for turtles, which were a crucial resource for food and trade. When slavery ended, the labor force that had supported the turtling industry was drastically altered, impacting the availability and cost of labor for turtling operations.

With the shift in the labor system, traditional methods of turtling became less viable. Additionally, the end of slavery encouraged diversification in the economy. Formerly enslaved individuals sought new opportunities, leading to a focus on other industries, such as agriculture and eventually tourism, which started gaining prominence in the Cayman Islands. This shift contributed to a decline in the once-thriving turtling industry as communities adapted to new economic realities and began to explore alternative livelihoods.

The introduction of fishing regulations, competition from foreign markets, and the development of tourism were also factors that influenced the turtling industry, but the socio-economic transformation following the end of slavery was a major catalyst in its decline.