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See that beautiful image of a reef scene in the Cayman Islands? Well, that reef might not be there next year.

The Caymanian government has confirmed plans to build a massive cruise ship dock, which many environmentalists claim will have a devastating impact on the island’s iconic reefs.   

“The decision to be made is not whether we want to build cruise berthing, it is whether we want to remain in the cruise business in any significant way,” Caymanian Premier Alden Mclaughlin confirmed this week, hoping the port will bring in more cruise ship business.

Per a environmental impact report released in June, the dredging process to built the port will destroy 15 acres of coral reef, and likely also harm another 20 acres. In this area you can find 26 species of coral, including two critically endangered species and four threatened ones.

“It was not unexpected, but I think it is a sad day for the country,” Keith Sahm, a leader of the Save Cayman anti-port campaign, told Yahoo. “Once they do this, there is no turning back.”

We hope the government will reverse their decision and you can find more info on the Save Cayman Facebook page.