NICE, WILLEMSTAD – The work of Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao (STCC) is gaining increasing global recognition. This week, STCC Field Director Ard Vreugdenhil was invited to speak on behalf of the island during a major United Nations ocean conference in Nice, France.
The invitation came from Sai Navoti, a senior UN official focused on the challenges faced by small island developing states like Curaçao. Navoti coordinates global strategies to support islands that are especially vulnerable to climate change and pollution.
Speaking to an international audience, Vreugdenhil highlighted the crucial role sea turtles play in Curaçao’s ecosystem and culture. “Sea turtles are bridge builders,” he said. “They connect our local community with the rest of the world, and tradition with modern science.”
Ongoing Threats
The STCC director also sounded the alarm about the daily threats faced by sea turtles around Curaçao. These include marine pollution, discarded fishing nets, coastal construction projects, and unregulated tourism—all of which endanger the survival of these ancient creatures.
A Call for Collective Action
“Conservation is not something you do alone,” Vreugdenhil told the audience. “It’s a choice we must make together—as fishers, dive operators, tourists, schools, and government.”
He also shared plans for a new Sea Turtle Rescue Center on Curaçao. The facility will care for injured sea turtles and serve as an educational hub for both children and adults, aiming to increase awareness and commitment to nature conservation.
Looking Ahead
According to Vreugdenhil, the planned rescue center will be “more than just a building.” He envisions it as a place for knowledge sharing, wildlife rehabilitation, and inspiring a new generation to care for nature.
The international recognition of Curaçao’s efforts in sea turtle conservation underscores the island’s growing leadership in environmental protection within the Caribbean region.
STCC is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their habitats around Curaçao. Through research, education, and rescue operations, the organization promotes a future where people and nature coexist in harmony.
