WILLEMSTAD - Last Friday, a delegation of members of different Latin American parliaments (united in Parlatino) visited the research station of Carmabi in Piscadera.
Parlatino is an advising organ and consists of representatives of almost all countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The parliament works with committees in which they congregate and in which advice for legislation is composed. During the visit, members of the committees “Nature & Tourism” and “Health” were present with members of the parliament from countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Cuba and Brazil.
Several years ago, the government of Curacao, together with Carmabi and local lawyers, wrote framework legislation for the protection of marine ecosystems in Latin America, which has already been adopted by Parlatino. This framework legislation obliges countries to take better measures for the protection of coral reefs, mangroves and sea grasses. During the visit of this week, Dr. Mark Vermeij, head of the Research department of Carmabi, informed the parliament members about the research that takes place at Carmabi. Research, which can contribute to an improvement of the management measures in the region, such as the renowned coral larvae’s program and the genetic enrichment of coral populations by means of freezing coral DNA in the same way this is done with agricultural crops. In the presentation, Dr. Mark Vermeij also focused on the important functions of coral reefs en the contribution these ecosystems make to local economies. (~$430 milion, in the case of Curacao, by means of Tourism and Fishing).
Besides that, the importance of durable coast development, preventing overfishing and reducing water pollution were emphasized as important factors that contribute to the decline of reefs and therewith their considerable economic value. Subsequently, there was spoken about the local problems in the countries the parliament members represent, followed by a tour through the Carmabi laboratories.
Carmabi serves as science institute for the protection, reproduction and knowledge of corals and provides information to Latin American and Caribbean countries, which they can use to take measures to contribute to the sustainable use and protection of the natural resources in their waters.
