WILLEMSTAD – On April 24, 2025, the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and CARMABI hosted a special "Open Ship" event to mark the final visit of the research vessel RV Pelagia to Curaçao. The event, which was the first officially endorsed activity of the National Decade Committee of the Kingdom of The Netherlands (NDC-NL), attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from various governments, the University of Curaçao, Aqualectra, Unique Curaçao, the Curaçao Tourism Board, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), and key researchers from Carmabi and Reef Renewal.
Dr. Manfred van Veghel, Co-chair of the NDC-NL, along with Prof. dr. Han Dolman, director of NIOZ, welcomed the attendees. The event was designed to showcase important marine research initiatives that are addressing key environmental challenges faced by the Dutch Caribbean region.
The event kicked off with presentations from two researchers funded by the NWO Caribbean. Prof. dr. Mark Vermeij, a research leader at the University of Amsterdam, shared insights into the SEALINK program. This ongoing study, now in its fourth year, is investigating human activities linked to the decline of coral reefs in Curaçao. Vermeij highlighted troubling findings, showing significant human-induced factors contributing to a decrease in coral health, as well as an increase in coral diseases.
Meanwhile, Prof. dr. Linda Amaral-Zettler, a research leader at NIOZ, provided an overview of the Weeds of Change project. This initiative focuses on the causes and effects of Sargassum seaweed blooms in the tropical Atlantic. Amaral-Zettler explained how the project is not only studying the environmental impacts of Sargassum but also fostering international cooperation. The project is hosting a "Seaweeds on Shore and at Sea" Master’s course for students from Dutch universities and Sargassum-impacted countries like Jamaica, Mexico, and Brazil. The course recently concluded a 10-day expedition in Curaçao and Bonaire waters, studying local Sargassum populations.
During the expedition, the team also visited areas severely impacted by Sargassum, including Boca Ascension and Shete Boca, following a major influx of the seaweed the previous weekend.
Looking ahead, on May 8, 2025, the next event officially endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) will take place at CARMABI: the Sargassum on Shore & at Sea – Stakeholder Workshop. This international workshop will bring together scientists, policymakers, and representatives from coastal communities across the Caribbean to discuss the challenges and potential solutions related to Sargassum blooms.
Yolanda Wiel, Communications and Marketing Officer for the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), expressed gratitude for the research efforts of NIOZ and CARMABI. “The NIOZ Sargassum research and the SeaLink program provide crucial insights into two pressing challenges: the impact of Sargassum on our coasts and the influence of land-sea interactions on coral reef health. Good science and cooperation are essential to protect nature in the Dutch Caribbean and make it future-proof.”
The event highlighted the ongoing commitment to marine research in the Dutch Caribbean and underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing environmental issues facing the region.
