WILLEMSTAD - On Monday, January 22, the Caribbean Research & Management of Biodiversity (Carmabi) Foundation welcomed twenty-five policymakers from the Kingdom Climate Agenda working group. The working group is in Curaçao to devise concrete solutions for the climate agenda.
Participants in this four-country meeting (Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Aruba, and the Netherlands, including Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba) visited the Curaçao Reef Mangrove Park in Otrobanda and Carmabi's Science Center at Piscadera. Rangers from the Mangrove Park and scientists provided a tour, discussing the current impact of climate change in Curaçao and outlining actions needed to preserve vital Curaçaoan ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs.
The Mangrove Park offers the local population and tourists a unique opportunity to observe this exceptional ecosystem up close. Mangroves play a crucial role in protecting the coastline from erosion, acting as nurseries for many coral reef fish and preventing sediment from reaching the vulnerable reef during rainfall. With less frequent but more intense rainfall and an increase in stronger storms and hurricanes due to climate change, the role of mangroves becomes increasingly significant.
On a Kingdom level, agreements have been established for nature conservation in the Caribbean, including through the 'Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife,' commonly known as the SPAW Protocol. This protocol oversees the protection of vital components such as seagrasses, mangroves, corals, and parrotfish. In discussions with the working group, Carmabi presented current examples, emphasizing the need for enhanced efforts to protect these endangered species, as their populations are currently declining rapidly.
The recent coral bleaching that severely damaged the coral reefs surrounding Curaçao over the past few months serves as an illustration of the consequences of climate change. Prolonged sea temperatures exceeding 29 degrees Celsius in 2023 caused many corals to bleach and starve. While some corals are recovering as temperatures decrease, the damage to the coral reef remains substantial. Research indicates that parrotfish can play a crucial positive role in promoting natural recovery.
Carmabi aims to support organizations and initiatives contributing to the protection and sustainable management of ecosystems on and around Curaçao. The organization has offered its assistance to the working group in establishing improved nature management on the islands.