WILLEMSTAD – Clean seawater, healthy mangroves and resilient coral reefs are not only important for nature. They are also essential for people who live, work and spend their leisure time in Curaçao, as well as for the island’s economy. Ultimately, what happens to Curaçao’s natural environment affects everyone. That was the central message during a working visit by Members of Parliament to CARMABI on Friday.
During the visit, MPs were shown how Curaçao’s terrestrial and marine environments are interconnected. Activities on land can eventually affect coastal waters, mangroves and coral reefs.
Wastewater and other forms of pollution, for example, do not simply disappear. When pollutants reach the sea, they can affect coastal water quality and damage marine ecosystems. According to CARMABI, this means it is not enough to restore damaged ecosystems after the fact. Whenever possible, the causes of environmental degradation must also be addressed at their source.
The central message was that a healthy living environment and healthy ecosystems require less pollution, effective protection of important natural areas and sustained attention to their management.
Seeing What Is Happening in Nature
The visit began at CARMABI’s Marine Education Center, where discussions focused on environmental education and the importance of helping children and adults understand how Curaçao’s ecosystems function and why people depend on them.
The MPs then visited the Curaçao Rif Mangrove Park, where they learned about the importance of mangroves and saw how CARMABI is working to restore and manage the area.
The delegation subsequently visited CARMABI’s research institute, where scientists conduct research on Curaçao’s coral reefs and monitor changes in the natural environment over extended periods.
Scientific Director Mark Vermeij showed the parliamentarians how Curaçao’s coral reefs have changed since 1973 and discussed possible developments through 2045. Particular attention was given to an important question: which of the causes affecting Curaçao’s reefs can be addressed locally?
A Healthy Reef Starts on Land
According to CARMABI, understanding this connection is essential.
“A healthy reef starts on land,” CARMABI Director Manfred van Veghel said. “If we want to protect our sea and coral reefs, we also have to look at what happens on land. We can restore damaged ecosystems, but if we do not address the causes, we will always be one step behind. That is why reducing pollution, protecting nature and proper management must go hand in hand.”
The management of Curaçao’s nature parks was also discussed. CARMABI stressed that designating an area as protected does not mean the work is finished.
Natural areas require continued maintenance and monitoring, as well as supervision and proper management of visitors. All of this requires time, personnel and financial resources.
Why This Matters for Curaçao
Curaçao’s natural environment is an integral part of daily life on the island. Residents swim and spend recreational time in the sea, people earn their livelihoods in coastal areas, and Curaçao’s attractiveness is closely connected to its beaches, sea and natural environment.
Nature conservation, therefore, is not only about protecting coral, fish or mangroves. It is also about deciding what kind of environment Curaçao wants for its residents and what the island intends to leave behind for future generations.
CARMABI emphasized that it cannot carry this responsibility alone. The organization conducts scientific research, monitors environmental changes, provides nature education and manages several protected areas.
The government has separate responsibilities involving infrastructure, legislation, enforcement, waste and water management. Businesses and other organizations also have a role to play.
From Knowledge to Action
The working visit was therefore intended to do more than show MPs what is happening in Curaçao’s natural environment. Discussions also focused on what is already known, what information is still lacking and where further action is necessary.
For CARMABI, scientific research should not remain on a shelf but should be used to support better policy decisions for Curaçao.
The organization’s message is that Curaçao can only effectively protect what it understands. Ultimately, protecting nature is not only about preserving ecosystems themselves, but also about protecting the people who live in Curaçao today and the generations that will follow.