Page 15 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Thursday 19 June 2025

The Lionfish

And its threat to our marine wild life

of their diet. In other words,
the lionfish has no predators
in the Caribbean Sea. And
this becomes a major prob-
lem for our local marine life;
if there are no predators to
stimulate population con-
trol of lionfish, these fish can
continue to reproduce and
expand to other parts of the
Atlantic, become more inva-
sive and dangerous for other Sea. It is theorized that the in- we have people like van
types of fish. troduction of these fish in the Brakel who dedicate their
Atlantic happened in Florida, lives hunting and capturing
For Aruba, the lionfish is a where people would buy li- these invasive species, using
problem especially for our onfish from across the world them for consumption and
local coral reefs. Accord- to keep in their aquariums. jewelry making.
ing to Patrick van Brakel, li- However, lionfish grow, and
onfish expert and hunter from as these buyers realized that They are caught with a
the Hunting Lionfish Aruba the fish were too much up- hand spear, an object re-
(Oranjestad)—Despite its a relatively small fish. It has foundation, every reef has keep, they were let out into sembling a garbage picker
colorful and striking ap- no teeth, but it does protect a “cleaning station”—tiny the ocean to roam free. From with 4 sharp prongs. These
pearance, the lionfish has itself against predators using fish that eat algae and other continental USA, the lionfish spears are used like a sling
become a Caribbean-wide its sharp, colorful spikes. It is types of waste on a reef, thus travelled to and invaded the shot to catch lionfish from a
problem for Atlantic sea life. said that the sting of a lion- maintaining the reef’s health entire Caribbean area, from distance. These fish are then
The Aruban marine wild life is fish can be up to 100 times and providing food to the fish Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao put into a collecting tube
also affected by this beautiful more painful than that of a population in the area. How- up to New York. In Aruba, and taken out of the water.
dilemma, as it is foreign to bee’s sting. ever, as the lionfish feeds off lionfish were discovered in Van Brakel not only catches
our waters and has become of these tiny fish, it becomes 2009. them himself, but also cooks
a danger to our local fish and Its natural predators in the harder for the coral reef to them for locals and tourists at
reefs. Indo-Pacific are sharks and maintain its health. Controlling the lionfish popu- The LionFish Snack Aruba in
barracudas, but in the Carib- lation is challenge, as each Paradera. This way, he does
Originating from the Indo- bean Sea, local fish do not Patrick also shares the origins female fish can lay up to his part in protecting the lo-
Pacific Ocean, the lionfish is recognize the lionfish as part of lionfish in the Caribbean 40,000 eggs a day. Luckily, cal wild life. q

Prohibited by law: leaving the island with seashells,

white sand or corals

Conforming to the interna- it is suspected that our own to a negative reaction which ing these from local sellers or
tional treaty of CITES and our locals are the ones selling can put our tourism in a neg- companies.
local law which protects our these to the tourists, which ative light.
Flora & Fauna, it is absolutely is unacceptable. Though we love to accom- We want our future genera-
prohibited to take any sea- modate our visitors, let’s all tions and visitors to enjoy the
(Oranjestad)—Often times, shell, sand and coral outside Upon confiscation at the give nature the respect it beauty of our beaches, shells
the customs department at of Aruba. This is to protect airport, you can also face a deserves by protecting our and corals in a sustainable
the airport intercepts many our environment. The high fine that they have to pay environment. Stop collect- way, without destroying or
tourists leaving the island number of seashells, coral before leaving. This is surely ing seashells, white sand disrupting the Aruban eco-
with seashells, white sand and amount of sand con- not a pleasant experience and corals from our shores system. Help us protect what
and/or corals as souvenirs. fiscated is very strange and for the tourist. This also leads and stop buying or accept- is ours!q