Page 10 - AHATA

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local Wednesday 24 september 2025

The Lionfish and its threat to our marine

wild life

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

Enjoy one of the best views on Aruba at the top of the Hooiberg

Hill

(Oranjestad)—If you are consisted of 900 steps.
a regular hiker, or may- Over time, as the steps
be want to spice up your faced erosion, the govern-
morning work out session, ment decided to renovate
then you might enjoy one these stairs in 1991. This
of the most popular climb- new project delivered the
ing sites on the island: The newer staircase with only
Hooiberg Hill. 587 steps. However, don’t
be fooled it may still be a
Accompanied with a 600- work out to get on top. In
step staircase, this hill over- addition, there is now a
looks a great part of the gazebo placed halfway
island, the Caribbean sea, up the stair for a little rest.
and sometimes even the The view at this resting stop
Santa Anna mountain lo- is also a sight to see.
cated in the coastal state
of Falcon in Venezuela, The best time to climb the
providing one of the best hill would be early in the
views you can get on Aru- morning or right before
ba. located at the center sunset, as it may not be as
district of the island, Santa on the island at 165 meters manota Hill at 189 meters the side of the hill was first hot. However, the hill is of
Cruz, the Hooiberg Hill is above sea level (or about (620 feet), located in the built in 1951, when Mr. Edu- course open all day, every
the second highest point 540 feet above sea level). Arikok National Park. ardo Tromp constructed it. day.q
The highest point is Ja- The staircase that run on At that time, the staircase