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A9
LOCAL Thursday 9 OcTOber 2025
The Lionfish and its threat to our marine wild life

and dangerous for other
types of fish.

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

Ayo Rock Formation gets a new look highlighting cultural and

natural heritage

(Oranjestad)—The Aruba Tourism Authority plant identification and pictograph interpre-
(A.T.A.), in collaboration with what was former- tation. The signs also present geological data,
ly known as the Aruba Amenities Committee providing information and stories about Aruba’s
(AAC), has completed an initiative consisting natural rock formations and its past.
of two new trails with their own signage at Ayo
Rock Formation. The goal is to enrich the visitor The content was developed in collaboration
experience at the site while preserving its natu- with CAMIA, a heritage-based organization, to
ral and cultural value. ensure depth and cultural accuracy. In the fu-
ture, work will continue to further improve the
overall experience, including maintenance of
the restrooms and gazebos.

The trails are ready to be explored! A.T.A. invites
everyone, locals and visitors alike, to learn, re-
flect, and enjoy Ayo Rock Formation while help-
ing preserve the site for future generations.q

The initiative introduces two themed trails:
The Explorer’s Trail – “A Stroll Thru Time”;
The Muser’s Trail – “Semper un Bida Dushi.”

Each trail features signs with historical and cul-
tural information in Papiamento and English.
Additional translations in Spanish and Dutch
are available through QR codes on the signs.
The content on the signs is interactive, including