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LOCAL Friday 8 March 2024

Planning on snorkeling? Get to know our Picuda!

(Oranjestad)—If you’re that of mullet or conefish.
ever planning on snorkel- This reflects the hunting
ing during your vacation style of the Picuda. It needs
on Aruba, you may spot to be able to accelerate
fish that you can’t recog- quickly when the prey gets
nize. One of these may be close.
the “Picuda”, a very com-
mon fish that swims all year In Aruba:
long in the waters of Aruba. Picuda can be found in our
Here’s some information waters around our island
about the beloved Picuda. throughout the year. Picu-
da, in our waters, is edible
Let's talk about the names without any problem. Picu-
of fish. Do you know your da is also a highly sought-
fish? This is an informative after fish by sports fishermen
article that illustrate some or recreational fishermen
fish and their names in Pa- because it puts up a good
piamento, which the De- fight once hooked. It can
partment of Agriculture, be caught via trolling from
Livestock and Fisheries, is Sphyraena barracuda. It its white flesh in fish soup. with shiny black stripes. a boat, casting from shore
known as “Santa Rosa”, is a widely caught fish. It is In fishing culture, there are Below, that is, the belly, is with a line or rod, or by jig-
wants to share and also found throughout the year many other names, such as whiter, while the top part ging, casting the lure (ar-
obtain information from the in our waters, where it is a Pecho blanco, Blekito, Ba- is darker. Its snout is very tificial bait) and moving it
public. so-called "ambush preda- nana, or Bleki. The names pointed, and the lower jaw with certain rod motions.q
tor" that stays still or floats vary according to size. is longer than the upper
Picuda, Sphyraena barra- in the water waiting for one. Its peduncle, where Picture courtesy of the De-
cuda, Greater Barracuda its prey to approach so it Description the body meets the tail, partment of Agriculture, Live-
Well known is the Picuda on can attack it with lightning The Picuda is a long fish, is thick, while the tail also stock and Fisheries.
the island—Barracuda in speed. It is well known for with a round body like a forms a crescent but in this
English. Its scientific name fishermen, especially for torpedo and silver in color case one more "full" than

Aruba’s most family-friendly beaches

(Oranjestad)—One of the biggest concerns that
parents have when travelling with their children
is a guarantee of their safety and healthy
enjoyment. Therefore, we thought it would be
a great help to travelling parents to list off some
the most family-friendly beaches around the
island.

Baby Beach in San Nicolas
Baby Beach is one Aruba’s most popular and
visited beaches, and for good reason: This sandy
and quiet lagoon is a great place for parents to
sit back and relax while their children play in the
shallow shores of the beach. Beside the relaxing
atmosphere, there are also several services that
may accommodate your stay, like a parking lot,
sun tent rentals, chairs, bathrooms and a snack
bar right at the far left of the beach.

Mangel Halto in Pos Chiquito
Mangel Halto is situated in the back streets of
the Pos Chiquito city. Though there are several
stairs on the sides of the beach cliff leading you
down, the best spot for families to hang out is
across the bridge, passed the mangrove trees rise hotel areas, these beaches are the most and have a little picnic. This is also one of the
near the entrance sign. Here, there are small accessible for visitors on foot. These beaches best places to snorkel, as this area is filled with
and big palapas, perfect for big and small also offer many palapas free to use, but you little fish and corals, even close to the shore.
families to set up their belongings. In this area, can also rent chairs and tents. Much like Baby
the shore is also shallow, falling right around your Beach, these sites are one of the best beaches Palm Island
knee before slowly getting deeper: perfect for for your children to play and build sand castles. Ok, this one is technically not a beach, but a
kids to safely play. must-visit attraction for family fun. This small
Boca Catalina in Malmok water park oasis is located further down the
Eagle Beach/Palm Beach in the hotel area Boca Catalina is a small bay beach near the Mangel Halto Beach and is reachable by boat.
Yet another highly popular beach site, Eagle Malmok beach area further down the hotel This water park offers 6 hours of fun activities,
Beach and Palm Beach is where most of our areas. Though it may not be a very sandy food, drinks, and a chance to see pink
visitors go to tan, swim or play in the white sand. beach, it is relatively quiet and tranquil. This is a flamingoes up close! q
Because they are near the low-rise and high- great place for family to lay down a big blanket