Page 6 - AHATA

a8 local
Friday 27 december 2024

The Lionfish

And its threat to our marine wild life

continue to reproduce and
expand to other parts of the
Atlantic, become more inva-
sive and dangerous for other
types of fish.

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

Aruba Tourism Authority honored loyal visitor at Costa Linda Beach Resort!

The Aruba Tourism Authority re- Goodwill Ambassador (20>years The top reasons for returning to
cently had the great pleasure consecutively visiting Aruba) Arubaprovided by the honoree
of recognizingGoodwill Am- Emerald Ambassador (35>years was:
bassador of Aruba. Thehonoree consecutively visiting Aruba) • Aruba’s beautiful
was respectively honored with a beaches and water
certificate for heryears of visits, The honoree was: • Aruba’s friendly and
loyalty, and love for the island of Goodwill Ambassador welcoming people- “One big
Aruba. Mrs. Chyllene Waters from Chalf- happy Island”
ont, Pennsylvania, United States. • “Great night life there is
The honorary certification is pre- always something fun to do”
sented on behalf of the Minis- Mrs. Marouska Heyligerrepre- • “Relax with family and
ter of Tourism as a token of ap- senting the Aruba Tourism Au- friends”
preciation and to say “Masha thority, and staff members of • “Great place to snorkel
Danki” to guests who have vis- Costa Linda Beach Resort be- and diving”
ited Aruba 10, 20, or 35 years or stowed the certificate upon
more consecutively. the honoree, presented her On behalf of the Aruba Tourism
with gifts, and thanked her for Authority, we would like to ex-
The threelevels of honor are as choosing Aruba as her favor- press our sincere gratitude and
follows: ite vacation destination, as her appreciation to the honoree for
Distinguished Visitor (10>years home away from home. her continued visits to the “One
consecutively visiting Aruba) Happy Island”.q