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Aruba’s colors under water

ORANJESTAD — Aruba shows its diving, but soon it was clear that
true colors in a time of crisis. This something needed to be done to
statement applies to everything protect and restore the beautiful
and can be interpreted in a nega- reefs of Aruba.
tive or positive way. Here we look They recently went out to clean
at the positive side, nature’s side. both of their coral nurseries and
We can see the island is taking a were welcomed by happy coral
break, a sabbatical, a restore time, polyps! It is great to see both nurs-
a happy time. Empty beaches, eries doing so well. More coral res-
trees and plants that are not cov- toration activities are coming soon
ered by dust spreading around by from the Scubble Bubbles which
passing ATV’s and an underwater can be followed on social media.
world that is spreading its wings in
all ways. Mangroves are to be protected
The above mentioned organiza- These valuable nurseries are disap-
Several foundations and organiza- tions protect the island’s man- pearing at an alarming rate, and
tions take care of Aruba’s marine groves and create awareness on its so are the reef fish they support.
world and one of them is Aruba importance. Amid the mangroves’ It’s ironic that the mangroves be-
Reef Care Foundation. The goal tangled undersea roots, juvenile ing destroyed may be more impor-
of the project remains commu- reef fish are safe from predators tant to tourism than the shops and
nity education and the eventual until they mature and can migrate roads that replace them. Scientists
establishment of an Aruba Ma- out to populate coral reefs. Man- estimate we’ve already lost 30 to
rine Management System. Known groves are the nursery grounds for 60 percent of the world’s man-
originally as the Aruba Underwater many important fish species includ- groves. In the Caribbean the Cay-
Reef Clean-up, it was launched in ing snapper, parrotfish, and bar- man Islands is moving forward with
1994 by the initiative of Castro Per- racuda - fish that attract millions protecting these important ecosys-
ez and Byron Boekhoudt in 1993. of tourists to the Caribbean each tems with a Species Conservation
Reef rescue Network is a network year and provide food to its citi- Plan. Hopefully Aruba will follow
created to assist the creation and zens. this example.q
management of coral restoration
with organizations & businesses
throughout the world. Their goal is
working together to reverse the de-
cline of Coral Reefs throughout the
Bahamas & Caribbean. The Reef
Rescue Network partner in Aruba
is ScubbleBubbles Foundation, an
incorporated foundation in Aruba
focused on getting more local
youth involved in ocean conserva-
tion activities. It started in 2016 as
a way to get more young people

Mothers are special Share your message from home

ORANJESTAD — Mothers, (Sunday we do not have ORANJESTAD — In these difficult times
they nurture and mother, a printed newspaper). we would like to reach out to our friends
and they are the biologi- Every day is a day to abroad who were supposed to spend
cal moms, the elderly celebrate mom! Make their tropical vacation on Aruba or who
women, the mother supe- Mother’s Day last a bit had to break up their vacation due to the
rior, the stepmothers and longer this year with a COVID-19 situation. Aruba Today invites
adopted mothers. All to- surprising message in our you to send us your picture and words
gether they are the ones newspaper. expressing your memory of our island or
that take care, teach us your dream vacation for the future.
to have confidence and Send us your message at
belief in ourselves. Sun- news@arubatoday.com. Send us your picture(s) together with
day is the day we cherish q completing the sentence: Aruba to me
the mother, your mother. is …….. (Email: news@arubatoday.com).
It is Mother’s Day! Please do note: By submitting photos,
text or any other materials, you give per-
If you would like to have mission to The Aruba Today newspaper,
an extra light shining on Caribbean Speed Printers and any of its
her this special day then affiliated companies to use said mate- visit, we make new memories and go on
send a picture of your rials, as well as names, likeness, etc. for different adventures. From relaxing in a
mom or the both of you promotional purposes without compen- palapa to off-roading in the Arikok and
together with a message sation. taking a dip in the natural pool, there’s
for her. Aruba Today will Today we share a wonderful message no place else we’d rather be. We hope
make sure it will be pub- from Marc and Becky: everyone is safe and feeling well on the
lished online on Sunday island and can’t wait to return home
and in print on Monday “Aruba to me is… HOME! Each time we soon.”