WILLEMSTAD/GREAT BAY--Curaçao has donated three Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs) to St. Maarten as part of efforts to further develop the local fishing sector and strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
The donation came following a request from Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Martin. The three FADs were manufactured in Curaçao and are expected to arrive in St. Maarten on Friday.
Fish Aggregation Devices are floating structures placed in the sea to attract fish, making it easier for fishermen to locate productive fishing areas. The devices are designed to support fishing activities by improving access to areas where fish are known to gather.
The donated FADs are equipped with lighting, radar reflectors and an Automatic Identification System (AIS), which helps make them visible to ships and improves safety at sea.
A team of experts from Curaçao is expected to travel to St. Maarten to work together with a local team to install the three devices in designated areas.
The donation of the three Fish Aggregation Devices also aligns with Minister Heyliger-Marten’s previously stated commitment to strengthening St. Maarten’s agriculture, fisheries and food security sectors. The Minister has repeatedly emphasized that reducing dependency on imported food and creating stronger local production capacity must become a national priority.
When taking office, Heyliger-Marten stated that agriculture had not received the attention it deserved and pledged that the sector would not simply receive words, but concrete support. She has since engaged farmers and sector stakeholders, including visits to local farms to better understand their challenges and identify ways to build a more functional structure to support agriculture and fisheries development.
The Minister has also highlighted the connection between local food production, economic resilience and national security. Her ministry has been working on initiatives aimed at strengthening the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (ALF) sector, including improving support structures for farmers, encouraging entrepreneurship and exploring regional cooperation to increase food security.
The initiative also provides an opportunity for knowledge exchange between the two countries regarding fisheries management and sustainable fishing practices.
Curaçao has implemented similar initiatives in its own waters, placing several FADs in recent years. According to information from Curaçao media, a total of 23 FADs are expected to be installed around Curaçao during 2025 and 2026.
The donation forms part of ongoing cooperation between St. Maarten and Curaçao aimed at supporting the fishing sector and creating additional opportunities for local fishermen.
Source: According to Curaçao media.
Photo: Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger-Marten and Prime Minister of Curacao Gilmar "Pik" Pisas.
