GREAT BAY--St. Maarten has taken a significant step toward strengthening its fisheries industry with the deployment of its first two Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), designed to improve access to offshore fishing grounds, reduce operating costs for local fishers and support the country's food security. The devices, donated by the Government of Curaçao, were deployed on Wednesday, September 23, through an initiative led by the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT).
The deployment was coordinated through the Department of Economy, Transportation and Telecommunication (ETT) and represents a new approach to supporting the island's fishing community. The devices are intended to attract large migratory fish species, including tuna, mahi-mahi and wahoo, allowing fishermen to locate productive fishing grounds more efficiently instead of spending extended periods searching offshore.
By concentrating fish in identifiable offshore locations, the FADs could help reduce fuel consumption, lower fishing expenses and improve the reliability of catches. The initiative is also intended to ease fishing pressure on sensitive nearshore reef ecosystems by creating additional opportunities for fishing farther offshore.
The Government of Curaçao donated three FADs to St. Maarten, of which two were deployed during the September operation. The donation was accompanied by technical guidance and hands-on assistance from Curaçao's fisheries department, including support during preparations and the actual deployment.
Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger-Marten expressed appreciation to Curaçao Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, the Government of Curaçao and fisheries department representative Faisel Dilrosun and his team for their contributions to the initiative.
The Minister also recognized the assistance of Roche Lesperance and the crew of the vesselBlessing, along with Garth Styne and the Maritime School of the West Indies, whose involvement helped facilitate the safe deployment of the equipment.
According to the Ministry, the devices incorporate environmentally responsible materials and GPS-tracked electronic buoys that allow their positions to be monitored. Their deployment locations were selected in consultation with local fishers and the Nature Foundation, with the necessary coordination and approvals involving Maritime Affairs and the Bureau Telecommunications and Post St. Maarten (BTP).
Following the deployment, TEATT, supported by technical personnel from Curaçao, organized an information session with local fishermen to explain the initiative and discuss the use of the devices.
The Ministry reported that it has already received positive feedback from members of the fishing community regarding the performance of the FADs. Although detailed catch and operating-cost data have not been provided, the initial feedback is being viewed as an encouraging indication of the devices' potential benefits.
The initiative comes as St. Maarten seeks to strengthen opportunities for local food production and improve the long-term prospects of the fisheries industry. Greater access to offshore fish stocks could help local fishers maintain more consistent operations while potentially increasing the availability of locally caught seafood.
The Ministry emphasized that the project is intended to support both economic development and responsible management of marine resources. Its longer-term value will depend on the continued maintenance and monitoring of the devices, as well as their use by the fishing community.
Heyliger-Marten also thanked the local fishing community, the Nature Foundation, TEATT and ETT personnel, and the DC-ALFA family for their collaboration in bringing the initiative to completion.
The two deployed devices are located at the following coordinates:
FAD 1:17°57.049'N, 063°12.896'W
FAD 2:17°54.093'N, 063°14.435'W
The Ministry described the project as an example of regional cooperation and community partnership, demonstrating how collaboration between Caribbean governments and local stakeholders can deliver practical support to the fisheries industry while contributing to marine conservation and food security.
