Sustainability

CARMABI (Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity) is the marine and terrestrial research foundation that runs Curaçao's longest-standing reef-monitoring programme. Founded in 1955 in Piscadera Bay, it's the oldest continuously operating reef-research station in the Caribbean. CARMABI also manages Christoffel National Park and Shete Boka National Park, runs ecotourism programmes, and trains local biologists. The visitor centre at Piscadera Bay has free aquarium displays.

Curaçao faces three primary climate impacts: sea-level rise threatens the low-lying historic Willemstad waterfront and Klein Curaçao; rising water temperatures cause more frequent coral bleaching events (2010, 2015, 2023 documented); and storm intensity is shifting (heavier rainfall events in October-November, rare but stronger tropical storms). Local impact is comparatively low for a Caribbean island — the southern latitude protects from major hurricanes.

Yes — the Hato Reef Restoration project, started in 2019 by CARMABI, has out-planted thousands of coral fragments at degraded shallow sites. The project focuses on staghorn and elkhorn coral (Acropora cervicornis and A. palmata), both endangered Caribbean species. Volunteer-friendly programmes run through SECORE International and Reef Renewal Curaçao — divers can adopt and tend coral nurseries on dedicated days. No diving experience needed for surface-only nursery snorkel programmes.

Cruise tourism contributes ~20% of Curaçao's tourism revenue but creates concentrated pulse-loads at the Mega Pier and Mambo Beach: 800,000 cruise passengers per year, mostly Tuesday-Thursday. Concerns include water pollution from vessel discharges, reef damage from anchoring (now mitigated by mandatory mooring), waste handling (cruise ships now offload waste in Curaçao for processing), and crowding stress at Sea Aquarium and Mambo. Most operators have switched to shore-power hookup at Mega Pier to reduce in-port emissions.

Christoffel National Park hiking + nature drives, Shete Boka National Park, the Hato Caves with bat-conservation tours, Aloe Vera Plantation tour, Ostrich Farm Curaçao (rescued and bred birds), CARMABI's volunteer reef snorkel days, Reef Renewal Curaçao coral-nursery dives, and the Salt Lake Conservation programme at Jan Thiel (flamingos winter here). Several dive operators are CORAL-certified for sustainable practices.

Curaçao has no natural rivers or freshwater aquifers — all drinking and tap water is desalinated seawater, produced by the public utility Aqualectra. The two main desalination plants at Mundo Nobo and Asiento process about 26 million m³ per year. Energy comes from a mix of fuel oil and renewable sources; Curaçao's wind farms (Tera Kora, Playa Kanoa) provide ~40% of grid electricity, indirectly making the desalinated water lower-carbon than islands relying purely on fossil-fuel desalination.

Use reef-safe sunscreen. Don't touch coral or harass marine life. Stay on marked trails in Christoffel and Shete Boka. Use refillable water bottles (tap water is excellent). Skip single-use plastic — most beach bars accept reusables. Tip tour guides and dive operators directly. Eat at local Krioyo restaurants over imported chains. Buy souvenirs from real artisans (Chichi sculptures, Curaçao Liqueur direct from Senior, locally made jewellery) rather than imported t-shirts. Respect Toerismepolitie rules at protected beaches and historical sites.

Lionfish (Pterois volitans, native to the Indo-Pacific) reached Curaçao around 2009 as part of a wider Caribbean invasion. With no natural predators in the Atlantic, populations exploded — they eat juvenile reef fish and disrupt food chains. CARMABI's Caribbean Lionfish Initiative pays divers and fishermen per fish caught; restaurants serve lionfish dishes (mild white meat, similar to snapper) to create market pressure. Curaçao requires a free permit for lionfish hunting via the Lionfish Hunter certification course.

Yes. The Curaçao Marine Park, established in 2025, covers the entire leeward (west) coast from the high-tide line to 60 m depth — about 70 km of coastline including all major dive and snorkel sites. The park bans spear fishing, restricts anchoring (only on designated mooring buoys), and prohibits collection of marine life. Management is shared between Stinapa Curaçao and the Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature. Klein Curaçao and the surrounding waters were designated a Ramsar wetland in 2018.

Single-use plastic bags were banned in 2019; styrofoam food containers banned in 2022. Plastic bottles remain a problem — the island lacks a dedicated recycling facility, so most waste goes to the Malpais landfill. Beach cleanups by Stinapa, Sea Aquarium volunteers, and dive operators happen monthly at Cas Abao, Playa Forti, and the north coast. The deposit-return programme on Polar and Heineken bottles encourages return rather than landfill.

Standard sunscreens contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, which damage coral reefs and contribute to bleaching. Curaçao's reef sits 30–80 m offshore on most leeward beaches — sunscreen residue washing off swimmers reaches the reef directly. Bonaire banned these chemicals in 2021; Hawaii in 2018; Curaçao is moving toward similar legislation. Look for mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide non-nano) labeled 'reef safe' or 'reef friendly'. Most local supermarkets and dive shops carry compliant brands.

Lionfish (controlling the invasion), wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri — line-caught, fast-reproducing), red snapper (line-caught from artisanal fishermen), barracuda from local fishermen. Avoid: sea turtle (illegal), shark, grouper (overfished in the Caribbean), conch (regulated season — some restaurants source illegally). Many restaurants import frozen fish from Iceland and Norway — sustainable but with carbon footprint. Best traceability: Plasa Bieu in Punda (local-only) and the Floating Market for fresh.