The Government of Aruba has taken another step to support the island’s fishing industry with the installation of four additional Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in Aruba’s territorial waters. The initiative was announced by Minister of Tourism, Transport and Labor Wendrick Cicilia and is aimed at improving safety, increasing fishing opportunities, and strengthening the long term sustainability of the local fishing sector.
The newly installed FADs are located off the coasts of Zeewijk, Sero Colorado, Juana Morto, and Druif. These locations were selected following consultations with Aruba’s fishing community and other stakeholders to ensure the devices are placed where they will provide the greatest benefit to local fishermen.
Fish Aggregating Devices are floating or anchored structures specifically designed to attract fish. Many species naturally gather around these objects, allowing fishermen to find productive fishing grounds more easily. By placing FADs closer to Aruba’s coastline, fishermen can access larger concentrations of fish without having to travel long distances into deeper waters or outside Aruba’s territorial waters.
According to Minister Wendrick Cicilia, Aruba’s fishermen play an essential role in the country’s community, culture, and economy. He emphasized that they head out to sea every day to provide fresh seafood for many families across the island, making their safety a priority. He stated that the installation of the new FADs not only creates better fishing opportunities but also helps reduce the risks fishermen face while working at sea.
Benefits of the New FADs
The installation of the additional Fish Aggregating Devices offers several important advantages for Aruba’s fishing sector:
• Improved safety by reducing the need for fishermen to travel farther offshore in search of fish.
• Lower fuel consumption as fishing grounds become more accessible closer to the island.
• Increased fishing efficiency by concentrating pelagic fish species around known locations.
• Reduced operating costs for local fishermen through shorter travel distances.
• Support for sustainable fishing practices by providing designated fishing areas and reducing unnecessary searching across large areas of the ocean.
• Greater economic stability for fishing families by improving the likelihood of successful catches.
The project forms part of a broader government strategy to modernize and strengthen Aruba’s fishing industry while promoting safer and more sustainable fishing practices. The investment is also an example of tourism generated funds, with support from the Aruba Tourism Authority, being reinvested into projects that directly benefit the local community.
Minister Cicilia also acknowledged the many individuals involved in making the project possible. During the installation, he expressed his appreciation to Captain Aito, Alex Mansur, and representatives from Santa Rosa for their contributions and participation in the operation.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to continue working closely with Aruba’s fishing community to identify additional opportunities that will help create a stronger, more resilient, and safer fishing sector for everyone whose livelihood depends on the sea.
