Projects Reef Care Curacao

The goal the foundation is the protection, preservation and monitoring of flora and fauna of Curacao's Coral Reef and all related ecosystems. Reef Care Curacao proposes to achieve this by education, research and monitoring and by specific protective actions. Reef Care Curacao works with volunteers, is independent and does not have commercial ties with any company or institution. Funding for Reef Care Curacao’s projects is provided by donations, sponsorships and fundraising activities.

Some of Reef Care Curacao’s Projects:

Research and Monitoring

Much is still unknown about the how, what and why of the threats menacing our coral reefs. Reef Care Curacao organizes and supports research on the reefs.

An important project, carried out with the help of Reef Care’s volunteer pool, is a monitoring program to continuously survey coral and other reef creatures in general and specific organisms in particular
Three times a year, a minimum of four sites along the island’s coast are monitored by a group of volunteers, using a standard protocol compatible with monitoring projects around the world. This does not only document the present status of the Coral Reef, but will alert us at an early stage to any further worsening of the state of our reefs

Reef Care is also supporting a coordinated monitoring effort for all of the Antillean islands, and was instrumental in establishing the NACRI (Netherlands Antilles Coral Reef Initiative)
In 2002 Reef Care Curacao has been officially appointed Local Representative of WIDECAST (Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Recovery and Conservation Network)

Education

Awareness sticker for Kids

Every year now since the start, Reef Care Curacao organizes snorkel courses for underprivileged children. In several lessons these children are taught the basics of snorkeling and they are shown both the beauty and threats of the Coral Reef. For many children it is the first encounter with snorkeling and underwater life, truly an eye opening experience for most of them. Reef Care Curacao also takes part in the:

Development and distribution of teaching material to all schools and
Publishing of children's books about the beauty of our coral reefs

Awareness

So, what’s the value of a Coral Reef? Well, with a Coral Reef 'on the doorstep' at least Curacao has:

Free coastal protection
Coastal fishery
A booming dive industry
Clear blue swim water
Natural coral sand beaches
Treasure chest for new medicines
Wealth of biodiversity

Management

Some human activities are particular harmful to the Coral Reef. Reef Care Curacao is presently working on setting up a volunteer program to patrol the reefs and beaches, to help prevent illegal spear fishing and to help prevent breaking off of corals through anchoring or other harmful actions. This program is possible thanks to great support of the Coast Guard of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba that donated two old boats, and thanks to the great work of many volunteers from the Dutch Marines, and thanks to a generous donation from the Prince Bernhard Nature Fund to rebuild the boats.