St. Maarten receives three sish aggregating devices From Curaçao to strengthen local fisheries

GREAT BAY--St. Maarten has received three Fish Aggregating Devices, or FADs, from the Government of Curaçao in an initiative aimed at expanding offshore fishing opportunities, supporting local fishers and strengthening the country’s long-term food security.

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten welcomed the donation, which was made under the leadership of Curaçao Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas. The initiative follows a working visit by Heyliger-Marten in 2025 and forms part of the Ministry’s broader effort to develop St. Maarten’s fisheries sector.

“This donation demonstrates what meaningful cooperation within the Kingdom can deliver for our people,” Heyliger-Marten said. “I extend my sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Pisas and the Government of Curaçao for responding positively to our request and supporting our efforts to create more opportunities for St. Maarten’s fishers.”

She described the donation as a practical investment in a local economic sector and an opportunity to increase access to locally caught fish.

Fish Aggregating Devices are floating structures placed in open water to encourage pelagic fish to gather in a particular area. Fish naturally associate with floating objects for shelter, shade, orientation and access to food. Over time, algae and other marine organisms develop around submerged sections of the devices, attracting smaller fish and eventually larger species.

Species that may be found around FADs include mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo, yellowfin and blackfin tuna, and amberjack.

The devices do not create new fish populations or significantly increase existing stocks. Instead, they concentrate fish already present in surrounding waters, allowing fishers to locate them more efficiently.

When properly deployed and managed, FADs can reduce the amount of time and fuel fishers spend searching for productive fishing grounds and provide more targeted opportunities for offshore fishing.

The three devices donated to St. Maarten were constructed in Curaçao and include lighting, radar reflectors and Automatic Identification System tracking equipment to improve maritime safety.

The Bureau Telecommunications and Post St. Maarten has approved and issued the Maritime Mobile Service Identity numbers required for the devices. The identification numbers allow the FADs’ AIS beacons to transmit their identity and position to vessels and maritime authorities.

Locations for the FADs were identified following consultations involving the Nature Foundation St. Maarten and local fishers and were subsequently submitted to and approved by BTP.

Two of the devices are expected to be deployed at the approved locations. The third will remain in storage to serve as a replacement or backup if needed.

A technical team from Curaçao is expected to travel to St. Maarten to assist the local team with installation.

Deployment will take place as soon as operationally feasible, taking into account the availability of the technical teams, suitable marine conditions and the current peak of the hurricane season.

The donation also includes a maintenance plan intended to guide continued monitoring and upkeep once the devices are deployed.

Heyliger-Marten said the initiative goes beyond placing equipment offshore and should be viewed as part of a wider effort to improve opportunities for St. Maarten’s fishing community.

“This initiative is about more than putting equipment in the water,” she said. “It is about giving our fishers improved access to offshore fishing opportunities, supporting local livelihoods and taking another concrete step towards a stronger and more productive fisheries sector.”

“Our waters are an economic resource, and we must manage them responsibly so they can continue to provide opportunities for generations to come,” she added.

The Ministry also thanked the Department of ETT, Shervin Frederick and his team, the Department of Shipping and Maritime, the Nature Foundation and members of the fishing community who contributed to the initiative.

TEATT said it will continue working with the relevant authorities, technical partners and local fishing community to facilitate the safe deployment, management and maintenance of the FADs once installation is completed.

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