On World Mangrove Day, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) has raised serious concerns about the rapid decline of mangroves on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and St. Maarten.
These critical coastal ecosystems store up to 10 times more carbon than rainforests and play a key role in storm protection and marine biodiversity. A recent State of Nature Report highlights how coastal development, sedimentation, and poor water management are degrading mangroves, especially in areas like Bonaire’s Lac Bay and Lagun.
DCNA warns that without swift and sustained investment—estimated at €300 million for nature restoration and infrastructure upgrades—the Dutch Caribbean risks losing one of its most vital natural defenses. A new regional initiative, supported by DCNA, WWF, and others, aims to scale up mangrove restoration and integrate habitat protection into broader climate and spatial planning strategies across all six islands.
