SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On Wednesday September 23rd, the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT), through the Department of Economy, Transportation and Telecommunication (ETT), launched two Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) in the waters surrounding St. Maarten.
The island’s first deployment of its kind marks a milestone for the fisheries industry in improving access to offshore fishing grounds while supporting fisher livelihoods, food security, and sustainable marine resource use.
Generously donated by the Government of Curaçao, the FADs will help attract pelagic fish such as tuna, mahi-mahi, and wahoo. This can reduce fishers’ search time and fuel costs, while easing pressure on sensitive nearshore reef ecosystems.
“This deployment marks an important step for St. Maarten’s fishing community and the continued development of the fisheries industry. It supports more reliable offshore fishing opportunities, promotes sustainable practices, and lays the foundation for future sector growth.”
The FADs use environmentally responsible materials and GPS-tracked electronic buoys to support monitoring. Their locations were selected in consultation with the local fishing community, Nature Foundation and sanctioned via Maritime Affairs and BTP to ensure compliance with maritime regulations. Coordinates of the FADs are:
FAD#1 17°57.049'N 063°12.896'W
FAD#2 17°54.093'N 063°14.435'W
Following the launch the FADs, the Min.TEATT supported by the FADs technical from Curacao held an information session with the local fishermen.
The Minister and Ministry TEATT thanks Prime Minister PISAS, the Government of Curaçao and Curaçao’s fisheries dept. Mr. Faisel Dilrosun and team for the generous donation of the three (3) FADs and for their technical guidance and hands-on support that was provided during the preparation phase and the actual launching of the FADs.
The Honorable Minister of TEATT, Mrs. Girisha Heyliger-Marten, also takes this opportunity to give a special thank you to Mr. Roche Lesperance and the crew of the vessel Blessing; Mr. Garth Styne and team from the Maritime School of the West Indies, who assisted and played an integral role in facilitating the safe launching of the FADs.
We have also received positive feedback from the local fisherman on well they are working. Naturally, this alone speaks to the positivity we anticipated from this initiative.
The Minister also humbly thanks members of the local fishing community; the Nature Foundation, the staff at the policy dept. Min.TEATT/ETT; and the DC-ALFA family for their collaboration and roles in the successful completion of this project.
This deployment reflects regional cooperation and community partnership in strengthening St. Maarten’s fisheries industry and supporting a more sustainable future for local fishers, marine resources and food security.
