Aruba’s coastline is one of its greatest treasures. Crystal clear water, white sand beaches, coral reefs and sea turtles that have been nesting on our shores for millions of years. But beneath the surface, things are changing.

Sargassum is washing up along Aruba’s windward coast in growing amounts. Once it hits the shore, it rots quickly, smothering coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves.

Plastic waste is another reality our coastlines faces daily. Sea turtles confuse plastic bags for jellyfish, one of their favorite foods, and once ingested, the plastic can get stuck in their stomachs. Despite the hard work of conservation volunteers, the threats to their survival have not gone away.

Our coral reefs, which protect our entire coastline and support entire marine ecosystems, are also under serious pressure. Warming waters and changing ocean chemistry are driving coral bleaching and disease outbreaks, while land-based pollution is a major contributor to unhealthy reef conditions, especially along Aruba’s northwestern reef areas. Coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor but support around 25 percent of all marine creatures. Losing them does not just affect the fish, it affects our shoreline, our fishing, and our way of life.

These are just some marine threats happing here, on our island, right now. Over the course of the camp, you will dive into the science behind these issues, and explore what it takes to actually protect them through STEM innovations.