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Characteristics of research on human food and beverage supply and consumption in Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao: a scoping review protocol
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ICMS 2025 From island to the global oceans
No full textThe International Conference of Marine Science - ICMS was created as a unique space for transdisciplinary dialogue on the challenges faced by our oceans and coastal societies. At CEMarin, we have promoted this initiative with the conviction that science, in connection with territories and their communities, can only advance when spaces are opened for the exchange of different forms of knowledge and disciplines.
In this edition, we chose Aruba Island as a setting and living lab. There, ecosystems - coral reef, mangroves, seagrasses - intertwine with tangible problems: conservation, restoration, access to water, energy transition, and public policy development. The island allowed us to see how local challenges become windows into global issues, and how applied science can generate solutions that transcend borders. Two elements deeply marked this meeting. First, the richness of a transdisciplinary dialogue that brought together biologists, engineers, economists, sociologists, and decision-makers around an unified vision: rethinking islands as strategic spaces for sustainability. Second, the connection with real challenges, discussed openly between local communities and scientists, making the ICMS a pioneering forum for science applied to territory.
The participation of keynote and international speakers from different continents enriched this exchange with global perspectives: from Japan to Mexico, from the United States to Europe, and of course, with Latin American and Caribbean experiences. This diversity not only strengthened the scientific dialogue but also allowed us to share cultural visions, consolidating an unprecedented event.
Today, we proudly present the ICMS Proceedings, a legacy of knowledge, reflection, and proposals. These pages seek to extend the dialogue initiated in Aruba, inspiring new collaborations and reminding us that science, when designed and carried out for the territories, can become a driving force for real and sustainable solutions. We invite participants and future generations of researchers to continue along this collective path toward a more harmonious relationship between humankind, islands, and the ocean
Feasibility of Offshore Wind Energy in Aruba
No full textThis thesis examines the feasibility and challenges of implementing offshore wind energy in Aruba, a small island developing state (SIDS) with strong trade winds and high dependence on imported fossil fuels. It combines technical assessments of wind and depth conditions with public perception surveys and international case studies to evaluate Aruba’s potential for offshore wind development. Findings indicate that while Aruba has suitable zones for fixed-bottom and floating turbines, public familiarity with offshore wind remains limited. Survey results reveal general support for offshore wind, mainly if turbines are located far offshore, but only a slight willingness to pay more for renewable energy. Concerns about marine ecosystems and visibility highlight the need for environmental protection and inclusive planning. Regulatory gaps, infrastructure limitations, and capital requirements are significant barriers. Learning from lessons from projects like Vineyard Wind 1 (USA), this study recommends clear permitting, marine spatial planning, and early community engagement to ensure a just, technically viable, and socially acceptable transition to offshore wind in Aruba
Connecting Corals: Understanding Coral Genetics for Climate Resilience in Tropical Insular Territories
No full textClimate change is affecting coral reefs dramatically. The reef-building corals in the Caribbean are decimated by the impact of changing water temperatures and extreme weather events. To understand in which way the negative consequences of global change on insular coral resilience, we need to understand the genetic connectivity of these ecosystems. The dispersal patterns of marine organisms are essential in shaping population dynamics. This study investigates the interaction between ocean currents and two reproductive strategies of scleractinian corals, and their combined influence on genetic connectivity among the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. Coral reproductive modes, specifically brooding versus broadcast spawning, play a critical role in the genetic structuring of populations. We propose that locally brooding corals exhibit stronger genetic structuring than species with broadcast spawning, where larvae experience extended periods in the water column. Using 3D hydrodynamic simulations of Caribbean Current circulation coupled with an individual-based model of biological traits for brooding corals and broadcast spawners, we assess abiotic connectivity patterns. Results indicate that dispersal potential is notably higher for broadcast spawners. Genotyping across two species using microsatellite markers reveals high genetic differentiation in brooding corals and comparatively lower levels among broadcast spawners. Additionally, sporadic dispersal events in brooding corals add to genetic diversity and suggest source-sink dynamics. This analysis of population connectivity and genetic structure in reef-building corals provides critical insights into reef ecosystem resilience, establishing a foundation for informed conservation strategies. Our research supports the long-term sustainability of these essential coral species in a changing marine landscape