When I was asked if I wanted to share my journey in Curaçao with all of you, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Traveling alone can sometimes feel isolating, but it’s also a powerful way to grow your perspective by immersing yourself in new cultures, places and experiences. I didn't know about Curacao and its importance to what we know about our oceans until I started my journey of studying deep reefs, which only a few people know exist. I'm hopeful that by sharing this story, you all may think more about our 3D oceans and how they're home to so many different species.
The ocean remains a vast mystery—despite all the discussions about its importance, there’s still so much we don’t truly understand. Globally, we’ve set ambitious goals to protect 10% by 2010, 20% by 2020, and now 30% by 2030. Yet, year after year, we fall short, due to a lack of enforcement and reliable data. Currently, only about 8% of marine protected areas (MPAs) are actively managed, which is a surprisingly small fraction. In Curaçao, there are rules on paper for a marine-protected area, but without enforcement, those protections are ineffective. Limited funding for managing fisheries and preventing illegal anchoring on coral reefs only adds to the growing pressures these ecosystems face.
