Curaçao Donates Three Fish Aggregating Devices to Sint Maarten

A court in Curaçao has rejected a claim filed by Vanddis seeking reimbursement for medical expenses paid on behalf of another party, ruling that the payments constituted brotherly support rather than formal loans. The case centered on whether funds transferred to cover medical costs carried a legal obligation of repayment. The court determined that the nature and context of the payments indicated a personal, familial gesture rather than a contractual financial arrangement. As a result, Vanddis has no legal grounds to recover the amounts paid. The ruling highlights how courts in Curaçao evaluate the intent and relationship between parties when determining whether informal financial transfers can be classified as enforceable debts. The decision is a setback for Vanddis, who had sought to recoup what may have been a significant sum in medical costs.

Curaçao is exploring the potential of its historic waterworks infrastructure to help combat the twin climate threats of drought and flooding. The aging system, which played a critical role in the island's water management in past decades, is being reconsidered as a modern resource for water storage and flood mitigation. Officials and stakeholders are examining how the infrastructure could be rehabilitated or repurposed to capture rainwater during heavy downpours and store it for use during dry periods. The initiative comes as Curaçao, like much of the Caribbean, faces increasing climate variability that makes both prolonged droughts and intense rainfall events more frequent. Reviving the historic waterworks could reduce the island's dependence on costly desalination while also protecting communities from flash flooding. The project represents a dual-purpose approach to water resilience that aligns with broader regional sustainability goals. No timeline or funding commitments have been publicly announced at this stage.

Curaçao is donating three Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) to St. Maarten as part of a regional cooperative effort to boost local fishing. The island has developed a notably successful FAD program of its own, having already installed 23 FADs in Curaçao's waters during 2025 and 2026. FADs are underwater or surface structures designed to attract fish, making them easier for local fishermen to locate and catch. The donation came at the request of a representative from St. Maarten, signaling growing inter-island collaboration on sustainable fisheries in the Dutch Caribbean. The move is expected to benefit St. Maarten's fishing community by improving fish catches and supporting the livelihoods of local fishermen. Curaçao's program serves as a regional model, and this donation extends its impact beyond its own waters.