WILLEMSTAD - The coral reef of Oostpunt belongs to the country of Curaçao, not to the owners of the estate.
If the estate were to be developed, this will have consequences for the coral reef.
Oostpunt's coral reef is currently in the top three of healthy reefs in the entire Caribbean.
If one actually proceeds to develop in such a way from Lagun Blanku to Punt Kanon, then this reef will certainly be destroyed or die within 4.5 years. That is certain,” says Rolf Bak, an authority on worldwide coral scientific research.
The reef at Oostpunt is the nursery for our entire southern coral reef and probably also for the Aruban reef. The ocean currents usually move from east to west, carrying the living coral larvae with it, which can reproduce along the south coast and keep the reef alive. The coral reef at Oostpunt will die as the estate develops.
Consequences of no coral reef on the south coast could include: no protection against high waves, no more fish or other animal species, no work for fishermen, no work for diving tourism, etc.
What is striking is that the court ruling was made public after the visit of Princess Beatrix. The princess’ visit was in the light of nature conservation.