Map of Aruban marine protected areas (blue) and Arikok National Park (green).[1]
Location
MPA Arikok
MPA Seroe Colorado
MPA Mangel Halto
MPA Oranjestad reef islands
Area
60.2 square kilometres (23.2 sq mi)
Established
2019
Governing body
Aruba National Park Foundation
The Marine Park Aruba are marine protected areas (MPAs) situated around the island of Aruba. This nature reserve was established on December 21, 2018 and brought under the management of Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA, Aruba National Park Foundation) on April 16, 2019.[1][2]
The designated marine parks on Aruba include some of the island's most valuable reefs. However, the reef sections between MPA Seroe Colorado and MPA Mangel Halto, and particularly the area between MPA Mangel Halto and MPA Oranjestad, host some of Aruba's best remaining reefs along the leeward shore. While these areas are significant for reef preservation, they are not part of the MPAs.[6] To avoid impacting economic activities, these areas are left unprotected. Protecting them would disrupt the operations of cruise ships and the container port. Nevertheless, in Bonaire, where several marine ecosystems have been safeguarded since 1979, it's feasible to host cruise ships.[7]
^Vermeij, Mark; Marhaver, Kristen; Estep, Andrew; Sandin, Stuart (2019). Coral Reefs Baseline Study for Aruba 2019(PDF) (Report). Government of Aruba: Directorate of Nature and Environment.
