Curacao

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1187249/abstract

In situ testing of candidate odorant cues directly in coral-reef communities has the advantage that, in principle, it permits the behavioral responses of all fish species to be evaluated in the species' natural environments. The success of in situ testing depends critically, however, on a suitable method of odorant release. We provide here a proof-of-concept for a new method of release that (instead of using distilled water as an ejection medium) ejects odorant-containing local reef water remotely and silently over an extended time period using gravity as the motive force. The ejected water, being neutrally buoyant, remains in the reef community, dispersing in local currents. From our observations of fish behavior during ejection of candidate odorants in Curaçao reefs, we confirm that brown chromis (Chromis multilineata) are likely attracted to dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and we obtain suggestive evidence that they are attracted to a mix of three betaines: glycine betaine, proline betaine, and trigonelline. Creole wrasse (Clepticus parrae) and yellowhead wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) are likely repelled by DMSP.Many observed fish species gave no evidence of being affected by either DMSP or betaines.

Dutch, Papiamento, and Papiamentu below

On Tuesday May 16th, 2023, the Minister for Climate and Energy, Drs. Rob Jetten, and his delegation visited the Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity foundation (CARMABI) on Curaçao. Here, he was welcomed by Paul Stokkermans (director of CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Head Nature and Environment Education of CARMABI), and Nina Zander (Policy Advisor of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA). Mr. Stokkermans and Mr. Hametee introduced the Minister and his delegation to CARMABI – both through a presentation and a tour of the CARMABI building, showcasing all the important work being executed there.

Minister Jetten and Jonas de Graaf (Advisor Representation of the Netherlands on CAS-islands) during presentation. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

The Minister for Climate and Energy, Drs. Rob Jetten, has co-hosted the Caribbean Climate & Energy Conference on Aruba from the 10^th to the 12^th of May. After the conference on Aruba, the Minister and his delegation traveled to Curaçao. On Tuesday, May 16^th, 2023, the Minister and his delegation visited the Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity foundation (CARMABI) on Curaçao, where they were welcomed by Paul Stokkermans (director of CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Head Nature and Environment Education of CARMABI) and Nina Zander (Policy Advisor for the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA).

The visit focused on the impact of climate issues on Curaçao. “There are several local environmental problems that are too big for the islands, but that the Kingdom might be able to help with, such as the pollution that travels from land into the sea,” said Paul Stokkermans, director of Carmabi.

Carmabi is a non-profit foundation that has been active on the island of Curaçao since 1955. The organization started as a marine biological research institute, but over the years it has also started to focus on the conservation of nature parks and nature and environmental education. The organization consists of five parts:

• Research;
• Management of terrestrial parks;
• Management of marine parks;
• Nature and environmental education;
• Ecological advice and consultancy to third parties.

Minister Jetten during a tour through Carmabi’s Marine Education Centre. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

During his visit, Minister Jetten received an extensive presentation from Stokkermans and Hameete. “During the presentation, we were able to inform the Minister in detail about the various work Carmabi is executing on the island, such as research and education,” says Hameete, “but we were also able to tell him more about the local environmental problems we face as an island, such as the lack of wastewater treatment for chemical wastewater, the sewage problem, and the effects of overfishing on our coral ecosystem.  This visit demonstrates a commitment to working together to address our climate, environmental, and energy challenges.”

From left to right: Nina Zander (Policy Advisor DCNA), Cor Hametee (Head Nature and Environment Education of CARMABI), Rob Jetten (Minister for Climate and Energy), and Paul Stokkermans (Director CARMABI). Photo credit: Berber van Beek

After the presentation, the delegation was given a tour of the Carmabi site during which the Minister visited the Research Center, Marine Education Center (MEC), and the library. At the end of the visit, the minister was given the comic book “Coral Heroes,” which is written in Dutch and Papiamentu.

Before traveling to Aruba, the Minister visited Bonaire, where, amongst others, he was escorted through Bonaire’s mangrove forest on May 9^th, 2023, by the Mangrove Maniacs and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA). “As DCNA, we think it is great to see the Minister visiting multiple Dutch Caribbean Islands to grasp the differences in culture, issues faced, and needs. We strongly support the Minister’s call for cooperation within The Kingdom” says Nina, DCNA’s Policy Advisor.

Op dinsdag 16 mei 2023 bracht de Minister voor Klimaat en Energie, drs. Rob Jetten, met zijn delegatie een bezoek aan de Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity foundation (CARMABI) op Curaçao. Hier werd hij verwelkomt door Paul Stokkermans (directeur CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hoofd Natuur- en Milieueducatie CARMABI) en Nina Zander (Beleidsadviseur Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA). De heer Stokkermans en de heer Hametee lieten de Minister en zijn delegatie kennismaken met CARMABI – zowel door middel van een presentatie als een rondleiding door het CARMABI-gebouw, waarbij al het belangrijke werk dat daar wordt uitgevoerd, werd getoond.

Minister Jetten en Jonas de Graaf (Adviseur Vertegenwoordiging van Nederland op CAS-eilanden) tijdens presentatie. Fotocredit: Berber van Beek.

De Minister van Klimaat en Energie, drs. Rob Jetten was mede-gastheer van de Caribbean Climate & Energy Conference op Aruba van 10 tot 12 mei. Na de conferentie op Aruba reisde de Minister door naar Curaçao. Op dinsdag 16 mei 2023 bezochten de Minister en zijn delegatie de Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity foundation (CARMABI) op Curaçao, waar zij werden ontvangen door Paul Stokkermans (directeur CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hoofd Natuur- en Milieueducatie van CARMABI) en Nina Zander (Beleidsadviseur voor de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA).

Het bezoek stond in het teken van de impact van klimaatproblematiek op Curaçao. “Er zijn verschillende lokale milieuproblemen die te groot zijn voor de eilanden, maar waar het Koninkrijk misschien wel iets aan kan doen, zoals de vervuiling die van het land in de zee terecht komt”, aldus Paul Stokkermans, directeur van Carmabi.

Carmabi is een stichting zonder winstoogmerk die sinds 1955 actief is op het eiland Curaçao. De organisatie begon als marien-biologisch onderzoeksinstituut, maar is zich in de loop der jaren ook gaan richten op het beheer van natuurparken en natuur- en milieueducatie. De organisatie bestaat nu uit 5 afdelingen:

• Wetenschappelijk onderzoek,
• Beheer van terrestrisch natuurparken,
• Beheer van mariene natuurparken,
• Natuur- en milieueducatie,
• Ecologisch advies en consultancy aan derden.

Minister Jetten tijdens een rondleiding door Carmabi’s Marine Education Centre. Fotocredit: Berber van Beek.

Minister Jetten kreeg tijdens zijn bezoek een uitgebreide presentatie van Stokkermans en Hameete. “Tijdens de presentatie hebben we de minister uitgebreid kunnen informeren over de verschillende werkzaamheden die Carmabi op het eiland uitvoert, waaronder onderzoek en onderwijs”, zegt Hameete, “maar ook hebben we hem meer kunnen vertellen over de lokale milieuproblematiek waarmee we als eiland worden geconfronteerd, zoals het ontbreken van afvalwaterzuivering voor chemisch afvalwater, de rioolproblematiek en de gevolgen van overbevissing op ons koraal-ecosysteem. Met dit bezoek wordt duidelijk gemaakt dat de wil om te komen tot een samenwerking, om onze uitdagingen op het gebied van klimaat, milieu en energie het hoofd te bieden, een gevolg krijgt.”

Na de presentatie kreeg de delegatie een rondleiding over het terrein van Carmabi waarbij de Minister een bezoek bracht aan het Research Center, Marine Education Center (MEC) en de bibliotheek. Aan het eind van het bezoek kreeg de minister het stripboek ‘Coral Heroes’ mee, dat geschreven is in het Nederlands en Papiamentu.

Van links naar rechts: Nina Zander (Beleidsadviseur DCNA), Cor Hametee (Hoofd Natuur- en Milieueducatie van CARMABI), Rob Jetten (Minister van Klimaat en Energie) en Paul Stokkermans (Directeur CARMABI). Fotocredit: Berber van Beek

De Minister bezocht, voordat hij naar Aruba afreisde, Bonaire, waar hij onder meer door de Mangrove Maniacs en de Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) door het mangrovebos van Bonaire werd begeleid. “Als DCNA vinden we het geweldig om te zien dat de minister meerdere Nederlandse Caribische eilanden bezoekt om de verschillen in onder andere cultuur, problematiek en behoeften te begrijpen. We ondersteunen de oproep van de Minister tot samenwerking binnen het Koninkrijk”, zegt Nina, beleidsadviseur van DCNA.

Diamars dia 16 di mei 2023 Minister di Clima y Energia, Drs. Rob Jetten y su delegacion a bishita fundacion Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) na Corsou.  Aki, Paul Stokkermans (director di CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hefe di Educacion di Naturalesa y Medio ambiente di CARMABI) y Nina Zander (Consehero di maneho di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA) a yama Paul Stokkerman bon bini. Señor Stokkermans y Señor Hametee a introduci CARMABI na Minister y su delegacion, tanto pa un presentacion como pa un recorido door di e edificio di CARMABI, mustrando tur trabou importante cu nan ta ehecuta aki.

Minister Jetten and Jonas de Graaf (Advisor Representation of the Netherlands on CAS-islands) during presentation. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

Minister di Clima y Energia, Drs. Rob Jetten, tabata coanfitrion di e Conferencia Caribense di Clima y Energia na Aruba di dia 10 pa 12 di mei. Despues di e conferencia na Aruba, e delegacion a biaha bay Corsou. Diamars dia 16 di mei di 2023 e minister y su delegacion a bishita fundacion Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) na Corsou, na unda nan a woro ricibi pa Paul Stokkermans (director di CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hefe di Educacion tocante Naturalesa y Medio ambiente di CARMABI) y Nina Zander (Consehero di maneho di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA).

E bishita a centra su mes den e impacto di e problemanan climatico na Corsou. “Tin varios problema ambiental local cu ta demasiado grandi pa e islanan, pero cu cua Reino lo por yuda, manera contaminacion cu ta bay for di tera pa lama”, Paul Stokkermans, director di Carmabi a bisa.

Carmabi ta un fundacion sin meta lucrativo cu ta activo na e isla di Corsou desde 1955. E organisacion a cuminsa como un instituto di investigacion di biologia marino, pero cu aña tambe a cuminsa enfoca riba conservacion di e parkenan natural y educacion di naturalesa y medio ambiente. E organisacion ta consisti di cinco parti:

• Investigacion;
• Maneho di parke riba tera;
• Maneho di parke di lama;
• Naturalesa y educacion ambiental;
• Conseho ecologico y conseho na tercero.

Minister Jetten during a tour through Carmabi’s Marine Education Centre. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

Durante su bishita Minister Jetten a ricibi un presentacion extenso di señor Stokkermans y Señor Hameete. “Durante e presentacion nos por a informa e minister detayadamente tocante e diferente trabounan cu Carmabi ta ehecutando na e isla, manera investigacion y educacion”, Hameete ta bisa, “pero tambe nos por a conta mas tocante e problemanan ambiental local, cu nos ta enfrenta como isla, manera falta di tratamento di awa residual pa awa residual kimico, e problema di riool y e efectonan di sobrepesca den nos ecosistema di coral. E bishita ta demostra un compromiso di trahamento hunto pa enfrenta nos desafionan climatico, ambiental y energetico.”

From left to right: Nina Zander (Policy Advisor DCNA), Cor Hametee (Head Nature and Environment Education of CARMABI), Rob Jetten (Minister for Climate and Energy), and Paul Stokkermans (Director CARMABI). Photo credit: Berber van Beek

Despues di e presentacion e delegacion a realisa un recorido door e tereno di Carmabi durante cua e minister a bishita Centro di Investigacion, Centro di Educacion Marina (MEC) y e biblioteca. Na fin di e bishita e minister a ricibi e buki di strip “Heroenan di coral”, cu ta skirbi na Hulandes y na Papiamentu.

Prome cu el a biaha pa Aruba, e minister a bishita Boneiro, na unda, entre otro, el a haya un guia door di e mondi di palo di mangel di Boneiro dia 9 di mei di aña 2023 door di Mangrove Maniacs y Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA).

Djamars, 16 di mei 2023, e Minister di Klima i Energia, Drs. Rob Jetten, kompañá pa su delegashon a bishitá Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) na Kòrsou. Aki el a haña un bonbiní di parti di Paul Stokkermans (direktor di CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hefe di Edukashon di Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente di CARMABI), i Nina Zander (Konsehero di Maneho di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA). Señor Stokkermans i señor Hametee a duna e Minister i su delegashon un introdukshon na CARMABI – tantu den forma di un presentashon komo un paseo den e edifisio di CARMABI, pa ilustrá tur e trabounan importante ku ta tuma lugá ei.

Minister Jetten and Jonas de Graaf (Advisor Representation of the Netherlands on CAS-islands) during presentation. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

E Minister di Klima i Energia, Drs. Rob Jetten, tabata un di un anfitrionnan na e konferensia The Caribbean Climate & Energy Conference na Aruba di 10 pa 12 di mei. Despues di e konferensia na Aruba, e delegashon a bahia pa Kòrsou. Riba djamars 16 di mei 2023, e Minister huntu ku su delegashon a bishitá e fundashon Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) na Kòrsou, kaminda nan tabata risibí pa Paul Stokkermans (direktor di CARMABI), Cor Hameete (Hefe di Edukashon di Naturalesa i Medio Ambiente di CARMABI), i Nina Zander (Konsehero di Maneho di Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance – DCNA).

E enfoke di e bishita tabata riba e impakto di tópikonan di klima na Kòrsou. “Tin diferente problema lokal di medioambiente ku ta demasiado grandi pa e islanan, pero ku Reino hulandes lo por duna un man ku esakinan, manera e polushon ku ta move di riba tera drenta laman”, sr. Paul Stokkermans, direktor di Carmabi, a bisa.

Carmabi ta un fundashon non-profit ku ta aktivo riba e isla di Kòrsou for di 1955. E organisashon a start komo un instituto di investigashon biológiko marino, pero den kurso di añanan el a kuminsá duna atenshon tambe na konservashon di parkenan natural i na edukashon di naturalesa i medioambiente. E organisashon ta konsistí di sinku departamento:

• Investigashon;
• Maneho di parke terestre;
• Maneho di parke marino;
• Edukashon di naturalesa i medio ambiente;
• Servisio di Konseho i di Konsùltent na terser partido.

Minister Jetten during a tour through Carmabi’s Marine Education Centre. Photo credit: Berber van Beek.

Durante su bishita, Minister Jetten a risibí un presentashon en ekstenso di parti di Stokkermans ku Hameete. “Durante e presentashon, nos por a informá e Minister en detaye tokante e vários trabounan ku Carmabi ta ehekutá riba e isla, manera investigashon i edukashon,” Hameete a splika, “ademas nos por a splika su persona mas tokante e problemanan lokal di medioambiente, ku komo un isla nos ta konfrontá, manera e falta di tratamentu di awa shushi pa awa shushi kímiko, e problema di kloaka i e efektonan di peska eksesivo na nos sistema di koral. E bishita akí ta demostrá un kompromiso di traha huntu pa atendé ku nos retonan di klima, medioambiente i energia.”

From left to right: Nina Zander (Policy Advisor DCNA), Cor Hametee (Head Nature and Environment Education of CARMABI), Rob Jetten (Minister for Climate and Energy), and Paul Stokkermans (Director CARMABI). Photo credit: Berber van Beek

Despues di e presentashon, e delegashon a haña un paseo den e edifisio di Carmabi i durante esaki e Minister a bishitá e Sentro di Investigashon, e Sentro di Edukashon Marino (MEC), i e biblioteka. Na final di e bishita, a entregá e minister e buki di comic “Coral Heroes,” ku ta skirbí na hulandes i papiamentu.

Promé di a biaha pa Aruba, e Minister a bishitá Boneiru, kaminda ku el haña entre otro un paseo den e mondi di palu di mangel di Boneiru riba 9 di mei 2023, kompañá pa The Mangrove Maniacs i Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA).

Published in BioNews 65

ABSTRACT

A major challenge in invasion ecology is determining which introduced species pose a threat to resident species through competitive displacement. Here, we provide a statistical framework rooted in coexistence theory to calculate coexistence outcomes – including competitive displacement – between resident and invading species. Advantageously, our framework uses readily available trait and abundance data rather than the demographic data traditionally used in coexistence theory applications which is often difficult to collect for most species. Our framework provides methods for predicting displacement that has yet to manifest in incipient invasions, and for quantifying displacement in ongoing invasions. We apply this framework to the native and introduced gecko species on Curaçao and predict the displacement of all three native species by introduced species and quantify that the displacement of one native species is already underway. Our results affirm that trait and abundance data are suitable proxies to reasonably predict and quantify coexistence outcomes. 

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly clear that Caribbean islands are very vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, longer periods of droughts, loss of biodiversity, more extreme weather events (flooding and hurricanes), and increased freshwater demands. Addressing these issues encourages good climate change adaptation governance. So far, however, the literature has not discussed what good governance could mean in this context. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to address this knowledge gap by developing an assessment framework and showing its usefulness. The framework is based on a review of the literature and is applied in an assessment of adaptation practices in Curaçao. The assessment is based on a review of Curaçao policy documents and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders. We found that the developed framework was useful for obtaining a better insight into the quality of adaptation governance on Caribbean islands, and that in the Curaçao practices, the good governance principles of transparency and inclusiveness are better elaborated in comparison to connectivity, accountability and government effectiveness. We conclude the paper with some reflections on the potential of the framework and some suggestions for further research.

Abstract

Red-billed Tropicbirds have historically been considered rare visitors to the waters around the islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire in the southern Caribbean. However, in recent years there has been an increase in documented records. We summarize all known Red-billed Tropicbird records for the region and review broader regional population and movement data to place this increase in records in context. We recommend continued careful documentation of Red-billed Tropicbird records on and around the islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire and the implementation of a standardized monitoring pro-gram across the Caribbean range for the species to better understand the species' population status, trends, and breeding and at-sea distribution

Abstract

Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse yet threatened ecosystems on the planet. Our understanding of what contributes to a coral reef’s resilience to adapt to global and local threats is not well established. Thriving reefs in close proximity to anthropogenic impacts indicate there are opportunities for improved understanding of the underlying factors that influence the ability of some coral species to withstand environmental stressors and changing oceanographic conditions. Research suggests that resource availability and a coral’s trophic strategy can improve a coral’s tolerance to environmental stressors. Such discoveries have already been made, but the effects of resource availability on heterotrophic coral species have been minimally explored in the Caribbean; a region that has suffered substantial declines in coral health and cover–. Regardless of these declines, Curaçao, an island in the Southern Caribbean, possesses uncharacteristic coral diversity and cover for the region. One of the most abundant species covering the Curaçao reef tract, Madracis mirabilis, is largely heterotrophic in its feeding strategy. The growth and distribution of this species was tracked across 7 sites spanning approximately 40 kilometers along natural and anthropogenic gradients of nutrients in Curaçao. Our findings suggest that the highest growth and percent cover of M, mirabilis, can be found in regions with the highest exposure to anthropogenic nutrient loading. These data provide insights into how some corals may be better adapted to changing environmental conditions and degradations in water quality

Abstract
Tropical dry forests experience pronounced seasonal changes in precipitation mani- 
fested in varied plant phenologies. At landscape scales, geologic substrate—one of the 
least understood abiotic factors interacting with precipitation—may modulate phe- 
nological responses in these forests through a combination of mechanisms regulat- 
ing water and nutrient use. We leveraged a phenological dataset from the semiarid 
island of Curaçao to examine the extent to which plant phenology at multiple levels 
of biological organization diverge under different geologies. Monthly observations 
over a 30-month period of leaves, flowers, and fruits of 69 plant species of different 
life forms at three nearby sites differing in their underlaying geology were used to 
examine intra- and inter-annual plant responses at species, community, and system 
levels. The integration of leaf, flower, and fruit observations at intra-annual scales 
revealed diverse phenological strategies among species, broad associations with geo- 
logic substrate, and the extent of intra-specific variation as a function of geology. The 
community- and system-level analyses at inter-annual scales showed a reduction in 
mean leaf scores during the 30-month period, a weak and strong leafless period in 
1993 and 1994, respectively, and differences among geologic substrates. Finally, we 
observed significant and positive relationships between precipitation and the pheno- 
phase scores; the strength of the relationships varied with phenophase and geologic 
substrate. Results of this work emphasize the importance of geologic substrate, and 
more broadly speaking landscape heterogeneity, in modulating plant phenological re- 
sponses in tropical dry forests. Ultimately, this information will become important to 
understand and mitigate global climate change impacts.
Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

Abstract: Bioerosion caused by boring mussels (Mytilidae: Lithophaginae) can negatively impact coral reef health. During biodiversity surveys of coral-associated fauna in Curaçao (southern Caribbean), morphological variation in mussel boreholes was studied. Borings were found in 22 coral species, 12 of which represented new host records. Dead corals usually showed twin siphon openings, for each mussel shaped like a figure of eight, which were lined with a calcareous sheath and protruded as tubes from the substrate surface. Most openings surrounded by live coral tissue were deeper and funnel-shaped, with outlines resembling dumbbells, keyholes, ovals or irregular ink blotches. The boreholes appeared to contain black siphon and mantle tissue of the mussel. Because of the black color and the hidden borehole opening in live host corals, the mantle tissue appeared to mimic dark, empty holes, while they were actually cloaking live coral tissue around the hole, which is a new discovery. By illustrating the morphological range of borehole orifices, we aim to facilitate the easy detection of boring mussels for future research.

Abstract

Curaçao is a Small Island Development State in the Wider Caribbean Region. In the scope of sustainable development and the UN SDGs, these states are characterized by being extra vulnerable to environmental changes induced by climate change. One important way of adapting and mitigating is the sustainable management of natural resources such as water. Poor management of water and wastewater in particular is leading to social and environmental problems in Curaçao such as harming economical activities like fisheries and marine ecosystems. Nevertheless, social and environmental consequences of this poor management on land is hardly investigated. Therefore, this research was set up to explore the consequences on land through three approaches. First, by sorting out the current situation of wastewater monitoring in Curaçao on the managerial level by partaking in a government agency as a participant observer. Second, by exploring the occurrence of wastewater related diseases among the people of Curaçao. Third, by attempting to draw conclusions about ground water quality and its probable suitability for irrigation, by locating likely sources of wastewater pollution on the estimation of groundwater quality in Excel with secondary data of electrical conductivity. The findings include that wastewater management should be treated with more priority and that more efforts should be paid on consistency in responsibilities and storage of data. As to public health risks, the applied method did not find wastewater related diseases. Still, more thorough research on the matter is recommended. Lastly, overall groundwater quality in Curaçao is not directly suitable for irrigation. The water quality analysis with electrical conductivity provided a location to start further research where wastewater contamination might be occurring, but requires more methods to confirm whether this is actually applicable.

Abstract

This study addresses the governance around climate change policies in two small islands in the Southern Caribbean. Like many other small islands across the world it is becoming increasingly clear that they are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change like the increase in sea level rise, longer dry periods, loss of biodiversity, more extreme weather events (flooding and hurricanes) and increased fresh water demands (IPCC, 2014). To address such issues climate change adaptation policies will be necessary. The geographical focus of this research is the Southern Caribbean, specifically the islands of Curaçao and Bonaire. This study investigated what climate change adaptation policies are in place and could the policies be characterized as good governance? Policy documents were studied, and 22 semi-structured interviews were held with policy-makers and NGOs. First, a literature review of the concept of good governance was carried out to develop an analytical framework with principles and corresponding indicators for good governance. Second, the framework was applied to assess good governance in key climate policy documents of both islands. And third, the indicators of the framework were also used in the interviews with governmental stakeholders and NGOs, to assess from their perspectives good governance in climate policies. Curaçao and Bonaire have different jurisdictions, respectively an autonomous country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and a Dutch municipality. Therefore, from a governance perspective it seemed interesting to compare both islands whether one jurisdiction is doing better than the other. The aims of the research are to reduce the knowledge gap on climate change adaptation in the Southern Caribbean, to develop a good governance framework, to assess good governance in climate change adaptation policies on both islands and to compare them. The last aim is what recommendations of enhancing good governance practices could be given. Results are that the developed analytical framework worked rather well and that the governance principles Transparency, Inclusiveness and Connectivity are relatively better in place than Accountability and Government Effectiveness. There are some differences between the islands but not striking.