www.dcnanature.org The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) is a non-profit organization established in 2005 to safeguard nature in the Dutch Caribbean by supporting Park Management Organizations (parks).
ABOUT BIONEWS
BioNews is a monthly digital newsletter created by the DCNA that shares nature news from the six Dutch Caribbean islands. You can subscribe to this via the DCNA website. BioNews Kids has this same goal of sharing exciting nature stories targeting the next generation of conservationists.
DONATE DIRECTLY TO NATURE EDUCATION Your support enables parks' Education Officers to improve nature education for children and ensure the future of nature in the Dutch Caribbean! Donations like yours can go directly into supporting Junior Ranger programs on the islands.
MAKE A DONATION
Go to dcnanature.org/donate Select the organization you want to support. ILLUSTRATION AND DeSIGN: Deviate Design, Bonaire FEATURED PhotographY: HANS LEIJNSE, BRENDA KIRKBY, MiCHAEL WORDEN, RUDY v GELDERE, JIM ABERNETHY, marion haarsma, elaine brewer, todd cravens, richard carey, markus kammermann, john cobb, maria rubio, mark vermeij, Anna Syme
DCNA'S ACTIVITIES ARE GENErously SPONSORED BY
Third issue!
Saba
5
4
1
St. Maarten Saba
St. Eustatius
the Dutch caribbean
2
u a r t ers Of the earth is covered with water? And that oceans and seas can be very deep? Sometimes even deeper than the largest mountain is high. Together, that is a lot of water! Can you imagine how many animals and plants live in all this water?
t
Sint Maarten Curaçao
hr
q ee-
o u k n o w t h at
Write the name of the island p! in the correct place on the ma
Sint Eustatius
Bonaire
Aruba
Marine refers to anything that has something to do with the ocean or sea.
y Did
ably in is, you are prob As you read th t is that? bbean. But wha the Dutch Cari lands. nsists of six is co n ea bb ri Ca The Dutch o you also one of them! D on ve li u yo And r islands? know the othe
6
Aruba Curaçao
Those animals and plants are very important. Unfortunately, some animal and plant species are endangered! That is why we have to take extra care of the water that surrounds our islands and all animals and plants living in that water. To do so, the islands have 'national marine parks'. These are areas in the water where special rules apply to protect underwater life. In the Dutch Caribbean, we have six!
In
3 Do you want to know if your an swers are correc You can find the t? correct answers to this game (and many othe r fun games in th is booklet) by scanning this QR code.
t h is
booklet, we will show you t of f un things about the underw ater life of ou r islands! This way you w ill lea rn w hy it is important to prot ect it!
a lo
Bonaire
Marine?!
OUR ISLANDS
The theme of this booklet is 'marine' But what does that mean?
SWIM ! ALONG
Saba
5
4
1
St. Maarten Saba
St. Eustatius
the Dutch caribbean
2
u a r t ers Of the earth is covered with water? And that oceans and seas can be very deep? Sometimes even deeper than the largest mountain is high. Together, that is a lot of water! Can you imagine how many animals and plants live in all this water?
t
Sint Maarten Curaçao
hr
q ee-
o u k n o w t h at
Write the name of the island p! in the correct place on the ma
Sint Eustatius
Bonaire
Aruba
Marine refers to anything that has something to do with the ocean or sea.
y Did
ably in is, you are prob As you read th t is that? bbean. But wha the Dutch Cari lands. nsists of six is co n ea bb ri Ca The Dutch o you also one of them! D on ve li u yo And r islands? know the othe
6
Aruba Curaçao
Those animals and plants are very important. Unfortunately, some animal and plant species are endangered! That is why we have to take extra care of the water that surrounds our islands and all animals and plants living in that water. To do so, the islands have 'national marine parks'. These are areas in the water where special rules apply to protect underwater life. In the Dutch Caribbean, we have six!
In
3 Do you want to know if your an swers are correc You can find the t? correct answers to this game (and many othe r fun games in th is booklet) by scanning this QR code.
t h is
booklet, we will show you t of f un things about the underw ater life of ou r islands! This way you w ill lea rn w hy it is important to prot ect it!
a lo
Bonaire
Marine?!
OUR ISLANDS
The theme of this booklet is 'marine' But what does that mean?
SWIM ! ALONG
ber T m e m e r u o yo
a r a?
A R A T ! K C A B s i D
HAWKSBILL TURTLE
LEATHERBACK TURTLE
rtle! Tara is a sea tu ies of There are 7 spec e world. sea turtles in th in the Of these, 5 live r islands! water around ou Check out which ones below.
Quickly he Tara Out O lp fishing nfethe t!
GREEN TURTLE
LOGGERHEAD TURTLE
Unfortunately,
turtles are being threatened by how people act. For example, turtles can get caught in fishing nets. They can get seriously injured. Or, if they are caught in the net for too long, they can't go to the surface to breath in oxygen. Without oxygen they will die. Therefore, fishing nets are one of the reasons why turtles are endangered. That is why we must protect turtles.
OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLE
Fortunately , protecting Tara and
her friends doesn't only lie in your hands. Scientists have tested whether it helps to attach lights to fishing nets. And guess what? It works! When turtles see the lights, they swim in an arc around the fishing nets. This way fishermen can continue fishing and turtles can continue living!
ber T m e m e r u o yo
a r a?
A R A T ! K C A B s i D
HAWKSBILL TURTLE
LEATHERBACK TURTLE
rtle! Tara is a sea tu ies of There are 7 spec e world. sea turtles in th in the Of these, 5 live r islands! water around ou Check out which ones below.
Quickly he Tara Out O lp fishing nfethe t!
GREEN TURTLE
LOGGERHEAD TURTLE
Unfortunately,
turtles are being threatened by how people act. For example, turtles can get caught in fishing nets. They can get seriously injured. Or, if they are caught in the net for too long, they can't go to the surface to breath in oxygen. Without oxygen they will die. Therefore, fishing nets are one of the reasons why turtles are endangered. That is why we must protect turtles.
OLIVE RIDLEY TURTLE
Fortunately , protecting Tara and
her friends doesn't only lie in your hands. Scientists have tested whether it helps to attach lights to fishing nets. And guess what? It works! When turtles see the lights, they swim in an arc around the fishing nets. This way fishermen can continue fishing and turtles can continue living!
Who is the fastest?
S R E e D r L o O m H I h av e o v e r
I am the shark teeth with the most
300!
OR marlin
RD O C E R A few
THE BIG
hammerhead shark
T h at i s
st igge e than b r o e m h t h I am t fis s! avies can 1 0 c a r e h d I n . a rld e wo 0 h t n i 15,00 e m beco
I am the fis h that c an
jump
the hig hest. The bi ggest record ed height is
10 me
tres!
!
kilos
And small
WINNERS WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN?
starfish
SEahorse
OR Who is the slowest?
GREAT ARK H WHITE S
Whale shark
SHORTFIN M A KO S H A R K
Who is the fastest?
S R E e D r L o O m H I h av e o v e r
I am the shark teeth with the most
300!
OR marlin
RD O C E R A few
THE BIG
hammerhead shark
T h at i s
st igge e than b r o e m h t h I am t fis s! avies can 1 0 c a r e h d I n . a rld e wo 0 h t n i 15,00 e m beco
I am the fis h that c an
jump
the hig hest. The bi ggest record ed height is
10 me
tres!
!
kilos
And small
WINNERS WHO DO YOU THINK WILL WIN?
starfish
SEahorse
OR Who is the slowest?
GREAT ARK H WHITE S
Whale shark
SHORTFIN M A KO S H A R K
NATURE OBSERVER
Discovering cool plants and animals does not just take place in this booklet. The best place to observe nature is... outside of course! You can go to the national (marine) park on your island. But you can also view plants and animals in other places. If you pay attention, nature is everywhere! Go outside and discover plants r e and animals. b
O L G D E E E N R
On Thursday the 2nd of Nove
mber 2023,
Is yo u r s c h o o l p
a r ti c ipat in g ?
Then you can participate on line in groups of 1 to 4 team membe rs and compete for gr eat prizes. Th e grand prize is a sail ing and snorke l trip with the winning te am around your island.
The answers to all questions of the quiz can be found in this booklet. So, if you read this booklet carefully, you have a better chance of winning the quiz!
Make sure t o r e g is t e r yo u r t eQuaizm.org
ture www.BigLiveNa
1
Respect nature!
That means you do not touch animals or plants. Or swim or run after them. Also, you do not scare animals. And you will not take anything from nature home with you. Follow the rules from your local park management organization.
BE SAFE!
2
ES
the DCNA organizes the Big Live Nature Quiz. This is a super fun quiz for kid s in grades 5 and 6 (‘groep 7 and 8’ in the Dutch school system) of primary schools on the Dutch Caribb ean islands. The quiz takes place during school time. Sch ools can decide for themselves whether they pa rticipate.
THE T
H
r
m
RU L
ys a w Al
e em
Don't leave anything behind!
Always make sure you have enough food, drinks, and sunscreen with you. If you go to a national (marine) park, you must stay within the designated areas.
3
The items you bring into nature need to go back home with you! You leave nothing behind. Except for when it is in a bin! So, throw waste in rubbish bins. Do you not see one? Take waste home and dispose of it there.
Did you understand the golden rules? Then you are ready to go out into nature! Take a good look around. Maybe you will see living creatures from this booklet... You can also ask yourself the following questions when you swim or walk through nature:
Which (animal) sounds do I hear?
What is the most remarkable about an animal or plant?
How do plants or animals differ from each other?
NATURE OBSERVER
Discovering cool plants and animals does not just take place in this booklet. The best place to observe nature is... outside of course! You can go to the national (marine) park on your island. But you can also view plants and animals in other places. If you pay attention, nature is everywhere! Go outside and discover plants r e and animals. b
O L G D E E E N R
On Thursday the 2nd of Nove
mber 2023,
Is yo u r s c h o o l p
a r ti c ipat in g ?
Then you can participate on line in groups of 1 to 4 team membe rs and compete for gr eat prizes. Th e grand prize is a sail ing and snorke l trip with the winning te am around your island.
The answers to all questions of the quiz can be found in this booklet. So, if you read this booklet carefully, you have a better chance of winning the quiz!
Make sure t o r e g is t e r yo u r t eQuaizm.org
ture www.BigLiveNa
1
Respect nature!
That means you do not touch animals or plants. Or swim or run after them. Also, you do not scare animals. And you will not take anything from nature home with you. Follow the rules from your local park management organization.
BE SAFE!
2
ES
the DCNA organizes the Big Live Nature Quiz. This is a super fun quiz for kid s in grades 5 and 6 (‘groep 7 and 8’ in the Dutch school system) of primary schools on the Dutch Caribb ean islands. The quiz takes place during school time. Sch ools can decide for themselves whether they pa rticipate.
THE T
H
r
m
RU L
ys a w Al
e em
Don't leave anything behind!
Always make sure you have enough food, drinks, and sunscreen with you. If you go to a national (marine) park, you must stay within the designated areas.
3
The items you bring into nature need to go back home with you! You leave nothing behind. Except for when it is in a bin! So, throw waste in rubbish bins. Do you not see one? Take waste home and dispose of it there.
Did you understand the golden rules? Then you are ready to go out into nature! Take a good look around. Maybe you will see living creatures from this booklet... You can also ask yourself the following questions when you swim or walk through nature:
Which (animal) sounds do I hear?
What is the most remarkable about an animal or plant?
How do plants or animals differ from each other?
L A M I N A
O
US
AC
OD
Underwater animal s can also communicate with ea ch other by making certain move ments. For example, the spinner dolphin often jumps out of the wa ter and makes all sorts of spins! Scien tists think they also make those mo vements to communicate. Every move means something different . For example, “Let's go!” or “I like you!” or “Danger!”.
BA
P
N O TO C
R
MOVEMENTS
HUM
O
Wow! That's a difficult word. But it means that animals can produce and release their own light. They can use this to camouflage, attract, warn, and defend. Ostracods are really small shrimp-like animals. A few days after the full moon, they use bioluminescence to attract mates. Good for them but also for us because it looks beautiful. When you go to the beach at the right time, you can see the water glowing!
OST
N NER D
CO M M
S
PI
LPHIN
s als can use colour Underwater anim e m So . en at to thre to warn others. Or e Th . ur lo co change animals can also l is the fastest of al th do octopus can u yo e tim e rld. By th animals in the wo y ad re has al blink your eye, it r example, he Fo ! ur lo changed co needs to protect does this when he y g eaten. That wa himself from bein m! no one can see hi
municate Underwater animals can com nds. sou g with each other by makin ir the h Fish make these sounds wit und aro s jaws. Or by tightening muscle ?! too t their bladder. Can you do tha h eac With sounds, they can warn indicate other, defend themselves or mals can the way to food. Some ani away. hear sounds from very far usands tho nds sou r hea Whales can ay! aw s tre me of kilo
P
COLOUR
LUMINESCENCE
E
SOUNDS
BIO
AL
ithout y do so w e h t t u B r. ples. each othe ese exam h o t t t lk a a k t o o t is. Just lo lso want ings for th h Animals a t r e h t o ey use words. Th
H
C
N O I T A C I N U OMM
Can you link d e s c r i p t i o ntsh e to the animal t h at d o t h i s ?s
CK W
L A M I N A
O
US
AC
OD
Underwater animal s can also communicate with ea ch other by making certain move ments. For example, the spinner dolphin often jumps out of the wa ter and makes all sorts of spins! Scien tists think they also make those mo vements to communicate. Every move means something different . For example, “Let's go!” or “I like you!” or “Danger!”.
BA
P
N O TO C
R
MOVEMENTS
HUM
O
Wow! That's a difficult word. But it means that animals can produce and release their own light. They can use this to camouflage, attract, warn, and defend. Ostracods are really small shrimp-like animals. A few days after the full moon, they use bioluminescence to attract mates. Good for them but also for us because it looks beautiful. When you go to the beach at the right time, you can see the water glowing!
OST
N NER D
CO M M
S
PI
LPHIN
s als can use colour Underwater anim e m So . en at to thre to warn others. Or e Th . ur lo co change animals can also l is the fastest of al th do octopus can u yo e tim e rld. By th animals in the wo y ad re has al blink your eye, it r example, he Fo ! ur lo changed co needs to protect does this when he y g eaten. That wa himself from bein m! no one can see hi
municate Underwater animals can com nds. sou g with each other by makin ir the h Fish make these sounds wit und aro s jaws. Or by tightening muscle ?! too t their bladder. Can you do tha h eac With sounds, they can warn indicate other, defend themselves or mals can the way to food. Some ani away. hear sounds from very far usands tho nds sou r hea Whales can ay! aw s tre me of kilo
P
COLOUR
LUMINESCENCE
E
SOUNDS
BIO
AL
ithout y do so w e h t t u B r. ples. each othe ese exam h o t t t lk a a k t o o t is. Just lo lso want ings for th h Animals a t r e h t o ey use words. Th
H
C
N O I T A C I N U OMM
Can you link d e s c r i p t i o ntsh e to the animal t h at d o t h i s ?s
CK W
c t s a l p sOup of plastic. We use a lot und you. Just look aro ings made How many th you find? of plastic can
It is e very useful. Plastic can b use. to sy g, and ea cheap, stron s many But it also ha . We use es g disadvanta lastic that half of the p once. Such is made only addition, a shame! In ends up in plastic often in the seas. nature. Also, will not decay. It Plastic does the in d n u oat aro fl to e u n ti n co it only fter a while, a d n A r. te a w ces of into small pie breaks down ics’. ll ‘microplast plastic, we ca
You can also u use ensure that yo than once. plastic more of great There are lots g king somethin ideas for ma ic st la p used new out of a look at the a ke object. Ta ignment fun craft ass on the right!
ft! Crga i nment ass i
Googly eyes
Let’s create a jellyfis h fr om Old from Ol d pl plas asti tic. c.
G Gr re ea at tr rec ecy yc cli lin ng g!! Markers or You wil l nee d: felt tip pens
Plastic bottle
Plastic you cannot use again. For example, an old g. sandwich bag or packagin
Scissors
part of the plastic bottle. This will become the body of the jellyfish.
All that plast ic in the sea is called the pla stic soup. Su per bad for the se a and all the creatures tha t live in it! Fo r example, a tu rtle may thin ka plastic bag is a je choke on it. Th llyfish and at is why we must ensure that no more plastic enters the water. W ill you help by making sure you leave the bea ch clean? Or throw away plastic (and other garbage) tha t you see layi ng around on th e beach?
Step 5: Attach the
Step 2:
Give the plastic bottle some colour with paint. When the paint is dry, you can further decorate it. For example, you can use the back of your paintbrush and some paint to give the jelly dots. Or use glitter!
Step 3: Cut strings from the plastic packaging. Colour it with markers or paint.
(fishing) wire to the jellyfish. The easiest way is to make a small hole in the cap (for example with a thumbtack). Put the wire through the hole and tie a few knots.
Paintbrush
Paint (and anything Fishing wire else you would like (or another to use to decorate type of wire) the jellyfish, like glitter)
Step 1: Cut the upper
Finished! Hang your jellyfish somewhere. If you hang it outside and the wind blows, you have a dancing jellyfish!
Glue
Step 4:
When the plastic strings are dry, attach them to the body of the jellyfish with glue. Stick the googly eyes to the body.
c t s a l p sOup of plastic. We use a lot und you. Just look aro ings made How many th you find? of plastic can
It is e very useful. Plastic can b use. to sy g, and ea cheap, stron s many But it also ha . We use es g disadvanta lastic that half of the p once. Such is made only addition, a shame! In ends up in plastic often in the seas. nature. Also, will not decay. It Plastic does the in d n u oat aro fl to e u n ti n co it only fter a while, a d n A r. te a w ces of into small pie breaks down ics’. ll ‘microplast plastic, we ca
You can also u use ensure that yo than once. plastic more of great There are lots g king somethin ideas for ma ic st la p used new out of a look at the a ke object. Ta ignment fun craft ass on the right!
ft! Crga i nment ass i
Googly eyes
Let’s create a jellyfis h fr om Old from Ol d pl plas asti tic. c.
G Gr re ea at tr rec ecy yc cli lin ng g!! Markers or You wil l nee d: felt tip pens
Plastic bottle
Plastic you cannot use again. For example, an old g. sandwich bag or packagin
Scissors
part of the plastic bottle. This will become the body of the jellyfish.
All that plast ic in the sea is called the pla stic soup. Su per bad for the se a and all the creatures tha t live in it! Fo r example, a tu rtle may thin ka plastic bag is a je choke on it. Th llyfish and at is why we must ensure that no more plastic enters the water. W ill you help by making sure you leave the bea ch clean? Or throw away plastic (and other garbage) tha t you see layi ng around on th e beach?
Step 5: Attach the
Step 2:
Give the plastic bottle some colour with paint. When the paint is dry, you can further decorate it. For example, you can use the back of your paintbrush and some paint to give the jelly dots. Or use glitter!
Step 3: Cut strings from the plastic packaging. Colour it with markers or paint.
(fishing) wire to the jellyfish. The easiest way is to make a small hole in the cap (for example with a thumbtack). Put the wire through the hole and tie a few knots.
Paintbrush
Paint (and anything Fishing wire else you would like (or another to use to decorate type of wire) the jellyfish, like glitter)
Step 1: Cut the upper
Finished! Hang your jellyfish somewhere. If you hang it outside and the wind blows, you have a dancing jellyfish!
Glue
Step 4:
When the plastic strings are dry, attach them to the body of the jellyfish with glue. Stick the googly eyes to the body.
l Rea or fake?
Four crazy underwater animals. But one is fake. Do you know which one?
The frogfish The flying fish g way can 'fly' a lon 500 The flying fish u metimes p to So r. te a w e over th is with do not do th fins. meters! They eir very large th h it w t u b wings,
The first dors al spine of th e Frogfish has been tra nsformed into a fishing rod with a pie ce of meat th at looks like bait. This way he can 'fi sh' for food. It can a lso change co lour!
The firefly fish
The sunfish
The Sunfish has no tai l. Hence its nickname 'the swimmi ng head'. Ocean sunfish can grow up to four meters long. He sunbathes ha lf of the day!
is a deep sea The firefly fish the lives his life in e H . re tu ea cr ght with tes his own li dark and crea t small nce’. They ea ‘bioluminesce dwellers. ther bottom shrimp and o
utdo r y t i v i t c a
I spy with my little eye!
s of things n see all kind ca u yo g n li go into the snorkel don't have to u When you go yo t u B e! ch and Awesom Go to the bea . fe in the water. li e n ri a m meone else parts of , friends, or so ts water to see n re a p , er ther, sist ask your bro ether. ext game tog n e th y la p to tograph e first to pho ing things. See who is th of the follow ve fi ) w ra d r o nd they (or spot e the same a b to ve a h t They don' ur own! cannot be yo
Shell Seaweed Bird in the sky Boat Fish in the water Stick Stone Towel Coral Flipflops Bird standing or sitting Crab Snorkel
Remember the three golden rules! 1. Respect nature! 2. Be safe! 3. Don't leave anything behind!
l Rea or fake?
Four crazy underwater animals. But one is fake. Do you know which one?
The frogfish The flying fish g way can 'fly' a lon 500 The flying fish u metimes p to So r. te a w e over th is with do not do th fins. meters! They eir very large th h it w t u b wings,
The first dors al spine of th e Frogfish has been tra nsformed into a fishing rod with a pie ce of meat th at looks like bait. This way he can 'fi sh' for food. It can a lso change co lour!
The firefly fish
The sunfish
The Sunfish has no tai l. Hence its nickname 'the swimmi ng head'. Ocean sunfish can grow up to four meters long. He sunbathes ha lf of the day!
is a deep sea The firefly fish the lives his life in e H . re tu ea cr ght with tes his own li dark and crea t small nce’. They ea ‘bioluminesce dwellers. ther bottom shrimp and o
utdo r y t i v i t c a
I spy with my little eye!
s of things n see all kind ca u yo g n li go into the snorkel don't have to u When you go yo t u B e! ch and Awesom Go to the bea . fe in the water. li e n ri a m meone else parts of , friends, or so ts water to see n re a p , er ther, sist ask your bro ether. ext game tog n e th y la p to tograph e first to pho ing things. See who is th of the follow ve fi ) w ra d r o nd they (or spot e the same a b to ve a h t They don' ur own! cannot be yo
Shell Seaweed Bird in the sky Boat Fish in the water Stick Stone Towel Coral Flipflops Bird standing or sitting Crab Snorkel
Remember the three golden rules! 1. Respect nature! 2. Be safe! 3. Don't leave anything behind!
. . . s t n e s e r p e p e P f!
himself
e is a polyp. er Pepe? Pep b em m ts. Or rocks. re u Do yo rals are plan co t a th k in th and are People often are animals ls ra Co . g n ro w To make sure But they are little Pepe's! ll a , So s. p ld like to made of poly in, Pepe wou a g a g n ro w no one is ever self. le about him tell you a litt Coral is nt. ry ve importa th Both for o er animals (underwater) le! Just and for peop look at a few examples:
So, coral olyps. consists of p Many polyps coral. together form her et g And coral to l ra forms a co reef.
There is a lot of good food on and around coral. Parrotfishes even eat algae from coral. This keeps the coral healthy.
Algae often live on and in polyps. Thes e small plants give coral its bea utiful colours.
It protects islands and thus people against big waves!
Me and my de friends provi to fish. d o fo d shelter an ct the land. We also prote is very That is why it take good important to ill you care of us! W help too?
It helps scientists in researching new medicines.
Never touch coral! And do not take any pieces of coral with you.
It gives animals shelter from predators. Here you can safely hide!
Some fish rub against coral to soothe their skin.
Only wear 'reef friendly' sunscreen when swimming in the sea. Keep the sea clean. Clean up your trash!
spot the m! prOble rting What is hu rt the polyps?
. . . s t n e s e r p e p e P f!
himself
e is a polyp. er Pepe? Pep b em m ts. Or rocks. re u Do yo rals are plan co t a th k in th and are People often are animals ls ra Co . g n ro w To make sure But they are little Pepe's! ll a , So s. p ld like to made of poly in, Pepe wou a g a g n ro w no one is ever self. le about him tell you a litt Coral is nt. ry ve importa th Both for o er animals (underwater) le! Just and for peop look at a few examples:
So, coral olyps. consists of p Many polyps coral. together form her et g And coral to l ra forms a co reef.
There is a lot of good food on and around coral. Parrotfishes even eat algae from coral. This keeps the coral healthy.
Algae often live on and in polyps. Thes e small plants give coral its bea utiful colours.
It protects islands and thus people against big waves!
Me and my de friends provi to fish. d o fo d shelter an ct the land. We also prote is very That is why it take good important to ill you care of us! W help too?
It helps scientists in researching new medicines.
Never touch coral! And do not take any pieces of coral with you.
It gives animals shelter from predators. Here you can safely hide!
Some fish rub against coral to soothe their skin.
Only wear 'reef friendly' sunscreen when swimming in the sea. Keep the sea clean. Clean up your trash!
spot the m! prOble rting What is hu rt the polyps?
ps, we can Perha be
n e v e g n i t t e g t i s I
tion! olu es
! ? r e t t hO
will get lands. But it is r u o n o nging rm quite wa has been cha te a im cl It is already e h much the future. T has changed it rs even hotter in a e y t n But in rece er. for centuries. getting warm is h rt a e e th faster, and
This is because people are pumping more and more CO2 into the air. For example, by driving a car and through factories. CO2 is a gas that, together with other substances, causes the earth to become warmer. Because the earth is warming up, nature is having a harder time. For example, the sea is also warming up. Can you imagine that you are enjoying a shower or bath and that the water suddenly becomes very hot? That's not nice, right? The animals and plants that live in the sea think so too! This makes them a lot less happy, and they can disappear.
Fortunately, many people are working hard to ensure that less CO2 is released into the air. And to see how we can protect animals and plants. And you know what's really cool? Plants and animals lend a helping hand too! Just look at the whale!
Did you know is that a whale ll? a t a not a fish l. a m m It's a ma
th
d! is a superfoo Whale poop eat it. to ve a h u don't yo y, rr o w t n' Do ese small on love it! Th kt n la p o yt h p it into But CO2 and turn rb so b a ls a im an oxygen.
Whales store a lot of CO2 in their bodies during their life. This is how th ey ensure tha t the earth get s less warm!
So, it is very important th at we take good care of our whales!
ps, we can Perha be
n e v e g n i t t e g t i s I
tion! olu es
! ? r e t t hO
will get lands. But it is r u o n o nging rm quite wa has been cha te a im cl It is already e h much the future. T has changed it rs even hotter in a e y t n But in rece er. for centuries. getting warm is h rt a e e th faster, and
This is because people are pumping more and more CO2 into the air. For example, by driving a car and through factories. CO2 is a gas that, together with other substances, causes the earth to become warmer. Because the earth is warming up, nature is having a harder time. For example, the sea is also warming up. Can you imagine that you are enjoying a shower or bath and that the water suddenly becomes very hot? That's not nice, right? The animals and plants that live in the sea think so too! This makes them a lot less happy, and they can disappear.
Fortunately, many people are working hard to ensure that less CO2 is released into the air. And to see how we can protect animals and plants. And you know what's really cool? Plants and animals lend a helping hand too! Just look at the whale!
Did you know is that a whale ll? a t a not a fish l. a m m It's a ma
th
d! is a superfoo Whale poop eat it. to ve a h u don't yo y, rr o w t n' Do ese small on love it! Th kt n la p o yt h p it into But CO2 and turn rb so b a ls a im an oxygen.
Whales store a lot of CO2 in their bodies during their life. This is how th ey ensure tha t the earth get s less warm!
So, it is very important th at we take good care of our whales!
little ones
grOw
up!!!
Read more about me on the next page!
bably , you will pro In a few years o now. t than you d look differen your ir is different, a h r u yo e b y Ma r, or gotten longe little toe has ly complete ! you've grown
ish
tf stoplight parro
This also happens to some young fish. But sometimes they change so much, you hardly recognize them anymore when they are grown up! Can you link the baby version to the adult version?
*Tip*
Pay close attention to the shape or othe r striking featur es of the fish.
ed y ou the way to go!
spotted drum
French Angelfis The
F re
re ad y
sh
h
ow
blue tang
nch Ange
h lfis
al
sse blue headed wra
little ones
grOw
up!!!
Read more about me on the next page!
bably , you will pro In a few years o now. t than you d look differen your ir is different, a h r u yo e b y Ma r, or gotten longe little toe has ly complete ! you've grown
ish
tf stoplight parro
This also happens to some young fish. But sometimes they change so much, you hardly recognize them anymore when they are grown up! Can you link the baby version to the adult version?
*Tip*
Pay close attention to the shape or othe r striking featur es of the fish.
ed y ou the way to go!
spotted drum
French Angelfis The
F re
re ad y
sh
h
ow
blue tang
nch Ange
h lfis
al
sse blue headed wra
w O b n i a R Of eReef h t h s i F t algae that parrotfish ea r, ie rl a e d a e reef and As you re This keeps th f. e re l ra co uess live on the ealthy. And g h it in s ve li t a ? everything th their food into rn tu sh tfi o rr what pa d that lies ful white san ti u a e b e th In es! on our beach
Craft cOmpetition! There are over 90 species of parrotfishes in the world! They can look very different. For example, just look at these different-looking parrotfish. You would hardly believe they are family!
re o m n e v e e k a m ish! Let's f t o r r a p g n i k o different-lo sh ! ing a parrotfi your own fish Start by draw u Or make p s. ep st e th Follow He ne
eds fins to sw
im!
e outline
First draw th
ils
Add the deta
We make the white sand!
Draw scales
Decorate you r fish drawing You can use different mate rials. Think of pen cil, felt tip pen, and wa x crayon. Or glitter an d fabric. You can make it as crazy as you like! vironment Create an en like, you If you would , colour, w can also dra e or decorate th f the o t environmen fish!
& patterns!
No contest rizes! without p
Scan your artwork (together with an adult such as a parent or teacher). If that does not work, you can also take a photo. Then send the scan or photo to projects@dcnanature.org BEFORE the end of 2023. Please share your name, age, and the island you live on. You might be the one who wins the awesome nature survival pack.
w O b n i a R Of eReef h t h s i F t algae that parrotfish ea r, ie rl a e d a e reef and As you re This keeps th f. e re l ra co uess live on the ealthy. And g h it in s ve li t a ? everything th their food into rn tu sh tfi o rr what pa d that lies ful white san ti u a e b e th In es! on our beach
Craft cOmpetition! There are over 90 species of parrotfishes in the world! They can look very different. For example, just look at these different-looking parrotfish. You would hardly believe they are family!
re o m n e v e e k a m ish! Let's f t o r r a p g n i k o different-lo sh ! ing a parrotfi your own fish Start by draw u Or make p s. ep st e th Follow He ne
eds fins to sw
im!
e outline
First draw th
ils
Add the deta
We make the white sand!
Draw scales
Decorate you r fish drawing You can use different mate rials. Think of pen cil, felt tip pen, and wa x crayon. Or glitter an d fabric. You can make it as crazy as you like! vironment Create an en like, you If you would , colour, w can also dra e or decorate th f the o t environmen fish!
& patterns!
No contest rizes! without p
Scan your artwork (together with an adult such as a parent or teacher). If that does not work, you can also take a photo. Then send the scan or photo to projects@dcnanature.org BEFORE the end of 2023. Please share your name, age, and the island you live on. You might be the one who wins the awesome nature survival pack.
www.dcnanature.org The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) is a non-profit organization established in 2005 to safeguard nature in the Dutch Caribbean by supporting Park Management Organizations (parks).
ABOUT BIONEWS
BioNews is a monthly digital newsletter created by the DCNA that shares nature news from the six Dutch Caribbean islands. You can subscribe to this via the DCNA website. BioNews Kids has this same goal of sharing exciting nature stories targeting the next generation of conservationists.
DONATE DIRECTLY TO NATURE EDUCATION Your support enables parks' Education Officers to improve nature education for children and ensure the future of nature in the Dutch Caribbean! Donations like yours can go directly into supporting Junior Ranger programs on the islands.
MAKE A DONATION
Go to dcnanature.org/donate Select the organization you want to support. ILLUSTRATION AND DeSIGN: Deviate Design, Bonaire FEATURED PhotographY: HANS LEIJNSE, BRENDA KIRKBY, MiCHAEL WORDEN, RUDY v GELDERE, JIM ABERNETHY, marion haarsma, elaine brewer, todd cravens, richard carey, markus kammermann, john cobb, maria rubio, mark vermeij, Anna Syme
DCNA'S ACTIVITIES ARE GENErously SPONSORED BY
Third issue!