Before a major project can become reality, many conditions must be met. This is now evident with the proposed Red Snapper fish farming initiative in Aruba’s territorial waters, first introduced in 2023, which appears to be facing serious challenges.
The project, developed by Petros Aquaculture, attracted attention last year with ambitious plans. In 2024, representatives of the company visited Aruba to present their vision: turning the island into a key exporter of farm-raised Red Snapper.
Following their presentation, the Aruban government commissioned an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which has since been completed. However, according to a recent study, Aruba lacks the infrastructure required to support the project on the scale proposed. The key issue is wastewater treatment—an area where the island already faces capacity limitations. The project would significantly increase demand for wastewater purification, far beyond the current system’s capabilities.
The initiative includes a marine farming zone, onshore processing facilities, a pier, and massive underwater cages in territorial waters. The group’s plan is to start with an annual output of 500 tons of fish, eventually expanding to 2,000 tons.
As part of the approval process, a comprehensive report was prepared on the project’s environmental and ecological impacts, at the request of the Aruban government. The assessment followed the highest international standards. The Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), which conducted the review, does not determine whether the project is desirable. Instead, it evaluates the quality and completeness of the information provided in the report.
Simone Filippini, chair of the advisory group, noted:
“Aruba is demonstrating leadership by commissioning and independently evaluating an environmental impact report. With the additions we recommend, Aruba will be in a strong position to make a decision that accounts for all environmental, social, and socio-economic effects of the project.”
Among its recommendations, the commission emphasized the need for more data on Aruba’s fragile marine ecosystem. The island’s coral reefs have been deteriorating for years, and waste from fish farming could accelerate this damage. The commission advised that the impact on the reefs—especially at a production level of 2,000 tons per year—be thoroughly assessed. It also called for an investigation into whether wastewater could be treated within the project itself, given that Aruba’s current treatment plants may not have the required capacity.
The commission also highlighted uncertainties about the project’s practical feasibility, as well as its environmental and socio-economic consequences. As a result, it recommends that the government delay a final decision and instead allow time to supplement the environmental report with additional data—specifically, the effects of producing 2,000 tons of fish annually, the strain this would place on wastewater treatment systems, and its impact on Aruba’s coral reefs.
It is understood that the government has agreed to follow the commission’s recommendations.
