Introduced by Patrick van Brakel

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The lionfish invasion in the Caribbean is a growing ecological threat, and in Aruba, this challenge has sparked a wave of innovation. Since 2009, local leader Patrick van Brakel has been actively hunting lionfish and turning this invasive species into a local delicacy through his initiative LionFish Snack Aruba.

In partnership with local organizations like the Caribbean Lionfish Alliance and Aruba Reef Care, Patrick is now working on a groundbreaking solution: adapting NOAA-designed deepwater traps to target lionfish populations beyond recreational diving depths. The goal is clear — to empower local fishers and transform an ecological threat into a sustainable economic opportunity.

At ICMS 2025, Island Lab #1 takes you beyond the surface — deep into the heart of one of the Caribbean’s most pressing ecological challenges: the invasion of lionfish in deep waters. This isn’t just a workshop. It’s a call to action. Together with Patrick van Brakel, we’ll co-design new paths forward. Biologists, engineers, oceanographers, sociologists, entrepreneurs, and policy makers will come together to brainstorm, prototype, and test bold ideas that could shift the tide of this invasion.

Real people. Real problems. Real impact.

Be part of this living lab — a space where knowledge flows, disciplines blend, and the future of the oceans is shaped one idea at a time.