Saba News News and Information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean
The Dutch Caribbean Research Week (DCRW2026) proudly announces the keynote and plenary speakers. From 17 to 24 June 2026, leading voices from research, policy, and society will come together for six thematic conference days across six Caribbean islands. With the full program now published on www.dcrw.nl, participants may explore an engaging week of keynote lectures, plenary sessions, panel discussions, and cultural intermezzi, all centered on issues that matter to the Dutch Caribbean. Keynote speakers: Across the six conference days, the following keynote speakers will deliver addresses thatframe each day’s theme and stimulate dialogue between researchers, policymakers, and societal partners: Drs. Stephanie Croes (Aruba) Dr. Soraya Verstraeten (Curacao) Drs. Elly Rojer (Bonaire) Drs. Oliver Klokman (Saba) Drs. Raymond Jesserun (Sint Maarten) Island Governor Alida Francis (Sint Eustatius) You can find the topics of keynote speakers in the conference program: www.dcrw.nl/speakers. Register for DCRW2026 Participation in the Dutch Caribbean Research Week 2026 is free of charge, but registration is required for both live and online attendance. Register for DCRW2026 via www.dcrw.nl/registration. Explore the full program. The complete program for all six islands of DCRW2026—including sessions, timings, keynote speakers, and participation formats—is now available online. View the full DCRW2026 program on www.dcrw.nl/programme. About the Dutch Caribbean Research Week The Dutch Caribbean Research Week 2026 (DCRW2026) is a free multi-day conference in Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Maarten, and Sint Eustatius, aimed at providing a platform to bring researchers from the Caribbean science community together. This event features lectures, panel discussions, cultural performances, and networking opportunities. On 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, and 24 of June 2026, the Dutch Research Council (NWO) organizes the fifth Dutch Caribbean Research Week (DCRW2026). You are welcome to contact us at dcrw@nwo.nl if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you at DCRW2026! DCRW
- May 15, 2026
The Search for Mr. Erik Matthijsen – updated May 15
Update May 15, Following another full day of searching, Mr. Matthijsen has not yet been found. Teams have been extensively thorough in their search for him on and off trails, checking possible venture points and viewpoints. The helicopter of the contractor for the Mt. Scenery tower project has been used, as well as the medical evacuation helicopter, for more aerial support. Marines are still checking trails on the ground and making observations with drones. Yesterday, these efforts were also combined with coastal checks from the Coast Guard’s boat, the DASH patrol airplane, and rangers from Saba Conservation Foundation leading hikes on all possible trails that Mr. Matthijsen could have traversed. The search location was narrowed down to the Middle Island Trail and its surrounding areas. Early in the day tomorrow, ground teams will continue the search, with guides from SCF. We are also actively exploring all other avenues that could assist with finding Mr. Matthijsen. Original post Mr. Erik Matthijsen is a man in his 50s and an experienced hiker. He set out on a trail in the Wells Bay area of Saba at around 11:00 a.m. He is a member of the team working on the Mount Scenery Tower Project and is well known as an active outdoorsman. By the end of the day, he had not returned. Mr. Erik Matthijsen Authorities quickly issued a public alert, asking anyone who had seen him to contact emergency services via 911. The public was asked to stay off the trails and to leave the searching to the professionals. Later that night, a crisis team gathered to discuss next steps, and a drone with thermal imaging capabilities was sent to scout the area. Attempts were also made to trace his phone. By 6:30 the following morning, Erik had still not been found. A fully coordinated search was launched, drawing in teams from the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF), the Coast Guard, and HANAB, the contractors connected to the Mount Scenery Tower Project. The contractor’s helicopter, already on the island for the tower project, was also brought in to assist with aerial searches. Through WhatsApp messages, the public was asked to stay off several specific trails, i.e., the Ladder Bay, Middle Island, North Coast, and All Too Far trails, so as not to hinder the operation. As the day wore on, the search intensified. Camera footage analysis helped confirm and narrow the search zone, ruling out several areas and concentrating efforts on the region between the Middle Island and Sulphur Mine trails. Ground teams, guided by SCF, methodically worked through all identified trails, probable off-trail routes, and coastal viewpoints. The Coast Guard conducted sea searches with their vessel and drones, and aerial footage and coverage was provided by the contractor’s helicopter and the Coast Guard’s DASH patrol airplane. The ground searches were called off for safety reasons at nightfall, but the operation went on. Thermal imaging drones and handheld cameras were deployed through the night, taking advantage of dropping temperatures to more easily detect heat signals in the narrowed search zone. Island Governor Jonathan Johnson confirmed that the crisis team had arranged for the drones to run continuously, with ground teams resuming again at first light. The Ladder Bay trail was cleared and reopened to the public. Throughout the operation, gratitude was extended to an extensive network of partners: KPCN, BKCN, the Ministry of Defense, the Coast Guard, Marines, the National Crisis Center, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, the Saba Conservation Foundation, and the many volunteers who gave their time. The search for Erik Matthijsen continues. PES
The Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF) proudly welcomed Prime Minister Rob Jetten during his recent visit to Saba. The Prime Minister was received by Peter Johnson, Chairman of the SCF Supervisory Board, and the SCF team. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to present the breadth and significance of Saba’s conservation work directly to national government leadership and to formally raise the issue of structural funding for nature and park management in the Caribbean Netherlands. The Visit During the meeting at SCF, the Prime Minister received a comprehensive presentation on Saba’s exceptional biodiversity, the importance of the island’s three national parks, and the scope of ongoing work required to manage and protect these unique natural areas. The presentation emphasized the significance of Saba’s ecosystems not only for biodiversity conservation but also for sustainable tourism, coastal resilience, community wellbeing, and the island’s cultural and economic identity. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Jetten visited the SCF Research Center, where he observed innovative coral reef restoration research led by Van Hall Larenstein University of Applied Sciences (VHL). VHL drives the scientific program from the SCF Research Center, bringing institutional research expertise to one of the most pressing challenges facing Caribbean marine ecosystems. Saba’s Conservation Responsibilities SCF manages two nationally significant protected areas: the Saba National Marine Park and Mount Scenery National Park. In addition, SCF carries operational responsibilities for the Saba Bank, in collaboration with Wageningen Marine Research. Together, these areas encompass some of the most ecologically significant marine and terrestrial habitats in the Caribbean Netherlands. From the cloud forest of Mount Scenery to the coral ecosystems of the Saba Bank, one of the largest carbonate platforms in the Atlantic, SCF carries broad conservation, monitoring, enforcement, education, and visitor management responsibilities. A small, dedicated team carries out these obligations in a context of chronic underfunding relative to the scale of the mandate. A Significant Step Toward Structural Funding During the visit, officials formally presented Prime Minister Jetten with a joint letter requesting structural funding for nature and park management across the Caribbean Netherlands. SCF was a principal signatory to this letter, which also carries the endorsement of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance and WWF Netherlands. The letter represents a significant step in SCF’s ongoing efforts to secure a sustainable and predictable financial basis for its conservation work. Further details on the content and signatories of the letter are available on request. “We are grateful for the Prime Minister’s engagement with the conservation challenges facing the Caribbean Netherlands. This visit reflects an important recognition of the role these protected areas play, not only for biodiversity but also for sustainable tourism, climate resilience, and the well-being of our communities. We look forward to continuing discussions on establishing a sustainable and reliable funding framework for nature management across the BES islands.” Kai Wulf,
Single-vehicle collision On Tuesday, the 12th of May, around 1:20 PM, the central control room received a report of a single-vehicle collision on Airport Road, at the intersection with Dinda Road on Saba. A car crashed into a stone wall, presumably because the brakes were not working properly. Paramedics arrived at the scene to provide medical assistance to the driver. Arrest for Violation of the BES Opium Act SABA On Monday, the 11st of May, around 5:05 PM, a 50-year-old man with the initials C.A.P. was arrested on Thais Hill Road on Saba for violating the BES Opium Act. A search was subsequently conducted at a residence on Airport Road. The investigation into this case is ongoing. KPCN
- May 13, 2026
Tax incentive for farming in BES
The Dutch government intends to stimulate agriculture in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (so-called BES islands) with fiscal benefits. These are part of a larger package of measures to modernise the tax system. State Secretary for Finance Eelco Eerenberg sent his proposal for a legislative amendment to the House of Representatives last week. The new rules are to take effect on January 1 of next year. “Local agriculture occupies a central position regarding increasing the self-reliance of public bodies. That position is becoming increasingly important. One of the cabinet’s objectives is that by around 2030, agriculture will be able to contribute more structurally to the local food supply and economy,” wrote the D66 state secretary in an explanatory note. To stimulate farming, an incentive will be introduced for locally produced goods used in the sector. No General Spending ‘Pax ABB needs to be paid on these. “This could, for example, involve the production of fencing to delineate a plot of land,” explained Eerenberg. An exemption already applied when those goods were imported. The second benefit is an exemption from transfer tax upon the transfer of so-called agricultural land used for farming. The latter consists of areas designated for specific forms of agrarian activities, such as livestock farming, arable farming, horticulture, and hydroponics. “This measure, like the previously mentioned exemption on the ABB, aims to stimulate local agriculture by reducing fiscal barriers,” according to Eerenberg. The package also includes changes to other taxes. Examples include the introduction of the authority to deliver writs of execution by post and the introduction of the authority for the tax authorities to force vehicles to stop. The latter is permitted, for example, if a driver has not paid their tax despite a writ of execution. Furthermore, the property tax is being increased for hotels that are not owned by natural persons. The Daily Herald.
- May 12, 2026
Fire service experts from the Netherlands visit Saba
A Dutch delegation of fire service ad crisis management experts visited Saba this week for consultations with local stakeholders on the further development of fire services and emergency preparedness on the island. The mission focused on strengthening the organisation of the fire service and developing a future-proof coverage plan. Working alongside the Fire Department Caribbean Netherlands (Brandweerkorps Caribisch Nederland, BKCN), the delegation held discussions with key partners, including representatives from the airport, harbour, tourism sector, spatial planning department, and the Public Entity Saba. As part of the visit, the delegation also made a courtesy call on Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, where cooperation between stakeholders and ongoing developments on the island were discussed. The visit forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Saba’s resilience and ensure a well-prepared community, both now and in the future. The Daily Herald.
- May 11, 2026
Prime Minister Rob Jetten Visits Saba
Yesterday, Prime Minister Rob Jetten arrived on Saba, and was welcomed by Island Governor Jonathan Johnson and Island Secretary Bram Streppel. Prime Minister Jetten met with the Executive Council to discuss a range of important topics including the high cost of living, connectivity challenges, and tourism development. The urgent need for improved air connectivity through a PSO was emphasized, as well as the effects of rising transportation and fuel costs on the cost of living. “What we typically see is that prices go up, but seldom go down and being at the end of the supply chain has a great impact on costs on Saba. We are continuously looking into and focusing on areas where prices can really be influenced and hopefully reduced,” said Commissioner Zagers. Potential measures brought forward by the Executive Council included the lowering of excise duties on products such as fuel, which could help ease some of the financial pressure on residents. Phase two of the solar park project was also mentioned as a strong initiative aimed at reducing electricity costs for the community over the long term. Additionally, the Executive Council highlighted the complexities surrounding border control and supply chain logistics, and the importance of recognizing the unique needs of each BES island. The Prime Minister was also updated on the island’s first Spatial Development Plan currently in progress, and the island’s focus on maintaining the proud title of “The Unspoiled Queen.” A visit was then made to the Black Rocks Harbor project, where work is steadily progressing. Project Director Peter Biemond provided an overview of the current phase of the development, including the construction of the breakwater and arrival of Xblocs in batches, with additional units being produced in Sint Eustatius. Commissioner Bruce Zagers described the development as the biggest project in Saba’s history, which will be a monumental symbol of resilience and safety, following years of hurricane related damages to the current harbor. The delegation also visited the Saba Conservation Foundation, where they were welcomed by Supervisory Board Member Peter Johnson and Director Kai Wulf. The SCF team presented updates on ongoing environmental and conservation initiatives that seek to preserve Saba’s rich biodiversity, the protection and relocation of coral, trail maintenance, environmental education, preservation of the cloud forest with the ongoing Mount Scenery tower redevelopment, and long-term conservation planning. Presentations highlighted the relocation of more than 1,200 coral colonies from the area of the new harbor, as well as coral propagation and nursery projects. Additional discussions focused on the ecological importance of the Saba Bank, the largest marine park within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. SCF noted that while their responsibilities are quite extensive, local capacity struggles to match their scale, calling for more support through structural funding. Prime Minister Jetten then joined members of the Island Council for lunch before visiting the Saba Cares nursing home in observance of Mother’s Day. During the visit, roses were distributed to mothers at the home and staff members, and the Prime Minister toured the newly constructed building at the facility. The final stop of the day was at the St. Johns Campus, where plans are underway for the construction of a new gymnasium, technical school and Enrichment center. Head of Community Development and Culture Rosalyn Johnson and Project Manager Carine Ghazzi presented the masterplan and highlighted the positive impact these new facilities will have Saba. In particular, the Enrichment center, funded through the Regio Deal, is envisioned as a multipurpose space focused on educational, cultural, and community development activities. The Prime Minister noted the innovative use of space within the entire project, including the proposed rooftop play area of the gym and the campus’ focus on multifunctional community use. Reflecting on his visit, Prime Minister Jetten stated, “It’s truly impressive to see the many construction projects underway on Saba, especially at Black Rocks Harbor, which is so important for Saba’s future economy. I also visited the Saba Cares nursing home and the Saba Enrichment Center in St. Johns. There I saw clearly that, however small this island may be, Saba is big on community spirit.” “The overarching theme of today, and indeed my whole visit to the Caribbean parts of our Kingdom, is how we can work together in the years ahead,” he added. “We are one Kingdom, and working together on the basis of equality and respect is both a joint task and a common interest of our countries and our peoples.” The Public Entity Saba thanks Prime Minister Jetten for his visit and the open dialogue on Saba’s development. Saba marked the second stop on the Prime Minister’s tour through the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom. He will continue onward to Sint Eustatius tomorrow. PES
On behalf of Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland (RCN), Opinion Carib recently completed a media research study examining how residents across the Caribbean Netherlands get their news. Last Thursday, RCN presented the findings, and the numbers paint a clear picture: Saba-News.com remains the go-to source for local news on the island. Among respondents who visit local news websites, 88.5 percent named Saba-News.com as their source, making it the dominant online news platform on Saba by a wide margin. BES-Reporter followed at 69.2 percent, with Caribbean Network at 23.1 percent, Dossier Koninkrijksrelaties at 11.5 percent, and Bonaire.nu at 7.7 percent. The survey also confirmed what many already know: radio remains a vital part of daily life in the Windward Islands. On Saba, Voice of Saba led the market with a reach of 62.5 percent, a testament to the enduring role of community radio in keeping islanders connected and informed. RCN
- May 10, 2026
Public Entity Saba Connects with Future Talent at “Working in the Caribbean” Career Fair
The Public Entity Saba proudly participated in the “Working in the Caribbean – Career Fair” held on April 24th and 25th in the Netherlands, where hundreds of students, young professionals, and job seekers gathered to explore career opportunities within the Caribbean region. Representing the Public Entity Saba at Stand #149 were Tessa Alexander, Learning and Development Specialist; Jade Every and Charvella Wilson – Saba/NL Student Representatives; and Dirk Wolters, HR Advisor. Over the course of two engaging days, the team connected with many individuals interested in learning more about career opportunities, professional growth, and life on the island of Saba. The career fair provided an excellent platform to not only promote employment opportunities within the Public Entity Saba, but also to showcase Saba as a unique and welcoming destination to live, work, and visit. Meaningful conversations were held with students and young professionals, many of whom expressed interest in contributing their knowledge and skills to Caribbean communities in the future. For the Public Entity Saba, participating in events such as these remains an important part of strengthening connections with Saban students abroad and encouraging the possible return of local talent to the island. The Public Entity Saba extends sincere thanks to Memory Events (Carriere Beurs and Werken in de Caribbean) for the collaboration and organization of the event. We also extend our appreciation to everyone who contributed to making the participation a success. Together, we continue building connections, creating opportunities, and investing in the future of Saba. PES
Mark your calendars — June 13th is a day to celebrate! We’re coming together to honor the incredible legacy of our Island Governor Jonathan Johnson as he wraps up his final term as Island Governor of Saba. It’s been a journey of dedication, service, and heart, and we want to give him the send-off he truly deserves! Come join us for this special farewell event and be part of a moment we’ll all remember. Stay tuned — more details and the full program are coming your way in the weeks ahead. You won’t want to miss this! PES
