Mangroves are nature's way of building land mass. On Bonaire, the mangrove area at Lac, for generations, has been the island incubator for the various species of fish that thrive in Bonaire's water. The remnants of the old trees can still be seen.
The fisherman recognized the importance of mangroves to the eco-system. They used to ply the canopied waterways in their boats, fishing and harvesting mangrove twigs. They used the long, pliable sticks to make mats, window coverings and other useful items. This was done by slicing the twigs into long pieces and weaving them into the desired items. Now that the mangroves are protected and the old fishermen have passed on, this art has been lost.
Today the mangroves are protected and used as a recreation area. Guided kayaks tours or snorkel trips are a good way to delve into the island's past.
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