My name is Sanne Grommers, and I am an MSc Strategic Product Design student at TU Delft. For my graduation project, I am developing a strategic conservation framework for Diergaarde Blijdorp (Rotterdam Zoo). The goal of this framework is to foster sustainable collaborations between local stakeholders, such as communities and nature organizations, and international parties like Diergaarde Blijdorp.
The central case study for my graduation project is RoffaReefs, an initiative by Diergaarde Blijdorp that focuses on restoring coral reefs and fish populations on Bonaire through an innovative floating fish farming system. RoffaReefs provides a unique context to explore how conservation programs can be effectively implemented in collaboration with local communities.
Recently, I completed an intensive research period on Bonaire, during which I interviewed over ten local organizations, including Piskabon (the fishers' union), STINAPA (Foundation for National Parks), WWF Dutch Caribbean, and DCNA (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance). Using methods such as Q-sorting, I gathered valuable insights into the opportunities, challenges, and priorities surrounding conservation and conservation initiatives. It was incredibly enriching to meet everyone, explore the island, and experience the RoffaReefs program in practice.
In the coming months, I will focus on analyzing the interviews conducted on Bonaire and interviewing staff from Diergaarde Blijdorp and other relevant stakeholders in the Netherlands. With these combined insights, I will design a framework that supports Blijdorp in establishing sustainable conservation programs with both local and international impact.
