wild shores of singapore

Western Island timeline, reclamation profile TBD: Chee Hong Tat

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 21:38:03 +0000

Details of the upcoming western island, such as its reclamation profile, land use plans, construction methods and timeline, have yet to be determined, said Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat in a written response to Parliamentary Questions raised by 13 MPs from both sides of the House.

Pulau Jong and The Landfill from natural Pulau Semakau
all enclosed in the profile announced by the PM.

The Government will conduct technical studies to inform development plans, including the reclamation profile. “We have been and will continue to engage stakeholders early, including nature groups, domain experts and descendants of former island communities and community representatives,”

Timeline, reclamation profile of new western island not yet determined: Chee Hong Tat
Ang Qing Straits Times Sep 08, 2026, 10:15 PM

SINGAPORE – Details of the upcoming western island, such as its reclamation profile, land use plans, construction methods and timeline, have yet to be determined, said Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat on Sept 8.

In a written response to parliamentary questions raised by 13 MPs on both sides of the House about the planning and impacts of the new development, Chee noted that a project of this scale is complex and technically challenging.

The Government will conduct technical studies to inform development plans, including the reclamation profile, he said. At the same time, it will also continue to engage stakeholders, including nature groups and descendants of former island communities, on the plans for the area.

“These include feasibility studies, site investigations and surveys, as well as engineering and environmental studies, to better understand development possibilities and their preliminary impact on areas like geology, hydrology and biodiversity,” Chee said.

He said the Government recognises that the existing islands and surrounding waters are an important part of natural biodiversity, and hold historical and cultural significance for former island communities, including the Orang Pulau and Orang Laut.

“We have been and will continue to engage stakeholders early, including nature groups, domain experts and descendants of former island communities and community representatives,” he added.

The plan to merge several southern islands to form a new industrial island, dubbed the western island, for future energy, industry and defence needs was first mooted by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the National Day Rally on Aug 23.

A preliminary outline of the development area, which is near Jurong Island, showcased during the rally showed that some of the affected islands could include Pulau Semakau, Pulau Bukom and Pulau Sudong.

Following the announcement, scientists, nature and heritage groups, descendants of former islanders, as well as other stakeholders of Singapore’s marine community, called for more details about the developmental plans. They also expressed concern that the works could impact the area’s rich marine biodiversity and result in the loss of heritage.

Ahead of the September parliamentary sitting, MPs asked about the environmental impact of the plans, how the Government will incorporate heritage and community considerations, as well as its plans to consult different stakeholders.

For instance, Charlene Chen (Tampines GRC) had asked whether the Government will consider conducting cumulative environmental impact assessments where multiple reclamation, dredging or coastal development projects may affect the same marine ecosystems.

Chee said in response that government agencies will “coordinate closely to comprehensively manage the cumulative environmental impact of projects in close proximity”.

WP Non-Constituency MP Andre Low had also asked whether the studies will be made public.

Chee said the environmental study report will be made available for public feedback. Inputs from stakeholders will be carefully considered before plans are finalised, he added.

He said: “As with any development decision, the Government will need to consider many factors, such as ecological and heritage impact, as well as the needs of current and future generations, before making a final decision.”

Separately, Valerie Lee (Pasir Ris-Changi GRC) and Edward Chia (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) had asked the Ministry of Trade and Industry why Jurong Island could not accommodate the activities that the upcoming western island is envisioned to host.

Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng said in a written response on Sept 8 that Jurong Island spans about 3,000ha, of which less than one-third remains available for development.

“The remaining vacant land has been earmarked to support our growth focus on specialty chemicals and sustainable materials, and to cater for new energy development, decarbonisation solutions, and low-carbon data centres,” he added.

Tan said the new western island will give future generations the space to meet new requirements and pursue opportunities “beyond what can be seen and imagined today”.

He said as part of the planning process, the Government’s studies will enable better understanding of the various development possibilities and their implications on biodiversity, hydrodynamics, marine navigation as well as existing business operations.

He noted that the Government has begun engaging stakeholders to gather their views and reiterated that their feedback will be carefully considered before any development plans are finalised.

MPs ask about better protection for children and youth, impact of western island reclamation plans
Wong Yang Straits Times Sep 07, 2026, 09:04 PM

SINGAPORE - Protections for children and youth and plans to merge several southern islands through reclamation will be on the agenda when Parliament sits this week.

. . .

Plans to create a new “western island” by reclaiming land to merge several southern islands will also come under scrutiny, with at least seven questions filed on the topic.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had announced at the 2026 National Day Rally that an island for industry, energy and defence needs would be reclaimed in the coming decades.

The area for potential reclamation, which covers about 592.8ha, contains marine habitats like coral reefs and seagrass meadows.

Charlene Chen (Tampines GRC) asked if the Government will consider conducting cumulative environmental impact assessments where multiple reclamation, dredging or coastal development projects may affect the same marine ecosystems.

WP’s He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC) asked how government agencies are engaging with former residents of the islands affected by the planned reclamation.

She also asked how heritage and community considerations arising from the islands’ history will be factored into land use and design plans for the reclaimed area.

Building a city for both people and nature
Our responsibility is not to choose one objective at the expense of the other, but to plan carefully for both.
Chee Hong Tat Straits Times Sep 07, 2026, 05:00 AM

Recent discussions about places such as Maju Forest, Gillman Barracks and our western islands reflect something important: many Singaporeans care deeply about the natural environment around us.

I do too. Our forests, mangroves and coastlines are not simply undeveloped land waiting for another use. They are habitats built up over decades, sometimes much longer. They support biodiversity, cool our city, connect ecological systems, and provide places of respite and wonder.

So when Singaporeans ask whether a City in Nature should conserve more of these existing habitats, it is a fair and important question.

There is no simple answer. In land-scarce Singapore, we also have to provide for the many needs of current and future generations – homes, jobs, transport, energy, climate resilience and national security. And as a city-state, these pressures are especially intense, because we have no hinterland where we can site a nation’s needs.

Our responsibility is therefore not to choose one objective at the expense of the other. It is to plan carefully for both.
Making room for future generations

Mature forests, mangroves and coastal habitats have ecological value that cannot simply be replaced by planting new trees or creating new parks.

We want our children to be able to immerse themselves in nature, marvel at the rich biodiversity around them, and experience the calm that nature provides.

But we also have a responsibility to plan for their other needs.

Our children will need good jobs made possible because we create space for new industries. They will require transport, energy and climate infrastructure built ahead of time. They should inherit a nation that remains safe and secure. All of these require land.

Housing is another pressing need. Households are getting smaller, with many more people wanting homes of their own, including singles and seniors, while staying near family for mutual care and support.

Access to good and affordable public housing for every Singaporean has been part of our social compact since independence, and remains a commitment of this Government. To fulfil these aspirations, we have to plan ahead and ensure sufficient housing supply.

The difficult question is: How do we meet these needs while ensuring that nature remains an integral part of Singapore?

Planning for both

We cannot answer this by looking at each parcel of land in isolation.

Nature functions as a connected system. Ecological networks link our forests, waterways, mangroves and coastal habitats.

Our development needs are interconnected too. Homes require transport and amenities. Businesses require infrastructure. Energy and climate resilience require land and coastal space. National security requires areas for critical capabilities.

There will be occasions when development must proceed to meet an important national need.

There will also be occasions when conservation should prevail. And in many cases, thoughtful planning allows us to do both – changing the footprint of a development, retaining important habitats and ecological connections, and weaving nature into the places we build.

This is where science guides how we balance development and conservation.

The National Parks Board’s Ecological Profiling Exercise identifies our important biodiversity areas and the ecological corridors connecting them. This gives us an islandwide picture of how different habitats relate to one another.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Long-Term Plan and Master Plan in turn map out Singapore’s future needs, including an islandwide network of parks, nature areas, waterways and ecological links. This provides a long-term vision for where nature will be conserved, restored and expanded as Singapore develops.

At the site level, developments that may have significant environmental impacts are also subject to environmental impact assessments, which help agencies understand ecological value, assess potential impacts and develop mitigation measures.

Development and conservation decisions are integrated holistically within this broader framework.

We do not start from the assumption that every piece of land identified for possible development must be fully developed. Environmental studies and public feedback can and do change our plans.

For example, the upcoming Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat Nature Park was initially planned for industrial use. After careful study, we decided to conserve it due to its close ecological connection with Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. It will become one of Singapore’s larger nature parks.

Where development does proceed, we work with stakeholders to minimise ecological impact and incorporate nature wherever possible. Bidadari is one example where HDB worked with the Nature Society Singapore to retain an important hillock used by migratory birds. HDB also planned housing and community spaces to be seamlessly connected to Bidadari Park and Bidadari Greenway, so residents can enjoy daily contact with nature.

Moving past binaries

This illustrates another important point. Our choices are not always binary: develop and lose nature, or conserve and gain nature. Nature can regenerate. Ecological connections can be strengthened. And development itself can sometimes create the conditions for new ecological value to emerge.

Sungei Api-Api in Pasir Ris is a good example. We created this canal to improve drainage capacity and manage stormwater flows more effectively. But we also carefully designed it to harness natural tidal processes and sediment flows. Together with the planting of native mangroves, these conditions enabled the habitat to regenerate and expand over time.

Today, it is a thriving mangrove ecosystem.

That is why we should look at Singapore’s ecological balance sheet as a whole.

We have to consider the ecological value of each site, but we also have to consider the larger picture – how Singapore’s natural systems fit together, and how they change over time.

Today, more than 7,800ha of land is set aside for green spaces. This will increase to 8,800ha by 2035. We are also extending our park connector network, restoring habitats and waterways, and bringing greenery directly into our estates and buildings. All households will be within a 10-minute walk of a park by 2030.

Our aim is to strengthen this overall ecological system over time – improving the quality of our habitats, the biodiversity they sustain, how well they are connected, and the resilience of our natural environment.

Making difficult choices together

Science helps us understand the ecological consequences of our choices.

We must then weigh these alongside the needs of people, communities and Singapore as a whole.

These choices often involve competing considerations, and there will be different views on where the balance should be struck.

That is why we engage nature groups, researchers, residents and members of the public as we develop our plans.

We will continue to listen carefully, engage deeply and take these views seriously. There will not always be consensus.

Where the case for conservation is strong, we are prepared to adjust our plans.

Where development remains necessary, we will explain the reasons clearly, minimise the impact as far as possible, and work with stakeholders to find better ways to proceed.

Ultimately, these are judgments that the Government must make on behalf of Singapore and Singaporeans. We have to carefully weigh the needs and ecological value of each site, while also considering the needs of our country as a whole and over the longer term.

Difficult choices

These are difficult choices, but they are not new ones for Singapore.

From the earliest years of nation-building, we have had to make space for development while protecting and restoring the natural environment around us. By the 1930s, Singapore had lost most of its original forest cover to agriculture and development.

After independence, we transformed polluted rivers into clean waterways. We planted trees across the island, created nature reserves and nature parks, restored mangroves and strengthened ecological connections.

At the same time, we set aside land for homes, new industries, critical infrastructure and national security, so that each generation inherited the capacity to build on the success of the last.

Today, Singapore is both a thriving global city and one of the greenest cities in the world. We got here by planning for development and nature together.

That is what we will continue to do – so that our people and our natural environment can thrive together in our City in Nature.

Chee Hong Tat is Minister for National Development.

70 pax to Pulau Hantu on a ferry? CAN!

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 00:48:39 +0000

Mass visits to our Mother Shores, can? We test this out during our annual Family Day for regular team members. Who valiantly brought family and friends from all ages and backgrounds to visit Pulau Hantu at a high tide (2m).

Despite the hazy day, most enjoyed the stroll around the island, although many would have preferred a low tide visit. We had a little booth to share photos of the Mother Shores. Her biodiversity as well as history. A scope to look at more distant places (challenging with the haze). And everyone shared heartfelt thoughts about their hopes and dreams for Pulau Hantu.

At high tide, it is not possible to walk from Hantu Besar to Hantu Kecil (without getting really wet). But we still had a nice time exploring the high shore of Hantu Besar. Exciting finds included the Blue striped hermit crabs (seems so much more common at high tide - or maybe we miss them at low tide because we don't look so closely at the high shore). Also mudskippers, gobies, and many kinds of birds flying about. On the island, there were pretty butterflies and interesting insects.

I had a quick look at the mangroves. They somehow look nicer at high tide surrounded by clear waters. In the distance, the mangroves that have settled on the artificial seawall. On the low shore, a variety of old and young mangrove trees. On the high tide line among the Gelang laut plants, many young mangrove saplings have settled down. If we leave things alone, we might get a mangrove on Pulau Hantu!

The Sea almonds are turning red, a seasonal event that gives a feeling of 'autumn' on our shores. The trees here are so tall the buttress roots come up to our shoulder! We walk along the footprints of shorebirds. And come across Saga seed trees.

Thanks to Chui Qing and family for discovering the best station. Chilling in the breeze at the jetty looking down on the corals and reef life in water that is quite clear. Or at the landscapes on the horizon. They saw a very large cuttlefish, also sharks and other fishes.

Thanks to Samuel and Raphael for getting a scope for us to see things in the distance (a bit challenging due to the haze). But we still managed to get a good look at the Sudong reclamation. (Group photo by Richard Kuah).

The favourite booth was the one with Richard's photos of marine life that can be seen on Pulau Hantu and our Mother Shores. As well as historical sites in the area. Richard's sharing about the photos was a special treat. Thanks to the ladies from RP for helping to set up, and for everyone who obliged with my bad attempt at photo booth props - mama corals and mama mangroves...maybe too cheesy?

How wonderful to have two families with young kids with us. Seems the kids enjoyed 'touching sand' and the family made memories together. Thanks to Jason for bringing his family, and his RP students, and this photo!

Thanks also to Mathias and Rachael for guiding their friends, so that the rest of us could scope out what is possible at high tide. Thanks also to Ian for documenting our trip. And Lon for trying his best to launch the underwater drone. Quite hard to do at high tide. Samuel also flew the aerial drone.

The most precious gift were the heartfelt thoughts shared by participants. About their hopes and dreams for Pulau Hantu. From the littlest ones and the youths, to the young at heart.

Here's a few of the important thoughts shared. Full photos in this flickr album Pulau Hantu Guestbook.

Thanks to everyone who made the time to come and visit our Mother Shore! Extra special thanks to Richard for making this happen. We couldn't have done it without his professional expertise in running tours.

We hope to do this again, and open to the public. What do you think?

Govt to map coastal habitats after Western Island announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:49:00 +0000

Two days after the announcement of Western Island, NParks issued a tender for a 15-month mapping of reefs, seagrasses and mangroves through high-res satellite images. "The map will quantify any changes to the habitats since 2018, supporting sea space and conservation planning across Singapore. As with previous mapping efforts, the geospatial dataset from this study will be made publicly available."

Huang Danwei, deputy head of the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, said the results from the study will be critical for mitigating the impacts of ongoing coastal development projects and planning upcoming projects.

Marine biologist Ow Yanxiang, senior research fellow at the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory said: “Our coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves forests have survived our nation’s many years of growth and development, so can we engineer ways to build our future with nature, instead of over it?”

Orang Laut SG, an initiative to preserve the maritime heritage of islanders living on Pulau Semakau, has called for cultural and social impacts to be considered, as well as continued access to the surviving islands, coral reefs and coastal waters. “Environmental assessments alone cannot account for the loss of heritage, community access, livelihoods, traditional knowledge and relationships with the sea.”

S’pore to map out marine, coastal habitats following news of western island reclamation
Ang Qing Straits Times Sep 04, 2026, 04:38 PM with photos by Lim Yao Hui

SINGAPORE - Plans are underway to use high-resolution satellite imagery to map out how coral reefs, seagrass meadows and mangroves have changed over the years along Singapore’s coastlines.

The new images of the different types of coastal and marine habitats will update maps previously created in 2018 and 2011, according to a National Parks Board (NParks) tender seen by The Straits Times.

The tender was published on Aug 25, two days after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced at the National Day Rally that a new “western island” to meet industry, energy and defence needs in the coming decades would be created by merging several southern islands through reclamation. This could include Pulau Semakau, Pulau Bukom and Pulau Sudong.

NParks’ group director for the National Biodiversity Centre Karenne Tun said the map will quantify any changes to the habitats since 2018, supporting sea space and conservation planning across Singapore, while complementing research studies by various agencies.

“As with previous mapping efforts, the geospatial dataset from this study will be made publicly available,” said Tun, who noted that the exercise is part of NParks’ regular efforts to study the Republic’s coastal and marine habitats.

The mapping exercise comes amid concerns from scientists, nature groups and other members of the marine community about the reclamation plans to create a new western island.

Singapore has already lost more than two-thirds of its coral reefs and more than 45 per cent of its seagrass to land reclamation and coastal development. An estimated 85 per cent of mangroves and tidal flats have disappeared, mostly since 1953.

The NParks study is expected to take 15 months to complete, and excludes marine waters in the Pedra Branca area, according to tender documents.

Marine scientists said the mapping exercise is timely as the coastline has likely changed considerably due to events like sea-level rise, climate-driven storm surges and marine heatwaves.

Huang Danwei, deputy head of the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, said the results from the study will be critical for mitigating the impacts of ongoing coastal development projects and planning upcoming projects.

Accurate maps will provide a reference point to measure changes post-construction and help reshape reclamation profiles to avoid destroying productive coral reefs, dense seagrass beds, or mangrove forests that store significant amounts of planet-warming carbon dioxide, he noted.

Knowing the precise boundaries and areal estimates of coastal and marine habitats are important for making predictions about biodiversity as the environment changes, he added, explaining that such knowledge can more accurately characterise and project how species that form the foundation of ecosystems will be distributed.

“Such projections are important not just for ecosystem management, but also are helpful for long-term planning of navigational routes and the sea space in general.”

Agreeing, coral scientist Sam Shu Qin, who co-chairs voluntary network Friends of Marine Park, said the mapping exercise is a step towards evidence-based identification of conservation areas or places to prioritise for intervention.

“Researchers, educators and nature groups could use the data to support research and communicate the importance of Singapore’s remaining coastal and marine habitats and wildlife,” she added.

Marine biologist Ow Yanxiang, who co-led the city-state’s inaugural seagrass restoration project, said the data will help track cumulative changes to the coastal environment since 2018, especially since environmental impact assessments for developments in these areas are often conducted independently of one another.

The senior research fellow at the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory said: “Our coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves forests have survived our nation’s many years of growth and development, so can we engineer ways to build our future with nature, instead of over it?”

Beyond the ecological impact, dive operators, nature guides, and descendants of those who once lived in the affected islands are calling on authorities to also study the social, recreational and heritage impact of the reclamation project.

Pulau Hantu, for instance, is often regarded as the heart of Singapore’s recreational diving scene, according to Serene Pek, co-owner of Cuddlefish Divers.

Pek cited the island’s sheltered conditions, manageable depths for beginners, and rich biodiversity, including seahorses, nudibranchs, and sharks. In 2025, about 60 per cent of her company’s operations, roughly 200 trips, were conducted at Pulau Hantu.

She said: “While we understand the need for Singapore to plan for its future development, we hope that careful consideration can be given to preserving areas that support recreation, conservation, education and community activities, so that future generations can continue to enjoy and appreciate these unique marine ecosystems.”

Ng Lee Kiang, co-founder of the nature education firm Young Nautilus, is concerned that the sediment plumes from future reclamation could ripple outwards, impacting not just Pulau Hantu and Pulau Semakau, but nearby sites like Sisters’ Islands Marine Park and St John’s Island, where her company regularly runs programmes.

She said: “As educators, our deepest hope is that generations to come will still have the chance to experience, appreciate and learn about the rich marine biodiversity we are fortunate to have today.”

Non-governmental organisation Orang Laut SG, which began as an initiative to preserve the maritime heritage of islanders living on Pulau Semakau, a subset of Singapore’s seafaring natives, has called for cultural and social impacts to be considered, as well as continued access to the surviving islands, coral reefs and coastal waters.

It said: “Environmental assessments alone cannot account for the loss of heritage, community access, livelihoods, traditional knowledge and relationships with the sea.”

Singapore to map coastal, marine habitat changes in third such study since 2011
The National Parks Board says the exercise is part of its regular mapping efforts and is not linked to the proposed western island reclamation.
Fabian Koh Channel NewsAsia 04 Sep 2026 03:16PM

SINGAPORE: Singapore's coastal and marine habitats will be mapped in a nationwide study to track changes since 2011, the third such exercise conducted by the National Parks Board (NParks).

The tender, issued on Aug 25, is titled "Mapping of the Extent of Coastal and Marine Habitats and Coastline Types in Singapore".

The study covers the entire coastline of mainland Singapore and its offshore islands and reefs, except for marine waters around Pedra Branca, tender documents on government procurement portal GeBIZ showed.

NParks identified Pulau Ubin's Chek Jawa and Pulau Semakau as potential "ground-truthing" sites, where satellite data is checked against real-world observations.

The tender was launched two days after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said, at his Aug 23 National Day Rally, that several islands to the west of Singapore could be merged to support new industries and future power generation needs.

In response to CNA's queries, NParks said on Friday (Sep 4) that the tender is not linked to the proposed western island reclamation.

"The tender is part of NParks' regular efforts to map Singapore's coastal and marine habitats and this will be the third such mapping exercise conducted by NParks since 2011," it said.

Dr Karenne Tun, group director of NParks' National Biodiversity Centre, said the exercise builds on the agency's 2011 and 2018 Coastal and Marine Habitat Maps and will quantify changes since 2018.

"The updated map will support seaspace and conservation planning across Singapore, and complement ongoing and future research studies under NParks’ Marine Climate Change Science Programme and other agencies. As with previous mapping efforts, the geospatial dataset from this study will be made publicly available."

The tender, which closes on Sep 21, requires the appointed contractor to identify and quantify changes between coastal and marine habitat maps from 2011, 2018 and 2026.

NParks awarded a tender with an identical title in July 2019 to sustainability consultancy Hydrobiology Singapore.

Editor's note: This article has been amended after NParks clarified that the tender is not linked to the proposed western island development.

Nature guiding workshop with Republic Poly (Sep 2026)

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 23:25:17 +0000

For the first time in 10 years, I am starting nature guiding workshops again. Because our Mother Shores needs guides to bring more people to see her and her babies on the mainland!

Thanks to Republic Poly for hosting the first one. And the more than 30 students and friends of the Poly who made time to attend! Special thanks for the awesome turnout by youth advocates and survey team members to support as facilitators. And everyone for contributing ideas and good humour to make it a fun workshop.

I hope to do more workshops soon, and meet more people who love our shores!
The workshop is for anyone who always wanted to be a nature guide. And those who find nature guiding too stressful and want to learn how to have fun guiding. With hands-on activities to brainstorm solutions to everyone's deepest nature guiding worries. We were privileged to receive sharing from many experienced guides and advocates like Lester Tan, Chair of Marine Conservation NSS.

As usual the highlight of the workshop was the role play. As we tackled some scenarios that gave us the most stress, to figure out approaches so we could defuse difficult situations and ensure everyone has fun, especially the guide!

The best part of the programme for me was to hear from all the leading youth groups, who not only sent representatives to help facilitate at the workshop Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity. But also to share about their work: Ichthyological Society of Singapore, Bird Society of Singapore, Earthlink NTU, BES Drongos, ENSING (Entomology Network of Singapore). I am so inspired by their dedication and great advocacy for nature and our shores. The networking session after the workshop was very lively as everyone chatted to get to know more.

The next day, we tested our approaches at Admiralty Park. So glad to hear charming stories prepared by the participants, from the importance of dragonflies, and how to introduce the walk using info boards. Using our smart phones to show tiny things (like cicadas) to other participants, or learning more about plants that we don't know. Thanks to facilitators for sharing their knowledge and giving tips on how to help participants 'touch grass'.

Thanks to sharp eyes and ears, we saw lots of birds, bugs, spiders. Also monkeys and the herpers in the team found a snake! Here is Richard's great photo of it.

Special thanks to Jason (and Joy) for making this happen. Jason started the Marine Science Interest Group when he was in RP as a student. So wonderful to know that the Interest Group remains active when he is back now as a teacher! Here Jason is at the field session taking half of the participants. What a great turn out and we hope to see the participants soon, on a shore to share about our Mother Shores and how they keep all our shores alive.

This session was extra special for me. As usual, I prepared little stuffies for everyone to take home. For the first time though, I got some really special gifts in return. From Jia Xuan from the the Conservation Interest Group, an amazing anatomically-correct hand-made Long-horned cowfish, complete with transparent fins. I am in awe! And a very touching letter from Nadya Ganwani, Vice-President of the Conservation Interest Group at Republic Polytechnic. I will treasure these forever.

Our shores are in good hands with such inspiring youths looking after them. Thank you everyone and see you on the shores!

I hope to do more workshops soon, and meet more people who want to make a difference for our shores!

Cyrene in the dark

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:20:26 +0000

Although Cyrene lies in the middle of an industrial triangle, it still has some of Singapore's most amazing shores. A very large team surveys on a predawn low tide.

It was a relief to see that the Knobbly sea stars seem to have recovered from the mysterious injuries we saw in Feb 2026. The corals seem to be alright. Although most of the centre was bare sand, there is still lush seagrasses near the beacon area. But we sense the shore remains rather quiet. The rest of the team saw giant clams and other interesting marine life. I will update when they have uploaded their photos.

During our survey here in Feb 2026, we noticed a large proportion of Knobbly sea stars had lost the top five knobs. It seems the knob fell off, rather than being bitten off by predators. The cut is clean and sheer. So possibly the sea stars self amputated their knobs, the same way that they can do with their arms? Today, I saw 17 Knobblies near the beacon area, and most of them had complete sharp and pointed knobs. Although a few had bluish tips and flattened tips, none had sheer cut knobs. Seems the rest of the team also did not see freshly amputated knobs. Will update with their observations later.

Updating with photos of Knobblies seen by Loh Kok Sheng (28), Marcus Ng (19) and Zen Xuan He (7). Seems most are 'normal' with well formed knobs. But there were quite a few with 'split knobs' - two tips or even two small knobs where one large one usually is. There were also some with a rather 'messy' arrangement of knobs near the top. We shall keep an eye on this situation.

As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds. A night trip means lots of octopus, also squid and cuttlefish. There were also many interesting flatworms we have not seen before. Colourful reef crabs and fish are also less shy at night. Small urchins were also seen. Kok Sheng saw one live Giant clam, Zen found the dead shells of a Hippopus hippopus clam which we have never seen alive on our shores. Unfortunately, the big Giant clam near the beacon is dead, and another dead one was also seen.

There's never been a lot of hard corals on Cyrene since we first started surveying it. Most of them are boulder shaped and there are some large colonies. I had a brief look at the corals on the eastern end today. Similar to our last survey in Feb 2026, May 2025 and Jul 2025 today I didn't see any bleaching.

Near the beacon and around the eastern tip of Cyrene, there remains many large Leathery soft corals of various kinds. As well as some Asparagus flowery soft corals, Sea mat zoanthids and small clumps of Spiky flowery soft corals. Similar to our last survey in Feb 2026, May 2025 and Jul 2025 today I didn't see any bleaching.

Much of the centre of Cyrene is mostly bare sand. I hardly saw any animals there. But perhaps the rest of the team did, I will update with their sightings.

Sand has covered most of the center of the flats. There were not many animals, but Kok Sheng saw several Key-hole sand dollars - which we seldom see anywhere else. Seems like the usually more abundant Cake sand dollar are missing? There were still some Common sea stars, and one Orange sand star. Kok Sheng also saw a heart urchin that burrows in sand. A brown sea cucumber and some predatory snails that are only common on Cyrene: Orange-mouth olive snail and Egg-white moon snail. There were also many of the more common moon snails.

More updates from the team about what they saw on western Cyrene (it is huge, so one person can't do the whole shore in one tide). Dylan saw a Giant clam that the rest seemed to have missed. So we saw 2 giant clams this trip! They also saw many Knobbly sea stars. There are still corals here, mostly boulder shaped of the commonly seen varieties. As well as leathery soft corals and other anemones and cnidarians. Seems they didn't see any that were bleaching. Sam saw glowing ostracods, each with a worm. We have no idea what is happening. Also sightings of squids large and tiny and the usual reef life. Plus bonus spotty jellyfish at Keppel Marina.

From the team that checked out the western end seagrasses seem to still be doing well here.

Seagrasses on the eastern end start to appear towards the reef edge, where they are still covered even at low tide.

Seagrasses are growing well towards the beacon area in the east. With a mix of common seagrasses. Tape seagrasses remain very sparse and cropped.

Today, I saw a few of what seems to be dugong feeding trails. These trails are formed when dugongs chomp up seagrasses including their roots, leaving a shallow meandering furrow of about equal width and depth. Every survey since 2021, we see dugong feeding trails on Cyrene.

Although it lies in the middle of an industrial triangle and major shipping lanes, Cyrene has some of Singapore's most amazing shores. We had surveyed in Jun 2024 for impact of the Pasir Panjang oil spill a few weeks prior and did not see any signs of oil. While Cyrene seems to have pulled through both this oil spill and mass coral bleaching that happened in 2024, it seems to be growing more quiet. We shall monitor closely and hope it will recover.

Posts by others on this survey

Marcus Ng

Anya Gaur

Jianlin Liu

Zen Xuan He

Loh Kok Sheng

Rui Quan Oh

Jason Ooi

Lon Ong Voon

Jaeden Lim

Samuel Lau

Dylan Seng

Others on the survey: Lester Tan, Muhd Nasry, Ian Mun, Faith, Zheng Hao

Western Island: Govt will study Mother Shores and listen to stakeholders

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 01:37:24 +0000

Ministry of National Development (MND) told The Straits Times: “As part of the planning process, the Government will be conducting technical studies to inform the development plans, including the reclamation profile. These studies include feasibility studies, site investigations and surveys, as well as engineering and environmental studies, to better understand the various development possibilities and their preliminary impact on areas like biodiversity and hydrodynamics.”

Eleven scientists and nature groups spoke to ST. They stressed the need for comprehensive studies and public consultation before reclamation begins because they believe the works will cause irreversible loss to the mature habitats in the area.

MND said that stakeholders will be engaged to listen to their inputs before studies and work commence, with their feedback carefully considered. “Their knowledge and expertise will help inform the studies, assess potential biodiversity impact and identify measures to avoid, minimise and mitigate impacts where possible.”

Share YOUR views on REACH until 3 Sep. REACH would like to hear your views on the PM's National Day Rally Speech. Your views are important to us. It will help us understand what matters most to you, so that we can prioritise these as we work together to shape a better future for Singapore.

Government will do studies on rich marine biodiversity before western island reclamation
Ang Qing Straits Times Aug 25, 2026, 05:00 AM

SINGAPORE – Recognising the biodiversity value of the western islands and its surrounding waters, the authorities are carefully studying plans for future reclamation, and will be conducting technical studies as well as engaging stakeholders.

This comes as scientists and nature groups have stressed the need for comprehensive studies and public consultation before reclamation begins because they believe the works will cause irreversible loss to the mature habitats in the area.

A spokesman for the Ministry of National Development (MND) told The Straits Times: “As part of the planning process, the Government will be conducting technical studies to inform the development plans, including the reclamation profile.

“These studies include feasibility studies, site investigations and surveys, as well as engineering and environmental studies, to better understand the various development possibilities and their preliminary impact on areas like biodiversity and hydrodynamics.”

Eleven scientists and nature groups spoke to ST in the wake of the announcement of the planned reclamation at the 2026 National Day Rally. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had announced that an island for industry, energy and defence needs would be reclaimed in coming decades by combining several southern islands.

The intertidal habitats for various islands and surrounding reefs which could fall within the potential reclamation area cover about 592.8ha, according to data from the National Parks Board’s Southern Islands Biodiversity Survey. This is larger than the resort island of Sentosa, and makes up more than half the intertidal areas of the Southern Islands.

Huang Danwei, director of the National Institute for Marine and Ocean Sciences, pointed out that reefs in Pulau Hantu and Pulau Semakau date back about 8,000 years.

“The area highlighted for potential reclamation is a very large one, containing many sensitive marine habitats and ecosystems that have high value for climate mitigation, ecological connectivity, science and potential medicines,” he said, warning that Singapore will lose many of these functions if the entire area undergoes land reclamation.

The mega-project could impact some of the most significant and valuable marine habitats in the Southern Islands, where nearly all of Singapore’s remaining natural coral reefs are found, the researchers said.

Acknowledging the strategic need backing the reclamation, scientists and nature groups called for the protection of as many of these habitats and their species as possible, given their immense ecological value.

Huang noted that the coral reefs of Pulau Hantu, Pulau Semakau and others in the area have shown how these natural habitats can persist even in the face of human activity, having recovered following global-scale coral bleaching events in 1998, 2010, 2016 and 2024.

“There is no mitigation for reefs lost by direct burial for land reclamation,” he said.

“Corals that can be transplanted are a few months or even years old, but they will not come close to restoring the ecosystem functions and services of coral reefs built over eight millennia.”

Chou Loke Ming, emeritus professor at the National University of Singapore’s Department of Biological Sciences, believes that mature marine habitats like reefs, seagrass and mangroves qualify as natural heritage sites. These have consistently served the ecosystem in valuable ways, such as by acting as nurseries supporting fish populations and absorbing planet-warming carbon dioxide.

The veteran marine scientist called for a new mindset on reclamation, where Singapore works towards building with nature instead of at the expense of it.

For instance, the reclamation boundary could be made flexible to avoid burying most of these habitats, he suggested.

Marine scientists and other stakeholders had proposed in the 2018 Singapore Blue Plan that Pulau Semakau, Pulau Hantu and Pulau Jong, together with other nearby reefs, be designated as a marine reserve. The proposal was not taken up.

Marine biologist Zeehan Jaafar, lead editor of the plan, said the connected reef-mangrove-seagrass coastal systems at Pulau Semakau are no longer observed anywhere else in Singapore.

Coral reefs have persisted on and near the landfill island despite development, with research done to understand why and how they continue to exist.

She noted that the affected areas rank among the most studied marine sites globally, and said their loss will take away long-term insights into coastal system processes.

“These areas are important to further understand our marine biodiversity and coastal ecological processes, especially as the biodiversity has been resilient in the face of increasing marine urbanisation,” she said.

Jani Tanzil, facility director for St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, noted that these spaces are valuable, as Singapore’s marine ecosystems sit at the confluence of waters like the South China Sea and Java Sea, making them a nature corridor that helps connect biodiversity and fisheries in the region.

Tanzil and marine conservationist Ria Tan highlighted the role that the affected area plays as a “mother site” that provides genetic material to sustain nearby ecosystems beyond its boundaries.

Said Tanzil: “We must still consider all options. Studies and solutions must be comprehensive, even if it means challenging how development is done.”

Neo Mei Lin, a senior research fellow at St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, noted that 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the wild populations of giant clams that she studies exist in the potentially affected areas.

“The astronomical loss of marine habitats and its biodiversity is expected to be more devastating than the past island reclamation projects,” she said.

Nature groups similarly stressed the need for the careful development of these spaces, which are key educational and recreational sites.

The chairman of Nature Society Singapore’s marine conservation group, Lester Tan, said that the islands function as vital outdoor classrooms and living laboratories.

“Losing these accessible areas means losing the exact spaces where we cultivate the next generation of conservationists and build the genuine public appreciation necessary to sustain our national conservation goals,” he said.

Tan called for detailed environmental studies to guide this development, as well as for the Government to adopt a strict marine spatial zoning strategy that would identify and preserve the most resilient core reefs.

Likewise, a spokesman for the Ichthyological Society of Singapore said the society founded by youth hopes the area will be rigorously surveyed to catalogue the rich biodiversity slated for development.

He said: “Transparency is a must to ensure that the youth feel like they have a stake in their future.”

The MND spokesperson said that stakeholders will be engaged to listen to their inputs before studies and work commence, with their feedback carefully considered.

“Their knowledge and expertise will help inform the studies, assess potential biodiversity impact and identify measures to avoid, minimise and mitigate impacts where possible.”

Marine community fears loss of biodiversity hotspot to proposed western island development
The government says it recognises the biodiversity value of the western islands and will conduct technical studies, including environmental assessments, before development plans proceed.

Fabian Koh Channel NewsAsia 25 Aug 2026 11:15AM

SINGAPORE: Local marine conservation advocates and recreational divers have raised concerns over development plans for a cluster of islands west of Singapore, including one of the country's most popular dive sites.

In response to the concerns, a Ministry of National Development (MND) spokesperson said the government “recognises the biodiversity value of the western Islands and its surrounding”, and it is “carefully studying the plans as there is a need to plan ahead and create options for the future".

As part of the planning process, the ministry said it will conduct technical studies to inform the development plans, including the reclamation profile. These will include feasibility studies, site investigations and surveys, and engineering and environmental studies, to better understand development possibilities and their preliminary impact on areas such as biodiversity and hydrodynamics.

"We will engage stakeholders early to listen to their inputs before studies and work commence, and their feedback will be carefully considered," the spokesperson said. "Their knowledge and expertise will help inform the studies, assess potential biodiversity impact and identify measures to avoid, minimise and mitigate impacts where possible."

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced at his National Day Rally on Sunday (Aug 23) that several islands, including Semakau, Bukom and Pulau Sudong, could be merged to support new industries and future power generation needs.

Pulau Hantu sits amid the three islands, and dive operators fear reclamation or access restrictions could harm both the marine environment and the local diving industry built around the site.

Mr Wong also announced that steps will be taken to improve access to Sentosa's western coastline, which is home to rich marine life and unique geology, while preserving its natural character.

Advocates are also calling for biodiversity experts and community groups to be more closely involved in the planning process, so that ecological and environmental concerns are brought to the table.

BIODIVERSITY VALUE OF ISLANDS

Stakeholders and observers highlighted the biodiversity value of the marine life and habitat at the islands slated for development.

Dr Lim Swee Cheng, a marine biologist and curator at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, said the island cluster represents a "very substantial portion of Singapore's remaining southern marine habitats", known among researchers and naturalists for its rich coral reefs and associated marine life.

"Some of these areas have remained relatively undisturbed because of restricted access, which has allowed comparatively healthy reef communities to persist despite Singapore's long history of coastal development," he said.

Ms Jharyathri Thiagarajah, who leads outreach and education at the museum, said Singapore's offshore islands are valuable as they support marine life and habitats "that are increasingly rare in our highly urbanised environment."

Ms Thiagarajah has led visits for students and members of the public to the islands, including Pulau Hantu and Pulau Semakau, since 2015.

From a biodiversity conservation perspective, such a development could permanently erase or alter habitats, species and ecological relationships that researchers may not even fully understand yet, she said. "Once these natural environments are gone, they cannot simply be recreated elsewhere."

Ms Kong Man Jing, co-founder of science and nature social media channel Just Keep Thinking, said reefs in the island cluster are the result of around 8,000 years of natural development, something that is "incredibly difficult to contemplate losing".

"The Southern Islands also form an ecologically connected network, with reefs around islands such as Sudong, Pawai and Senang identified as important sources of coral larvae for other reefs," said Ms Kong.

INVOLVEMENT IN FORMULATING PLANS

Community groups interviewed said they hoped to be involved in formulating plans to develop the island cluster.

Mr Stephen Beng, immediate past chairperson of the Friends of Marine Park group, called for stakeholders and domain experts to be included further upstream in the planning process.

"Our southern waters are not merely space to be allocated," said Mr Beng, calling them strategic assets and a legacy responsibility.

CNA understands that Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan met with members of the group on Monday to discuss their concerns.

On the plans for Sentosa, Dr Lim said Tanjong Rimau - located at the island’s westernmost tip - remains one of its relatively less disturbed coastal habitats. It still supports notable intertidal and marine biodiversity, even as Sentosa is widely associated with mass tourism and heavy development, he said.

In a highly urbanised coastline like Singapore's, sites like Tanjong Rimau help connect marine organisms across fragmented habitats, said Dr Lim.

He called for comprehensive assessments across all the affected areas before works proceed, including baseline biodiversity surveys, hydrodynamic modelling, impact assessments and long-term monitoring.

Ms Kong said she hopes that any plans being studied would carefully consider the ecological significance of all affected areas across the various islands.

"We have submitted questions to the relevant agencies on the reclamation footprint, timing of environmental studies, whether ecological findings could influence the design, and whether there will be opportunities for expert and public input," added Ms Kong.

Over the years, the authorities have made efforts to preserve marine biodiversity as the offshore islands are gradually developed for the country's future needs.

For example, from September 2014 to January 2015, over 700 coral colonies and other species such as giant clams were relocated from Pulau Semakau to the Sisters' Islands Marine Park, as part of a move to convert a lagoon into a new landfill cell to meet Singapore's future waste disposal needs.

In July 2015, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and volunteers from various environmental interest groups also relocated 2,300 hard coral colonies from Sultan Shoal to St John's and Sisters' Islands, to protect them from the impact of the Tuas Terminal development.

CONCERNS OF LOCAL DIVING COMMUNITY

Local diving operators told CNA that the island cluster is one of the few places in Singapore where divers can experience thriving marine biodiversity in the wild without travelling overseas.

Mr Martin Benedict, owner of local diving firm Marlin Divers, pointed out that Pulau Hantu is the only site in Singapore safe for regular diving, as its location shields divers from strong currents, making it suitable for beginners.

Its proximity to the mainland also makes it convenient for a day trip, he said. Around 50 divers visit the popular site every weekend day, he added.

Ms Serene Pek, co-owner of Cuddlefish Divers, said Pulau Hantu is often regarded as "the heart of Singapore's recreational diving scene".

"Despite being located within one of the world's busiest ports, the waters around Pulau Hantu support diverse marine life, such as seahorses, nudibranchs, octopuses, cuttlefish, reef fish, stingrays, sharks and so many more," she said.

It is not the only dive site in Singapore, but by far the most popular, she added.

Ms Pek said her firm is concerned about the potential impact of the island cluster's development on the local diving industry and Singapore's marine ecosystem.

"We started our business with local operations since day one … It's been our bread and butter," she said.

Cuddlefish Divers has been operating for eight years. It organises local dive trips every weekend, with a total of four trips each accommodating up to 15 divers.

With full details and environmental assessments yet to be released, Ms Pek said reclamation activities could nonetheless affect water quality, underwater visibility, sedimentation patterns and marine habitats.

"If environmental conditions deteriorate or access becomes restricted, it may reduce the attractiveness and viability of local diving activities," she said.

For now, her firm is awaiting further details about the reclamation plans and hopes to engage with the relevant stakeholders and agencies.

Mr Benedict said the development announced on Sunday would affect his company and he would lose "quite a lot of business", especially since he operates only locally.

He may also consider pivoting to run dive trips overseas, though that would bring its own logistical headaches, he said.

"When it comes to marine biodiversity, it's not simply that they will regrow somewhere else. There are things you can't see on mainland Singapore," he said.

Commentary: NDR 2026 – if Singapore can plan 50 years ahead for infrastructure, can it do the same for nature?
Long-term plans for Singapore’s western islands offer something precious: time to get it right, says NUS’ Melissa Low.

Melissa Low Channel NewsAsia 26 Aug 2026 01:11PM

SINGAPORE: Plans to study the creation of a “western island”, potentially joining Pulau Semakau, Pulau Bukom, Pulau Sudong and several smaller islands, come at an interesting moment for Singapore.

Over the past weeks, proposed developments at Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks have generated intense public discussion about the value of nature and how Singapore makes difficult land-use choices.

The debate has been about more than how much nature should be retained. It has raised questions about how environmental considerations and public participation are weighed in the planning process.

The western island raises similar questions, but on a far larger scale and over a much longer timeframe.

Singapore will undoubtedly need to provide for future industrial and energy infrastructure. As a small country with severe land and resource constraints, long-term planning has always been one of our strengths.

But a project that may unfold over 50 years offers something else precious: time to get it right.

We have an opportunity to understand environmental consequences, examine alternatives and engage the public before major spatial choices become difficult, or impossible to reverse.

THE SEA IS NOT EMPTY SPACE

The starting point should be understanding what already exists around the Southern Islands.

On a map, the spaces separating these islands may appear to be stretches of open sea. Ecologically, they are anything but empty.

Singapore's southern waters contain a mosaic of coral reefs, seagrass meadows, intertidal areas, mangrove forests and other marine habitats. These ecosystems support biodiversity and are interconnected in ways that do not correspond neatly with the boundaries we draw around individual islands.

These habitats also matter for the climate. NUS research has identified Pulau Semakau as home to one of Singapore's three largest seagrass meadows, while seagrass has also been documented at Pulau Sudong. Seagrasses and mangroves are increasingly recognised as “blue carbon” ecosystems because of their ability to capture and store carbon dioxide, and hence tackle climate change.

The environmental consequences of creating a much larger island cannot be measured simply by the hectares of new land created.

Reclamation can bury marine habitats. Sediment and increased turbidity can affect corals and seagrasses beyond the development footprint. Altered coastlines can change currents and sediment movement, while joining islands could affect ecological connectivity across a much larger marine landscape.

These effects may not be easy to mitigate. Before another transformation of these islands is contemplated, we should ask what can be avoided in the first place.

There is a cultural dimension too. At this year's National Day Parade, Singapore celebrated its Orang Laut heritage through Aok Diko, performed by Asnida Daud and inspired by her childhood memories of Pulau Sudong. Shortly afterwards, Pulau Sudong was named among the islands being considered for the western island.

This tension is worth reflecting on – celebrating the stories of Singapore's island communities while fundamentally transforming the landscapes from which those stories emerged. Heritage cannot exist only in memory. It should factor into decisions about the future.

LOOK BEYOND INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS

In response to concerns raised by the marine community, a Ministry of Development (MND) spokesperson said that the government “recognises the biodiversity value of the western islands and its surrounding”. The ministry said it will conduct assessments such as feasibility studies, site surveys and environmental studies to inform its development plans.

Environmental impact assessments are important tools for identifying the effects of individual projects and determining how they can be avoided, minimised or mitigated. But nature operates at a larger scale.

A forest patch may be cleared in one part of Singapore. A coastal habitat may be reclaimed elsewhere. Another development may retain a wildlife corridor while reducing the habitat surrounding it. Each decision may appear manageable individually.

Over decades, however, these decisions can add up to an ecological network that is increasingly fragmented and less resilient.

This is one of the deeper concerns underlying the reaction to Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks. The question is not whether Singapore should never develop another forest. It is about the overall trajectory: What are we progressively losing? What are we retaining? And what will Singapore's ecological landscape look like for the next generation?

A project on the scale and timeframe of the western island presents an opportunity to assess environmental impacts strategically and cumulatively from the earliest stages and across different development scenarios and over time, rather than relying only on project-level studies as individual components are developed.

DEVELOPMENT AND NATURE AREN’T ALWAYS IN CONTEST

Singapore's land constraints require difficult choices, but those choices need not amount to a contest between development and nature. Framing the issue that way obscures the range of possibilities planners actually have.

The choice is rarely between developing something and developing nothing. It is between different forms of development, locations, scales, timelines and environmental consequences.

That is particularly important with a 50-year horizon. Technologies will change. Our energy system will evolve. Economic needs may change. Climate risks certainly will.

Long-term planning should therefore preserve options while progressively improving our understanding of their consequences.

Nature itself should also be understood as infrastructure. Coral reefs, seagrasses, mangroves and forests contribute to biodiversity, coastal resilience, recreation and quality of life. In an increasingly dense Singapore, these functions may become more valuable, not less.

ENGAGE BEFORE THE CHOICES NARROW

Finally, the western island gives Singapore an opportunity to rethink when public engagement happens.

The debate on Gillman Barracks and Maju Forest suggests consultation becomes most difficult when people believe the fundamental planning decision has already been made and they are being asked primarily to comment on mitigation or details.

There is little reason for that to happen with a project that is decades in the making.

The timing is also worth reflecting on. The western island proposal comes just as residents, nature groups and members of the public have invested considerable time and effort engaging on Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks. Repeated cycles of public mobilisation around individual development proposals risks generating consultation fatigue, particularly as difficult land-use choices become more frequent.

Moving engagement upstream could allow different possibilities and their consequences to be considered more strategically.

Marine scientists, nature groups, island communities and their descendants, recreational users, industry and the wider public could be engaged while alternatives are still being examined. Baseline environmental information could be made accessible, and Singaporeans could be shown not simply a preferred proposal, but the different options being considered, the needs they are intended to meet, and their respective consequences.

This should include greater clarity about the assumptions underpinning the western island itself. What are Singapore's projected energy, industrial and infrastructure needs over the next 30 to 50 years? How much additional land would different scenarios require, and when?

Which technologies and industries are being planned for, and how certain are those assumptions given the pace of technological change? Could some needs be met through existing industrial land, redevelopment, greater land-use efficiency or different energy pathways? And what would happen if some of the most ecologically sensitive areas were taken off the table from the outset?

MND has said it will “engage stakeholders early to listen to their inputs before studies and work commence”.

Public participation does not mean every preference must be adopted, nor does it remove the government's responsibility to make difficult decisions in the national interest. But participation is most meaningful when there are still real choices to influence.

Singapore has earned an international reputation for planning infrastructure decades ahead. The western island offers an opportunity to apply the same long-term thinking to our natural environment.

If we are planning Singapore's energy and economic infrastructure 50 years into the future, we should plan the future of its ecological infrastructure over the same horizon.

Melissa Low is Head of NUS Sustainability Academy and Research Fellow at the Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, National University of Singapore. The opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not represent the views and opinions of NUS.

Forum: Some balance needed in western island reclamation and preserving marine biodiversity
Straits Times Aug 28, 2026, 05:00 AM

As a marine biologist, I find the land reclamation project of several southern islands to create a new “western island” recently announced at the National Day Rally striking because of its scale and location.

A large part of the sea in the Singapore Strait will be converted into a massive land mass, obliterating small islands within and completely burying rich marine habitats such as coral reef, mangrove and seagrass.

If this had happened before the mid-1990s, no one would have raised an eyebrow. From the late 1990s, some development agencies started commissioning impact assessment studies and adopted mitigation measures to minimise habitat degradation. In the following decade, the National Parks Board was given the authority to protect and conserve Singapore’s marine biodiversity.

The development of the Semakau landfill showed that development and nature can coexist.

Pre-development considerations included protection of the island’s western reef using sediment screens. The loss of a section of Semakau’s mature mangrove forest was mitigated by restoring two nearby sites with mangrove saplings, which have today developed into healthy forests.

The establishment of the Sister’s Islands Marine Park in 2014 also emphasised Singapore’s commitment to marine biodiversity protection.

Today, while we understand the need for development for the western island project, is the destruction of marine natural heritage unavoidable? If the habitats must be obliterated, how do we affirm our commitment to sustainable development?

I am confident that we have the capacity to address the situation.

For a project of such scale, conducting a comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) will be important. It must go beyond assessing what is presently in the area and species of conservation value, and account for ecosystem services benefits and heritage value that will be lost. A more realistic valuation will help when considering trade-offs.

A large volume of the sea will also disappear. As marine life occupies all levels of the water column, measuring the impact on marine life based solely on the reclamation area is a poor underestimate of the space lost to swimming species.

All other options should be explored first. Is it possible to have an island of the same area but shaped to avoid burying these habitats? Can the island’s boundary be irregular like natural shorelines?

If the reclamation must destroy natural habitats, then a second option is restoration.

For restoration and nature-based solutions to be effective, we need to rethink seawalls. Instead of a single seawall, we need multiple lines of defence in the sea beyond that first seawall, including a hard outermost structure to deflect or buffer incoming waves. This will create sheltered conditions and provide opportunities for shallow lagoons or large tidal pools to form that can support regenerated seagrass and mangrove habitats.

Such interventions are costly, but the marine ecosystem benefits from the restored habitats.

For the longer term, a strategic marine spatial plan that includes biodiversity distribution will be useful to decision makers so that restoration initiatives can be implemented in places that are unlikely to be developed.

There are numerous project-based EIA reports currently undertaken by different agencies. Integrating the information gathered along with past published data, including that of the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey, can provide a robust database that will go towards supporting a strategic EIA.

Chou Loke Ming

New 'Western Island' to merge all southern reefs

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 14:13:55 +0000

A new 'Western Island' to be created 'in the coming decades' merging Pulau Semakau, Pulau Bukom, Pulau Sudong and possibly Pulau Hantu, Pulau Jong and Pulau Sebarok.

A new link will also be built to connect Jurong Island to the new western island. These long-term plans are being studied carefully, said PM Wong.

NDR 2026: S’pore to merge several outer islands to form new Western island
Ang Qing Straits Times Aug 23, 2026, 09:06 PM

SINGAPORE – Singapore intends to merge several southern islands to create a new “Western island” in coming decades for a new generation of industries, power generation infrastructure and defence needs.

Pulau Semakau, Pulau Bukom and Pulau Sudong are among islands that could be merged through planned land reclamation announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 23 at the 2026 National Day Rally.

PM Wong said the new island follows the example of Jurong Island, a global energy and chemicals hub that was formed from the reclamation of several offshore islands.

That investment has delivered lasting benefits for Singapore, he added, citing Jurong Island’s role in creating jobs and anchoring important industries, making Singapore a critical node in global energy flows, and strengthening its energy security and resilience, most recently amid the disruptions in the Middle East.

Said PM Wong: “Jurong Island was the result of bold decisions, careful planning and sustained investment over many decades.

“Now it’s our turn to think just as boldly, and build for the next generation.”

He said that every piece of land matters in Singapore, where space is needed for homes, jobs, transport and infrastructure. At the same time, the Republic cherishes green spaces, biodiversity and places with heritage and history.

“Sometimes difficult choices and trade-offs have to be made.

“Where development is necessary, we study the impact carefully, make adjustments and minimise the disruption.”

Nearly half of Singapore is covered in greenery, PM Wong pointed out, adding that Singapore is continuing to expand its green spaces and strengthen native biodiversity.

He stressed that the Singapore way is to plan far ahead by creating new options for future generations, so that they will have room to grow, while preserving what is precious about the city-state.

He said: “We plan fifty, seventy, even one hundred years ahead. We plan with every Singaporean – born and not yet born – in mind.”

To create some of these new possibilities, the Government is looking to transform Singapore’s outer islands, said PM Wong.

He highlighted a cluster of islands south of Jurong Island, which includes Pulau Semakau that houses Singapore’s only offshore landfill, Pulau Bukom - where the nation’s first refinery still operates, and Pulau Sudong.

According to a video shown at the rally, the reclamation profile for the area could also absorb Pulau Hantu, Pulau Jong and Pulau Sebarok.

Over coming decades, Singapore intends to “merge several of these islands into one larger island”, just as the Republic did to create Jurong Island, said PM Wong.

He said: “This new island won’t just be for petrochemicals.

“It can support a new generation of industries, including advanced manufacturing facilities. It can accommodate new power generation infrastructure to meet Singapore’s future needs.”

He said there will be space for Singapore’s defence needs, noting that Pulau Sudong now has an airstrip that the Singapore Armed Forces uses during emergencies.

A new link will also be built to connect Jurong Island to the new western island.

These long-term plans are being studied carefully, said PM Wong.

Just as Jurong Island shaped Singapore’s economy for the last 50 years, the new Western island can help shape Singapore for the next 50 years and beyond, he added.

NDR 2026: Semakau, Bukom and Pulau Sudong may be merged into new island for industrial, power needs
The new island, modelled on Jurong Island's development, could house advanced manufacturing and future power infrastructure.
Koh Wan Ting Channel NewsAsia 23 Aug 2026 09:08PM

SINGAPORE: Several islands west of Singapore, including Semakau, Bukom and Pulau Sudong, may be merged into a larger island to support a new generation of industries, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Sunday (Aug 23).

The new island, located south of Jurong Island, could also accommodate power generation infrastructure to meet Singapore’s future needs, Mr Wong said at the 2026 National Day Rally.

“These are long-term plans. We are studying them carefully,” he added.

Mr Wong said the plan echoed the creation of Jurong Island, where several offshore islands were progressively joined through land reclamation to make way for Singapore’s petrochemical industry.

"Today, Jurong Island is a global energy and chemicals hub," Mr Wong said, adding that the investment had delivered "lasting benefits" to Singapore.

"It created many good jobs. It anchored important industries here. It made Singapore a critical node in global energy flows.

"All that has strengthened our energy security and resilience – something we have seen time and again, most recently amid the disruptions in the Middle East."

Semakau is home to Singapore's only landfill, while Bukom houses the country's first refinery. Pulau Sudong has an airstrip used by the Singapore Armed Forces during emergencies. These, together with a few smaller islands, could form the new landmass.

Mr Wong said the island would not be limited to petrochemicals, and could support a new generation of industries, including advanced manufacturing.

“Jurong Island shaped our economy for the last 50 years,” Mr Wong said. “This new western island can help shape Singapore for the next 50 years and beyond."

The plan comes as Singapore looks to expand its energy options amid land constraints and a lack of natural resources.

Singapore is exploring clean energy sources, including nuclear power, to strengthen its energy security against a more volatile global landscape. It has yet to decide on deploying nuclear power and will undergo an assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 2027 to gauge its readiness to make an informed decision on adopting nuclear energy.

Singapore has been building capabilities across 19 areas identified by the IAEA as necessary for a country to establish a nuclear power programme, including evaluating and developing suitable sites for nuclear installations with safety requirements in mind.

Western island reclamation will create space for industries, low-carbon energy sources: Analysts
Analysts said the new island would allow Singapore to design from scratch an integrated hub involving a range of low-carbon energy sources that can support Jurong Island.
Ang Qing Straits Times Aug 24, 2026, 09:35 PM

SINGAPORE - The reclamation of a new western island will create a space for industries and power-related infrastructure that can tap the sea, and benefit from proximity to Jurong Island and the need for greater distance from residential areas, analysts said.

At the National Day Rally on Aug 23, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had outlined plans to form a new island south of energy and chemicals hub Jurong Island in the coming decades for industry, energy and defence needs, by merging islands such as Pulau Semakau, Pulau Bukom and Pulau Sudong.

Analysts told The Straits Times that the new island would allow Singapore to design from scratch an integrated hub involving a range of low-carbon energy sources that can support Jurong Island, boosting the nation’s long-term energy security by creating space to accommodate technology that may become feasible only in the longer term.

Nuclear energy infrastructure is one of the possible options among a host of low-carbon energy sources that can be sited on the island, they said.

That said, they cautioned against seeing the deployment of nuclear energy as the aim of the reclamation, stressing that Singapore has yet to make a decision on the power source, which it is exploring as a low-carbon alternative, and noting the need for more detailed studies.

Matthew Chew, nuclear competency and strategy lead at engineering consultancy HY, said that the new island would give Singapore the long-term physical space to accommodate technologies and energy systems that may not yet be commercially mature, but could become critical over the next decades.

“Singapore could design the island as an integrated energy hub where gas, low-carbon fuels, electricity imports, storage, renewables and potentially nuclear eventually operate together,” he said.

Tan-Soo Jie Sheng, director of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, noted that while western Singapore has a large industrial footprint, much of that land is already committed to existing uses.

“Hence, what Singapore needs is sufficiently large, contiguous sites that can accommodate the new industries and energy infrastructure it may need several decades from now.”

He added that offshore land also provides direct maritime access and space to build large-scale and difficult-to-site energy infrastructure from scratch, a common constraint for Singapore’s energy ambitions.

Said Tan-Soo: “These characteristics could make it particularly suitable for activities that are land- or energy-intensive, require port access, or benefit from greater physical buffers.

“Possibilities include next-generation energy and chemical industries, hydrogen- and ammonia-related activities, advanced manufacturing, and large-scale energy infrastructure.”

Sing Tien Foo, NUS Business School’s provost chair professor of real estate, said the offshore island will prepare Singapore for the next wave of industrialisation, for which it will need to build a sufficient land bank in advance to attract investment in these greener, high-value-add industries.

He said: “New industries that require massive infrastructure investment, are to be segregated from high-density residential housing estates, and will require intensive energy and water resources, are ideal on the island. By isolating these advanced and precision manufacturing risks, they could also protect against other types of human risks, including fire and pollution.”

Tan-Soo noted that, fundamentally, Singapore does not know what the most important industries will be in 2050 or 2070, just as planners of the past did not know the scale of today’s demand for data centres and digital infrastructure, and the new site would offer flexibility.

He added that offshore land also provides direct maritime access and the opportunity to build highly specialised infrastructure from scratch.

In addition, the new island potentially helps Singapore address a constraint common to several of these pathways by providing sufficient and suitable land for large-scale and difficult-to-site energy infrastructure.

Strategically, the move to form a second energy island beside Jurong will build resilience for Singapore’s energy system, said Marsh Asia’s energy and power leader, Benjamin Chang.

He said: “Singapore’s energy security strategy has always been about creating options before you need them.”

Chew said several factors could make the offshore industrial site a candidate for nuclear energy.

These include access to seawater that can reduce the distance needed to convey water to cool nuclear power plants, as well as giving the land-constrained city-state more flexibility without locking up a major parcel on the mainland, he said, citing how nuclear power can represent a commitment of land for potentially 60 years or more.

Analysts said that proximity to the Singapore Armed Forces could confer greater security, but there could be trade-offs.

“The colocation of SAF on the island could also enhance security and protect valuable manufacturing plants from potential intrusion by imposing strict controls on access from unrelated parties and by establishing military zones that reduce the risk of sabotage or drone incursions.

“This mirrors the existing model on Jurong Island, where strict access controls and security protocols protect high-value petrochemical and energy facilities. SAF proximity would reinforce the new island’s role as a secure, strategic node for Singapore’s future energy system,” said Sing.

Chu Jian, a professor at NTU and its president’s chair in civil engineering, pointed out that while the military runway on Pulau Sudong could make the future development much easier to plan, there could also be restrictions on construction activities, such as height controls.

Experts cautioned that use of the reclaimed island could mean navigating complex hurdles such as sea-level rise, emergency access and environmental impacts given its scale.

Said NUS’ Energy Studies Institute senior research fellow Kim Jeong Won: “Significant investment would be needed for land reclamation, transport links, utility networks and grid connections, potentially making offshore generation more expensive than developing existing sites.”

NDR 2026: New western island to give Singapore room for energy and new industries, say experts
Koh Wan Ting and Natasha Ganesan Channel NewsAsia 24 Aug 2026 05:44PM

SINGAPORE: Singapore's planned western island could one day house nuclear power facilities – if the government decides to go down that path – and energy-intensive industries such as semiconductor manufacturing and data centres, energy experts said on Monday (Aug 24).

An offshore location could address one of Singapore's biggest constraints in deploying nuclear power – the amount of land that would have to be set aside – while providing access to seawater for cooling and separation from the general population.

Singapore has yet to decide whether to deploy nuclear power, but it is taking steps to shore up its capabilities and expertise in this area. From 2027, the country will undergo an international assessment of its readiness to make an informed decision on nuclear energy.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced during the 2026 National Day Rally on Sunday that Singapore intends to merge several islands south of Jurong Island – which could include Semakau, Bukom and Pulau Sudong – into a larger western island over the coming decades.

He likened the process to the development of Jurong Island, where several offshore islands were progressively joined through land reclamation over more than a decade to create what is today a global energy and chemicals hub.

Besides supporting new industries such as advanced manufacturing, Mr Wong said the island could accommodate new power generation infrastructure to meet Singapore's future needs. He did not specify the types of energy that could be generated.

As part of its longer-term plans, the government is also studying the feasibility of building an undersea tunnel connecting Pulau Tekong to the mainland. More reclamation is planned for southern Tekong, with about 500ha to be available for future civilian use.

NUCLEAR A POSSIBILITY

Experts pointed to advances in nuclear technology that could make small modular reactors (SMRs) more feasible in land-scarce Singapore. Compared with conventional large reactors, some SMR designs could have smaller site and emergency planning requirements.

Professor Lawrence Loh, director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, said an offshore location could make nuclear infrastructure easier to separate and secure from the general population.

"The only place in Singapore where it might be possibly acceptable would be an island, not on the main island of Singapore, but offshore," he told CNA.

Such separation could reassure the public given sensitivities around nuclear energy, while allowing access to the facility to be more tightly controlled, Prof Loh said.

Dr Alvin Chew, senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, said nuclear power would require large containment buildings, not just for the reactors but also for generation facilities such as turbines.

Supporting infrastructure would need a solid foundation, and electricity produced on the island would have to be transmitted via subsea cables to mainland Singapore, he said.

An offshore location could also offer ready access to seawater for cooling, which many power plants require.

Current light-water nuclear reactors similarly use large volumes of water for cooling, Dr Chew said, adding that nuclear plants also discharge large volumes of water into the sea during operations.

Dr Victor Nian, founding co-chairman of the Centre for Strategic Energy and Resources (CSER), said offshore development offered advantages including space, maritime access, cooling water and separation from densely populated areas. But he cautioned against assuming that an offshore facility would necessarily be safer.

"Safety still depends on the technology, engineering, regulation and specific site conditions," he said, adding that offshore development could mean higher infrastructure and marine engineering costs.

He raised the possibility of a floating offshore facility that could use advanced nuclear energy to generate low-carbon electricity, produce hydrogen and desalinate seawater.

"Given the long development horizon, I believe we should preserve these possibilities without assuming today which technologies will ultimately be deployed," Dr Nian said.

Dr Chew said one advantage of the western island is that it could provide land dedicated to energy infrastructure for a very long period.

Nuclear power plants are typically licensed to operate for 60 to 80 years, while decommissioning and land sanitisation could take another 10 to 20 years, meaning land used for nuclear energy could effectively be committed for up to a century.

"Hence, it is therefore more appropriate to reclaim an island dedicated for power generation rather than to commit and lock-in premium land on the main island," Dr Chew said.

NEARER-TERM ENERGY OPTIONS

Nuclear could remain a longer-term possibility, but other forms of power generation may be more immediately feasible on the new island.

Dr Kim Jeong Won, senior research fellow at the Energy Studies Institute (ESI), NUS, said hydrogen-ready natural gas plants could be among the most plausible near-term options, given that natural gas is expected to remain a key part of Singapore's energy mix for decades.

She said the authorities have already planned additional hydrogen-ready gas generation capacity to meet rising electricity demand, and the western island could provide space for such plants.

Ammonia-fired power generation could be another option, she said, pointing to an existing project on Jurong Island that combines low- or zero-carbon ammonia power generation with ammonia bunkering.

"If this pilot is successful, the western island might provide a much larger platform for this concept for the next step."

An offshore location could accommodate a comprehensive system including generators, large-capacity ammonia storage, pipelines and substations, and could offer safety buffer advantages compared with residential areas on mainland Singapore, Dr Kim said.

The eventual energy mix would depend on available land, competing uses, access to the sea, costs and future energy needs, she added.

JURONG ISLAND 2.0

Prof Loh described the proposed island as potentially a "Jurong Island 2.0", following a similar playbook with a greater focus on energy.

Rather than committing to a particular technology now, he said the priority should be to make the island "energy ready", given how fast technologies are evolving and the island's long development timeline.

Beyond power generation, experts said the new island could host energy-intensive industries that need large amounts of reliable power.

Prof Loh identified data centres as one possibility, as the growth of artificial intelligence drives demand for computing capacity and electricity.

Dr Nian named semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, chemicals and potentially digital infrastructure as obvious candidates. "These industries could benefit from reliable low-carbon power and shared energy, water and utility infrastructure," he said.

Co-locating such industries with power generators could reduce the cost of transmitting energy to major consumers. Given that Bukom might be part of the new island, conventional petrochemical and related industries could also remain part of the mix, Prof Loh said.

RSIS' Dr Chew said electricity generated on the island could also support activities on nearby Jurong Island, such as petroleum refining and hydrogen production.

Reliability, affordability, emissions, safety and energy security should ultimately determine the mix, Dr Nian said.

"Equally important is how the energy will be used and by whom," he added.

While the island would not solve Singapore's lack of natural energy resources, it could ease the physical constraint on its energy choices, Dr Nian said.

"I believe that is strategically important: the western island can preserve options for future Singapore, including nuclear if we eventually decide that it is needed," he said.

However, experts also cautioned about the potential environmental impact. ESI's Dr Kim said land reclamation and thermal discharge from power plants could disrupt marine ecosystems, while Prof Loh raised concerns about the impact of reclamation works on coral reefs around the western and southern islands.

Beting Bemban Besar after the storm

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 02:41:00 +0000

A small team head through the storm to survey this humungous submerged reef near the ongoing reclamation at Pulau Sudong.

Photo by Richard Kuah

They make all kinds of special finds including Knobbly sea stars and many colourful marinelife commonly seen on our reefs. The corals and seagrasses seem alright. I had to skip this survey to attend another advocacy event. So much thanks to Richard for making sure the team was safe.

Quek Chui Qing found two Knobbly sea stars! We used to see many of them in the past, like on this 2010 survey but I have not been able to find them recently. The rest of the team saw common sea stars as well as many colourful slugs, flatworms, crabs and fishes commonly seen on our reefs.

Thanks to Zen Xuan He for this great clip of a shark peacefully hunting for fish at the reef edge. We often encounter them on our surveys, especially of the more remote offshores reefs. Our sharks are NOT dangerous to humans. It is perfectly safe to be on the shore with them if we respect their space. We have surveyed shores for decades, often in the dark among sharks, without any harm to people or sharks. Sharks are a sign of a healthy reef. Many sharks means there is enough fish for them to eat. So let's rejoice when we see sharks on our shores! More about our peaceful wild sharks.

It is always exciting to see animals that live in other animals. Today, the team saw anemonefish in Magnificent anemone, and also the rarely seen Merten's anemone. Rui Quan checked out every Cauliflower coral and found in a small one, a snapping shrimp and crab that live only in such corals.

The team saw 3 Fluted giant clams!

The team braved the thickening Sargassum seaweed to check out the reef edge. And they saw some large colonies, some special corals as well as Mushroom corals. There were also common corals, mostly boulder shaped ones. Towards the middle of the reef flat, they also saw one rather dense field of Branching montipora, as well as a few patches of more scattered ones - hopefully they will become more dense.

The team also saw many medium-sized colonies of Leathery soft coral of various kinds. They seemed to be alright.

Thanks to photos by Rui Quan Oh and Zen Xuan He, I sense the seagrass situation is similar to our May 2026 survey. We first observed seagrass recovery on our Jul 2025 survey. Seems like sprinkles of seagrasses evenly covered the shore - the green horizon in the photo Rui Quan took of a Brahminy kite that landed on the shore. There seems to be scattered patches of denser growth. Most seem fresh and green. Tape seagrass remain cropped.

The ongoing reclamation at Pulau Sudong is still very visible from Beting Bemban Besar. Thanks to Zen Xuan He for great close ups of the works. Seems like the sand mountains are getting flattened. But there are still many large vessels and construction equipment on the shore.

From Port Marine Notice No. 55 of 2026 "Reclamation at Pulau Sudong" with effect from 08 Apr 2026 to 07 Oct 2026. The works involve the installation of navigational buoys, removal of metallic debris, demolition of abandoned jetty, dredging works, installation of marine staging platforms for soil instrumentation, infilling works, marine vibrocompaction, stone revetment works, and jetty construction to facilitate the reclamation and jetty construction works at Pulau Sudong.

Here is the location of Beting Bemban Besar and other nearby shores in relation to the Sudong reclamation.

Google Earth does not show the current map of Pulau Sudong (historical imagery stops at 2023). But thanks to some help, I got this Copernicus view of the ongoing reclamation.

What is the fate of Beting Bemban Besar?

Large areas nearby are also slated for massive reclamation outlined recently in the Long-Term Plan Review.

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018

Pulau Semakau and nearby islands and submerged reefs have been recommended by the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 for Immediate Conservation Priority. The Blue Plan recommends the intertidal and subtidal marine areas of Pulau Semakau and adjacent Pulau Hantu, and Pulau Jong to be designated Marine Reserve.

Photo by Richard Kuah

The Blue Plan highlights that Pulau Semakau and its associated patch reefs comprise many ecosystems: coral reefs, mangrove areas, intertidal sandflats, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. The subtidal area of Pulau Jong is larger than the terrestrial area. Pulau Hantu is a popular dive site has seen increasing interest in the past decade due to biodiversity awareness. If protection is accorded to these three islands, zonation plans for use can be implemented to manage tourism and human impacts.

DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

Photos by others on this survey

Richard Kuah

Lon Voon Ong

Quek Chui Qing

Zen Xuan He

Tammy Lim

Rui Quan Oh

Others on the survey: Zheng Hao, Giant clam team

St John's Island still alive

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 08:24:27 +0000

Just minutes from the Central Business District, lies one of Singapore's last natural cliffs at St John's Island. The rocky shore and reef edge has corals. There are also seagrasses throughout, as well as rare mangrove trees on the untouched western shore, which is part of the Sisters Islands Marine Park.

A large team checks out the shores well before dawn. The corals seemed fine, seagrasses still doing well. As usual, the team make all the special finds: 'Nemo's and reef fishes, octopuses and Magnificent anemones. And slugs of all kinds.

As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds. A night time visit makes it easier to photograph fishes. Indeed the team saw many of the usual colourful reef fishes like anemonefish and damselfishes. As well as odd fishes like the razorfish, dragonets, flatheads and dragonets. Juvenile fishes also find shelter here, such as baby barracuda. A special wrasse was also seen, on this lovely shore, among the last with the full spectrum of habitats from coastal forest to reef edge.

The Magnificent anemones are still on the shore. As well as a nice Leathery sea fan. There were many octopuses and pygmy squids. And a tiny feather star. As usual, interesting slugs and flatworms are spotted.

I have never seen a lot of corals on this shore since I started surveying it. Most are boulder shaped, with common plate corals, mostly small to medium sized, but also a few very large colonies. Today, I saw the usual assortment and all seemed fine. I didn't see any bleaching corals, or corals with dying portions. As in the past, I saw a variety of small to medium-sized colonies of leathery soft corals.

St John's Island has one of the few remaining natural coastal forest, growing on natural cliffs leading onto a natural rocky shore with corals and other marine life.

The real treasures are the grandmother Nyireh laut tree and her daughters that grow on the western shore of St John's Island, which overlooks the Sisters and is part of the Sisters' Islands Marine Park. Nyireh laut is Critically Endangered in Singapore and we probably have only about 7 trees on our shores. There are another 3 on Sentosa Tg Rimau. Today, they are still fine, although the large wooden pallet is still lodged near one of the daughter trees.

It is natural for landslides to occur on our natural cliffs. Although these take out trees that grow there, these also produce the wonderful boulders and pebbly shores that we find so pleasing. Today, we revisit the landslide on the western shore, with the fallen tree at the base, mostly dead, though the upper parts remain green. The bare rock is slowly being colonised by small plants. On the eastern shore, the smaller landslide is still visible. While a very old landslide that had been cemented over is now almost hidden by foliage.

The sandy artificial lagoons are alive! Dotted with burrows of Sand bubbler crabs, signs of Acorn worms and on the high shore, Ghost crab burrows. There were still some Common sea stars and I saw a Common cerianthid.

Similar to our survey in Oct 2025, seagrasses here seem fine! Outside the seawall of the swimming lagoons, I saw clumps of Tape seagrass with long leaves (30-50cm), though many were cropped shorter (about 20cm). St John's Island is one of the few shores left that still has some long Tape seagrass. Inside the swimming lagoons, and on sandy patches in the natural rocky shore, there are large patches of Spoon seagrass with small leaves with sprinkles of Needle seagrass. On the Western shore facing Sisters Islands, there are still sprinkles of Sickle seagrass among the rocky areas. All seagrasses looked fresh and green and healthy.

There seems be a bloom of Bryopsis green seaweed on the small area of the rocky reef edge on the northern tip of the island. The annual Sargassum seaweed bloom is just starting up. Today on St John's Island, the seaweed getting fluffy at the reef edge near the jetty. But are starting to form thick carpets with long strands on the western shore facing the Sisters Islands. I'm tracking the bloom season as we feel that in recent years, it is starting earlier and ending later.

St John's Island in the Singapore Blue Plan

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018 highlights the importance of St John's Island to our marine biodiversity. The cluster of Kusu, Lazarus and St. John's Islands has been recommended by the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 for elevated protection status.

The Sisters Islands from the western shore of St. John's Island.

The Blue Plan highlights that Lazarus, St. John’s, and Kusu Islands are established sites for coral nurseries as their shoreline offers ideal sheltered areas for growth of corals. Designating these islands as No-fishing Areas can bolster their rehabilitation. Protecting a larger cluster of islands means zonation plans for use can be implemented to manage tourism and human impacts.

DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

Photos by others on the survey

Richard Kuah

Rui Quan Oh

Jianlin Liu

Marcus Ng

Sam Lau

Jason Ooi

Mathias Luk

Myra Khoo

Others on this survey: Lester Tan, Zheng Hao, Yaohui, Anya, Qing.

Ubin rocks still alive

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:04:03 +0000

A small team surveys the living rocks and seagrass meadows next to Ubin Jetty.

We started at Thomson's Rock which was sparsely 'painted' with colourful encrusting animals. And ended up at the shore opposite the old Civil Service Chalets, where the sea fans were much reduced. The rest of the team make all the special finds: flatworms of all kinds, lots of crabs.

This rock is made famous by John Turnbull Thomson's 1850 painting: "Grooved stones on Pulo Ubin near Singapore."

Image from Pacific Rim Digital Library Alliance

The fluted sides of Thomson's Rock were 'painted' with sparse patches of colourful encrusting sponges, ascidians and fluffy hydroids. Compared to our last survey in Jun 2025, today the variety remains low. Seems like the shore has not recovered to what we saw in Jun 2021. Nevertheless, we saw one Rose nudibranch and many Blue-dotted flatworms which feast on such encrusting animals.

The sea fan garden near the jetty seems much reduced today, compared to our last survey in Jun 2025. But there were still large colonies of Flat branch sea fans and Asparagus sea fan. As well as some of the commonly seen varieties. Most were well covered with Tiny colourful brittle stars. But near the Big Rock and even among the live ones near the jetty, there were many dead sea fans.

There were many Zebra corals, which can be quite common on our Northern rocky shores. I saw some Cave corals and one small Flowery disk coral. I saw many more small colonies of Pink flowery soft corals stuck on the big rocks than I did on our last survey in Jun 2025. I didn't see any that were bleaching.

The rest of the team make all the special finds. On the rocks, there were many small flatworms, and some large ones of various kinds. A rock star was spotted. Samuel took great closeup of the sponges. And Jaeden captured the lovely sunrise reflected in the rock pools.

The team also spotted more life in the soft seagrassy areas. So glad the Tiger anemone named after our beloved Prof Daphne is still there. Cadence spotted a mangrove synaptid sea cucumber that looks like a worm and commonly seen on our northern mudflats. Plus the usual soft shore animals like cerianthids, sea pens. And all kinds of crabs large and small.

Today I saw sprinkles of Spoon seagrass (with large leaves) all along the shoreline from the Big Rock to Ubin Jetty. The leaves were nice and green, most were free of epiphytes. The ground is very soft in some parts. This is similar to our last survey in Jun 2025. The tide turned before sunrise so I couldn't see if the seagrasses were as lush as they were in Jun 2021. The shore was rather quiet. Haddon's carpet anemones remained the most abundant cnidarian visible here. There were many Ball sea cucumbers, but I only saw one Thorny sea cucumber. I saw the usual variety of sea pens but no cerianthids. I saw one hermit crab.

What is the fate of Pulau Ubin?

This shore, together with Chek Jawa and Pulau Sekudu is slated for reclamation in the Long-Term Plan Review. The plan includes a road link (black line) from the mainland jumping off at Punggol, crossing to Pulau Ubin through Chek Jawa to jump off to Pulau Tekong before circling back to the mainland on Changi East. Proposed reclamation (in yellow) will bury Pasir Ris shores, Pulau Sekudu and Chek Jawa as well as a large stretches of Changi Beach.

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018

Among the Proposed Areas for Immediate Conservation Priority, the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 proposes that the intertidal and subtidal marine areas of Pulau Ubin to be designated Marine Reserve.

We started in the dark and ended at sunrise as the tide turned.

The proposed area would include Tanjung Chek Jawa, the largest known intertidal area in northern Singapore. Considered one of the richest in Singapore, Chek Jawa comprises many adjacent ecosystems: coastal hill forest, mangrove areas, rocky shores, seagrass meadows, coral communities, and sandy areas. Chek Jawa remains an icon of celebration and hope for many Singaporeans since its reprieve from reclamation in 2001.

DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

Photos by others on this survey

Richard Kuah

Jaeden Lim

Anya Gajanur

Samuel Lau

Rui Quan Oh

Others on this survey: Cadence Foong, Rui Quan

Less starry at a Changi shore

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 03:19:34 +0000

I made a quick solo survey of sliver of Changi shore that is seldom done by the whole team. I surveyed in Jul 2025 following a break in May 2021.

The seagrasses seem to be doing well in the less disturbed parts of the shore. But I saw fewer and smaller sea stars. The shore was affected by seawall works all of 2024. It doesn't seem to have recovered fully from this yet.

I was relieved to see some Biscuit sea stars, which seemed to have disappeared from some of our northern shores in recent years. Compared to our last survey in Jul 2025, I didn't any big ones, only small or tiny ones today. All the others sea stars I saw were small or tiny: Eight-armed sand star, Cake sea star, Plain sand star. I didn't see any Knobbly sea stars. I saw some of the sea cucumbers commonly seen on our northern shores, all were small or tiny, and not super abundant. Only the Ball sea cucumbers were the usual size.

I saw a mama octopus near her egg strings inside an empty volute shell. Mama octopuses will guard their eggs not eating, and often dying after the eggs hatch. Not sure why the shell is in this state and parts of the egg string broken off nearby. I hope she can fix things when the tide returns. The most abundant anemone remains Haddon's carpet anemones, I didn't see any other kinds of anemones. I saw one cerianthid but no sea pens. I didn't see any live volutes, but empty shells were occupied by crabs or hermit crabs. There were a few large Moon snail sand collars. I looked for and didn't find any Ghost crab burrows until the seawall and sand bags ended.

As during the Jul 2025 survey, in the more undisturbed part of the shore, there were patches of healthy looking Fern seagrass (which is only common in our Northern shores like Changi, Chek Jawa and Pulau Sekudu). There were also lush Needle seagrass (narrow leaves) and Spoon seagrass (big leaves). Elsewhere, there were sprinkles of Spoon seagrass with small leaves. Today, also Needle seagrass with narrow leaves.

The legs of a jetty nearby still had colourful sponges, ascidians and hyroids. But I didn't see any sea fans or feather stars or flowery soft corals, no cowries or flatworms. Seems like the diversity is even lower than our last survey in Jul 2025, which was already lower than our survey in May 2021. There were still some sprinkles of the usual sponges, ascidians and hydroids. As on our last survey in Jul 2025, I didn't see the Burgundy anemone - it was still there in May 2021, I first saw it in Sep 2018.

Similar to our survey in Jul 2025. It is no longer possible to access this shore without climbing seawalls, or walking a long distance to where this is easier access. The seawalls along the entire shoreline from the SAF Ferry Terminal to Carpark 3 were being repaired most of 2024. Beyond the granite seawall, there is now a stretch of huge bags forming a wall. Below the 'bag' area, large rocks. The shore directly opposite the work area still has a lot of coarse sand and the sand bars there have hardly any seagrass.

Fishing seems a common activity from the seawall. I saw one crab trap, a few fishing rods, many entangled fishing lines and some long abandoned nets already grown over by seaweeds.

What is the fate of these shores?

In 2013, the plans were to reclaim all of Pasir Ris, all of Changi from Carpark 1 to Carpark 7 and beyond, and reclaim Chek Jawa and Pulau Sekudu. These appear to remain in place in the Long-Term Plan Review. Including plans for a road link that starts at Pasir Ris, crosses to Pulau Ubin, right across Chek Jawa to Pulau Tekong, and back to the mainland at Changi East.

Aviation Park reclamation at Changi

In Jul 2025, it was announced that adjustments were made to protect seagrasses at Changi from Carpark 6 to 7, in a planned 193ha reclamation to develop an aviation park. The original reclamation outlined in the Long-Term Plan, was cut by nearly one-fifth, or 45ha. This adjustment will benefit a seagrass area of about 34ha. But a study found seagrasses off the north of Changi Beach Park, Changi Golf Club and Chek Jawa Wetlands are expected to suffer from a “slight negative impact”, even if measures to blunt the reclamation’s impact are adopted. Corals within the project’s footprint and a surrounding buffer area will be transplanted elsewhere before development works begin. No timeline was given for the reclamation.

See Changi shores for yourself!

They are easy to get to, and enjoyed by many people. It remains rich in marine life. More details in "Changi - an easy intertidal adventure for the family".

Pulau Tekukor is alive!

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sun, 02 Aug 2026 07:46:04 +0000

Just minutes from Sentosa Cove, lies the natural reefy rocky shores of Pulau Tekukor. Including last longest natural coastal cliff in Singapore.

The corals seems fine, and coastal forest looks good. As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds: giant clams and more! I will update later.

As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds: colourful flatworms and nudibranchs, reef fishes and octopus, tiny sea stars. And also make interesting interpretations of the rocks.

Today, we saw two large Fluted giant clams. Unfortunately, one that we saw in the past is missing. We didn't even find the shells.

Rui Quan and Chui Qing took great photos of the monkeys eating washed up mangrove propagules and seagrass.

The western shore of Pulau Tekukor is part of the Sisters Islands Marine Park. Thanks to the team for checking on this stretch, it seems the seagrass situation is similar to our last survey in Jan 2025 and in Mar 2024. There are still Sickle seagrass with fresh green leaf blades. The patch of Tape seagrass is still there with longish leaves (about 20-30cm), but no flowers. Seems they didn't see any Spoon seagrass. I didn't see much bloom of Bryopsis seaweed as we did in Jan 2025 The sargassum seaweed is just starting to bloom on the reef edge.

I have never seen a lot of hard corals on this shore. As on our last survey in Jan 2025, there remains a few large ones. I saw the usual sprinkling of small colonies of the boulder-shaped common hard corals. Most seemed alright and well-formed without dings and dead portions. I didn't see any that were bleaching.

As in the past, there remains some small to medium sized leathery soft corals of various kinds. I didn't see any that were bleaching or stressed.

Pulau Tekukor has probably the last longest natural coastal cliff in Singapore. It is cloaked in a natural coastal forest. Today, I spent most of the time here. The forest seem alright with the usual trees and plants commonly seen.

Rock slides and landslides are a natural part of cliffs. They are what create the charming rocky shore and pebbly beach. But the falling rocks also take out trees and plants.

Nasry was particularly keen to have a closer look at the many large patches of Raffles pitcher plants that continue to grow well here. We noticed, they seem to form a fringe under the growth of Resam. We saw some with large pitchers and others with small ones. Most were flowering profusely.

There was also a large healthy Nyireh bunga producing large bomb-shaped fruits, a small Chengam shrub profusely flowering and fruiting, and several Beach gardenias also flowering.

We were shadowed by four macaques as we explored the coastal forest area. While we were amused by the one little macaque that appeared to stalk Yan Le very closely, we were probably also being stalked by the others in the troop. The macaques didn't confort or attack us and they left us alone after it became apparent we had nothing to offer them.

There was an intriguing line of Tape seagrass and Sickle seagrass washed up on the mid-water mark. Nasry noticed the macaques were nibbling on them. We also saw the small patch of Sickle seagrass on the southern most point facing St John's Island. I didn't make it to the western shore where most of the seagrass is. Hope to update based on observations by the rest of the team.

I am relieved to see that the trash on the high shore remains highly reduced, first noticed in our last survey in Mar 2023. In previous years, there is usually a lot of plastic trash here. I hope whatever changed the situation continues to keep trash off the shore.

The shores of Pulau Tekukor might be impacted by the Keppel Tg. Pagar reclamation, slated to start after end of 2027. Feedback to these plans highlighted that nearby shores such as Tekukor might be impacted by higher sedimentation from these works.

Photos by others on the survey

Loh Kok Sheng

Che Cheng Neo

Richard Kuah

Jianlin Liu

Rui Quan Oh

Chui Qing

Others on the survey: Jason Ooi, Dylan Seng, Samuel Lau, Lester Tan, Yan Le Su, Muhd Nasry, Qing, Giant clam team

Pulau Semakau (North) with 3 giant clams

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 07:50:15 +0000

Pulau Semakau (North) is close to the petrochemical plants of Pulau Bukom and yet has some great reefs. A full team survey today and find 3 giant clams, a seahorse, special sea anemones and more.

The corals seem mostly alright although there are signs of stress in some colonies. The seagrasses remain sparse.

Today, the Giant Clam team are not with us, working on another shore. So we try our best to find clams and seahorses for them. Bravo to Dylan for finding a Burrowing giant clam (9cm) as soon as we landed. A little worrying to see it has a bleaching bit on its flesh - like corals, giant clams also rely on symbiotic algae to make food from sunlight, and thus can also bleach. Sam Lau found a large Fluted giant clam (35cm) near the reef edge. And Marcus found the another (23cm) near our departure point. And I found a seahorse! Wow, I was so surprised.

As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds. We landed during a spectacular sunrise. Marcus found the Leathery sea anemone which we rarely encounter. Zen found a Strapweed filefish, also not often seen. There were also 'Nemos', Magnificent anemones and Fire anemones. Richard saw two special flatworms not often seen, while everyone else saw a lot of Spangled flatworms and many different kinds of nudibranchs. Including some mating, and egg ribbons laid.

So delighted that Dr Clarence Sim has captured a view of several sharks peacefully foraging on the reef edge. Great proof of how we often encounter them on our surveys, especially of the more remote offshores reefs. But they are shy and will flee as soon as they sense we are nearby.

Tammy also captured a view of these sharks. Our sharks are NOT dangerous to humans. It is perfectly safe to be on the shore with them if we respect their space. We have surveyed shores for decades, often in the dark among sharks, without any harm to people or sharks.

Sharks are a sign of a healthy reef. Many sharks means there is enough fish for them to eat. So let's rejoice when we see sharks on our shores! We often see sharks cruising the edge of submerged reefs at low tide, probably waiting for the tide to turn. Just as the moment a 'kopi tiam' door opens, the sharks are eager to rush in and be the first to get the fishes. Adding these great clips to our compilation of peaceful sharks seen on our shores.

The team also shared some awesome underwater reefscapes. And sightings of some special corals.

Although most of the corals and cnidarians seen seem alright. The team did see a few corals that were stressed or bleaching. Or had large patches of dying tissues. Including one bleached anemone.

Within sight of the ongoing Sudong reclamation, there are stretches of rich reefs on Pulau Semakau North.

The coral situation seems similar to our last survey in Apr 2025. The reef edge remains rich with many well formed healthy corals. Mostly boulder shaped corals, but also some plate corals. There were also many mushroom corals.

I saw about 5 colonies full on bleaching, some were stressed (pale or pinkish), many corals had dead portions taken over by algae. I saw one Boulder pore coral with bluish grey dying tissue.

Today, I saw many Leathery soft corals on the reef edge of various kinds. I didn't see any that were bleaching, but one had peeling 'skin'.

I also briefly checked the seagrass situation. There remains basically no seagrass in the shallow lagoon which used to have lots of long Tape seagrasses. This is similar to our last survey in Apr 2025.

In this lagoon, I saw a sprinkle of Spoon seagrass (small leaves) and dense patch of green scum (got scammed, thought it was seagrass) with a little Noble volute in it. I saw one clumps of cropped Tape seagrass. At the reef edge, I did see small clumps of Tape seagrasses with longer leaves (about 30cm). Thankfully, Dr Clarence did a better survey of seagrasses, check out his album here.

The ongoing Sudong reclamation is visible from the reefs on Pulau Semakau North.

Thanks to Zen for taking these great photo of the ongoing Sudong reclamation. It seems to still be in full swing. The pile of sand seems to still be growing taller with huge vessels spitting out sand, excavators moving sand. And other huge vessels working nearby.

Here is the location of Pulau Hantu and other nearby shores in relation to the Sudong reclamation.

More about Pulau Semakau

Just as Changi Airport and Changi Beach are not the same even though they are near one another and share a name, Pulau Semakau is NOT the same as the Semakau Landfill. The Landfill was created by destroying all of Pulau Saking, and about half of the original Pulau Semakau by building a very long seawall. Fortunately, the landfill was constructed and is managed in such a way that the original mangroves, seagrass meadows and reefs on Pulau Semakau were allowed to remain. It is NOT true that the construction of the Landfill created the marine life found on Pulau Semakau. The marine life was there long before the Landfill was built.

What is the fate of Pulau Semakau (North)?

Pulau Semakau (North) is likely to be affected by the massive reclamation outlined recently in the Long-Term Plan Review.

The Blue Plan highlights that Pulau Semakau and its associated patch reefs comprise many ecosystems: coral reefs, mangrove areas, intertidal sandflats, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. The subtidal area of Pulau Jong is larger than the terrestrial area. Pulau Hantu is a popular dive site has seen increasing interest in the past decade due to biodiversity awareness. If protection is accorded to these three islands, zonation plans for use can be implemented to manage tourism and human impacts.

DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

Photos by others on this survey

Che Cheng Neo

Richard Kuah

Rui Quan Oh

Zen Xuan He

Marcus Ng

Tammy Lim

Lon Voon Ong

Clarence Sim

Others on this trip: Yan Le Su, Ian Mun, Dylan Seng, Sam Lau, Chui Qing

Mangroves growing on Pulau Hantu seawall still doing well

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:16:05 +0000

Today, I focused almost entirely on the mangroves growing on the artificial seawalls of Pulau Hantu. Such a joy to do this with another mangrove enthusiast - thanks Kwan Siong! Amazing to see the mangroves, reefs and all kinds of marine life just opposite the huge petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom.

We visited the large Nyireh laut growing on the seawall, and may have found another small treelet in the Southern lagoon. But sadly, someone had chopped all the saplings that settled on the Southern lagoon. My brief look suggest the corals are mostly alright. The rest of the team make all the special finds, I will update later.

As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds. Richard spotted the sundial snail, which we seldom encounter. Everyone saw the usual nudibranchs commonly seen on our reefs. Also octopuses, sea star, anemones of all kinds and a red feather star.

Thanks to the rest of the team for documenting the north-western reef edge. I'm relieved to see that it is still rich and most of the corals seem alright. There were many mushroom corals of all sizes and shapes, and special corals like Anchor corals. The big colony of blue Branching horn corals was still there with a big dead patch in the middle which I first observed in Mar 2025. The long stretch of Branching montipora corals in the shallow lagoon between Hantu Kecil and Hantu Besar seems to still be there.

While waiting for daylight, I was delighted to see happy clown anemonefishes in a Giant carpet anemone, just across the massive petrochemical plants, all still alight in the dark.

At sunrise, I got to the top of the seawall for a view of the mangroves growing here. A great view of the surrounding Terumbus, Pulau Hantu from the mangroves on the seawall.

Mangroves have settled naturally on the artificial seawall around the northern lagoon. I had earlier noticed this in Apr 09 (although they were probably growing there much much earlier). The trees are still growing very well. With fresh green leaves hardly chewed up by bugs or dinged by disease. Almost every tree was flowering or producing propagules.

Kwan Siong and I revisit the rare Nyireh laut that we first saw growing on the seawall in Jun 2025. Listed as Critically Endangered in Singapore, we probably have only about 7 trees on our shores. I visit those at Sentosa Tg Rimau and St John's Island regularly.

We also noticed a small tree next to the enormous Nyireh bunga, and we think it might also be a Nyireh laut! It seems the treelet was there in Jun 2025, but not in May 2022. The treelet had been chopped together with all the other treelets in the Southern lagoon. But it had managed to sprout new branches! While the Rhizophora next to it has not.

Heartbreaking to see that someone had chopped off all the young well-growing Rhizophora growing on the seawall of the Southern lagoon that I saw in Jun 2025. I first noticed this in May 2022 and they were okay in Jun 2025. Today, we even saw the chopped off portion of the trees on the shore, with a sheer clean cut on the trunk. Such a shame. But small saplings are starting to settle again on the seawall. Hope they will grow up unmolested.

Mangroves have also settled within the artificial Northern lagoon of Hantu Besear. Mangrove saplings settle among the lush border of Gelang laut on the high shore. And some grow quite large, including a tall Perepat near the seawall.

I only checked the corals at the mouth of the big lagoon on Hantu Besar. They were mostly boulder shaped corals. Almost all the Boulder pore corals had dying tissues (bluish grey). But most Merulinid boulder shaped corals were prefectly okay without even dead portions on the top. These were also growing on dead portions at the top of pan-caked shaped Boulder pore corals. There were still healthy corals in the shallow lagoon between Hantu Kecil and Hantu Besar. I didn't see any bleaching corals.

There were some medium sized colonies of Leathery soft corals of various kinds. As well as Asparagus flowery soft corals. All looked alright, although there were some pale patches on the flowery soft corals. I also saw a Magnificent anemone and Leathery sea fan.

Similar to our survey in Jun 2025 and Mar 2025, there remains hardly any signs of seagrasses. Few clumps of Tape seagrass with cropped leaves (about 20cm) heavily covered in ephiphytes. Even Spoon seagrasses (tiny leaves) remain sparse.

The ongoing Sudong reclamation is visible from the Southern lagoon of Hantu Besar.

Here is the location of Pulau Hantu and other nearby shores in relation to the Sudong reclamation.

What is the fate of Pulau Hantu?

Pulau Hantu and all the terumbus west of it are slated for massive reclamation outlined recently in the Long-Term Plan Review. Singapore's submerged reefs are often out of sight under the high tide and thus forgotten.

From western Hantu Besar, thanks to Jason's photo, we could see the full extent of the planned reclamation all the way to Terumbu Pempang Laut indicated by the yellow arrow. On the horizon, Jurong Island's industrial complex.

The Blue Plan highlights that Pulau Semakau and its associated patch reefs comprise many ecosystems: coral reefs, mangrove areas, intertidal sandflats, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. The subtidal area of Pulau Jong is larger than the terrestrial area. Pulau Hantu is a popular dive site has seen increasing interest in the past decade due to biodiversity awareness. If protection is accorded to these three islands, zonation plans for use can be implemented to manage tourism and human impacts.

DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

Photos of others at the survey

Chay Hoon

Rui Quan Oh

Richard Kuah

Jason Ooi

Others on this survey: Sam Lau, Ian Mun, Giant Clam team, Anya, Kwan Siong, Yaohui.

Mass coral bleaching expected in Mar-May 2027

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:06:10 +0000

Mass coral bleaching is likely in Singapore in Mar-May 2027. NParks will be monitoring.

Mass coral bleaching at Kusu Island, Jun 2024

Karenne Tun, group director of NParks’ National Biodiversity Centre said that while recent studies show that repeated bleaching in Singapore has caused relatively low immediate coral death – usually under 10%, and about 5% in the 2024 bleaching event – the reefs are changing and have “flattened” over time. Repeated bleaching and shifts to simpler reefs may affect coral spawning, limiting the reefs’ long-term resilience even if they appear to recover.

Marine biologist Huang Danwei, deputy head of NUS’ Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum noted that increased frequency of coral bleaching events means reefs have less time to recover between them. When corals do not recover, the flora and fauna that depend on reef habitats also decline in abundance and diversity.

According to third World Ocean Assessment: “The reefs of today will not be the reefs of tomorrow, and shifting baselines need to be considered when setting objectives, with respect to conservation, restoration and regeneration".

Current efforts include NParks’ 100k Corals Initiative, launched in December 2024 to plant 100,000 corals in Singapore over the next decade and beyond. It is the most extensive coral restoration effort in Singapore to date. Jani Tanzil, facility director of the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, noted that in Singapore’s case, where only about 10 sq km of reefs remain, there is no choice but to turn to this last resort of reef restoration to combat their decline.

Singapore corals may come under threat in 2027 if El Nino turns strong as predicted; NParks monitoring
Chin Hui Shan Straits Times Jul 27, 2026, 05:00 AM

SINGAPORE – If a super El Nino develops as predicted, it could turn Singapore’s reefs white again in 2027, just three years after the country’s coral reefs suffered widespread bleaching.

This is likely to take place between March and May 2027, during the expected tail end of the current El Nino event, as its impact on temperatures is highest when it weakens.

While this is not a certainty, El Nino conditions are already present and are likely to become strong during August and September, according to the Meteorological Service Singapore’s May 29 update.

The National Parks Board said that if El Nino proceeds as predicted, impacts on coral reefs may intensify in 2027, adding that it is monitoring the situation.

Marine biologist Huang Danwei, deputy head of NUS’ Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, said that if El Nino picks up rapidly and extends through the middle of 2027, there is a “good chance” that higher sea temperatures will cause severe coral bleaching.

Corals get their vibrant colours from microscopic algae that live in their tissues. When they are stressed by rising sea temperatures, the corals expel the algae and turn ashen white in a phenomenon known as coral bleaching.

These algae supply the corals with nutrients, so when bleaching occurs, the corals become vulnerable to disease and may eventually die.

Global coral bleaching events occurred in 1998, 2010, 2016 and 2024, with Singapore also experiencing mass bleaching during those years.

All four global bleaching events followed El Nino – a climate phenomenon that warms sea surface temperatures and lifts global temperatures.

Severe bleaching during strong El Nino events can cause extensive coral mortality, reduce their structural complexity and lead to long-term declines in reef fish diversity and abundance, said Karenne Tun, group director of NParks’ National Biodiversity Centre.

While recent studies show that repeated bleaching in Singapore has caused relatively low immediate coral death – usually under 10 per cent, and about 5 per cent in the 2024 bleaching event – the reefs are changing and have “flattened” over time, she said.

Studies also indicate that a combination of factors, including heat stress, chronic turbidity, sedimentation and coastal development, has, over recent decades, shifted reefs from branching, structurally complex corals to more stress-tolerant, massive and dome-shaped forms, said Tun.

Repeated bleaching and such shifts to simpler reefs may affect coral spawning and potentially reduce reproductive output, limiting coral reefs’ long-term resilience even if they appear to recover, she added.

“Even when coral mortality is relatively low and coral cover remains moderate, research indicates that the loss of structurally important coral species can reduce habitat availability, biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, carbonate production and coastal protection functions,” she said.

Huang noted that the increased frequency of coral bleaching events also means that coral reefs will have less time to recover between them.

When corals do not recover, the flora and fauna that depend on reef habitats also decline in abundance and diversity.

Declines in reef fish – which are critically important for the food security and livelihoods of millions in South-east Asia – could endanger the lives of the most vulnerable communities, he added.

This comes as coral reefs have been under siege.

The third World Ocean Assessment, published on June 8, found that global coral cover continues to decline due to increasing ocean temperatures associated with climate change, continued coastal development, pollution, sedimentation, diseases, and marine resource destruction and over-extraction.

The frequency and severity of disturbances caused by heatwaves, disease outbreaks and tropical storms have also increased, it wrote, curtailing the recovery time between such disturbances.

This pattern is projected to continue on its current trajectory or accelerate, it added.

Written by more than 650 experts from 86 countries, the assessment provides the latest insights into the health of the oceans, providing a vital evidence base to help make better decisions for a sustainable future.

It is also the only global integrated assessment of the state of the marine environment that explores the environmental, economic and social dimensions of the ocean.

Tun said the report, unlike most global reports, does not prescribe policy. Instead, it brings together hundreds of national and regional assessments into an authoritative “health check” of the ocean that is policy-neutral but policy-relevant.

Documenting how climate change, pollution and overfishing, among other factors, put ocean systems under severe strain, the report calls for stronger multilateral cooperation and is designed to help policymakers sustainably manage the ocean.

The paper also found that ocean acidification – which refers to rising carbon dioxide levels in seawater – adds further stress to corals.

Ocean acidification makes it harder for corals to build their structures and weakens the reef foundation, making it difficult for reefs to keep growing upwards, said marine biogeochemist Patrick Martin from NTU’s Asian School of the Environment.

While Martin – who contributed to the report – noted that studies have shown that excessive acidification can harm corals, he said corals also show tolerance to acidification to a certain extent, though more research is needed.

He added that while ocean acidification is currently not the most pressing threat to coral reefs and has not reached extreme levels, it is steadily increasing alongside other threats that damage coral reefs.

Tun, who also contributed to the report, said that ocean acidification is already contributing to reduced skeletal density, slower growth and greater erosion risk in South-east Asian reefs, although these effects are harder to detect than bleaching and are often masked by co-occurring local stressors.

She said that the report also highlights that South-east Asia as a hot spot where warming, ocean acidification, nutrient pollution and land run-off coalesce, with reefs also experiencing low carbonate levels, which worsen the effects of acidification.

Under high-emissions scenarios, modelling and observational work in South-east Asia suggest that many reefs will become “marginal” for net reef growth between 2020 and 2050, said Tun.

This means that the rate of coral growth could barely keep pace with physical and biological erosion, even if live coral cover persists, she added.

The paper also noted that while efforts to conserve, restore and regenerate corals are under way, few initiatives are carried out sustainably. It said that the approaches and tools – often designed to mitigate or halt reef decline – are usually restricted to local reef-wide projects and could be difficult to scale up.

It also emphasised that global efforts are needed to support the survival and continued functioning of reef ecosystems by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change.

“The reefs of today will not be the reefs of tomorrow, and shifting baselines need to be considered when setting objectives, with respect to conservation, restoration and regeneration,” it wrote.

Huang, who contributed to the paper, said that measures like active restoration of degraded ecosystems, management of local stressors and the introduction of more temperature-resilient corals into reef systems need to be explored and scaled up.

However, restoration – such as coral gardening – alone cannot prevent coral reefs from degrading as climate change intensifies, said Huang, as the sheer logistical scale required for restoration to outpace climate change is staggering.

“Ultimately, climate change needs to be halted and reversed for coral reefs to have a reasonable chance to retain the functions that human communities have found useful and utilised for their sustenance and development,” he said.

Current efforts include NParks’ 100k Corals Initiative, which was launched in December 2024 with the aim of planting 100,000 corals in Singapore waters over the next decade and beyond. It is the most extensive coral restoration effort in Singapore to date.

However, Jani Tanzil, facility director of the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, noted that reef restoration should be seen as a last resort because it is not realistic in many parts of the region, given its high costs and limited impact.

But in Singapore’s case, where only about 10 sq km of reefs remain, she said there is no choice but to turn to this last resort to combat their decline.

To help conserve coral ecosystems globally, Huang said people can reduce their carbon footprint by opting for more energy-efficient choices.

They can also support local coastal conservation projects, choose sustainable seafood and advocate for stronger environmental policies, he added.

“Reefs as we know them may not persist through business-as-usual trajectories, but meaningful recovery remains achievable if climate action and restoration efforts advance together urgently,” he said.

‘Good’ bacteria and HIIT could train Singapore corals to withstand hotter seas
Shabana Begum Straits Times Jul 27, 2026, 05:00 AM

SINGAPORE – Just as some people rely on probiotic drinks and regular exercise to stay healthy, corals could also benefit from a special bacterium and a training regime to survive rising sea temperatures.

Bracing themselves for the next marine heatwave amid El Nino, Singapore scientists have identified a bacterium living in reefs that can fortify corals’ resilience to heat, potentially helping to prevent bleaching.

At the same time, researchers have been putting coral fragments through a heat-conditioning regime in aquariums to acclimatise them to higher temperatures.

Strengthened by these methods, 160 coral fragments were transplanted into the reefs of Kusu Island and St John’s Island in late May and will remain there for a year.

Coral fragments are small pieces of living coral that can grow into new colonies.

Every two weeks, researchers will revisit the artificial reefs to keep track of the corals’ growth, survival, colour and how well they absorb sunlight to produce energy– a key indicator of the animals’ health.

They will also be monitored for any changes in their microbial communities, said Huang Danwei, an associate professor and deputy head of the NUS Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

“The corals will face the warmest months of the year initially, from May to July, and potentially through the marine heatwave caused by El Nino,” he said.

Huang is overseeing the study, which is under the National Parks Board’s Marine Climate Change Science Programme.

This is part of Singapore’s quest to find solutions to address the wave of challenges climate change is bringing to the marine world.

Amid El Nino and forecasts that the phenomenon will rapidly intensify in the coming months, scientists are bracing themselves for a potential marine heatwave in 2027 that could cause mass coral bleaching – just three years after the previous El Nino killed 5 per cent of corals in Singapore.

Higher sea temperatures stress coral reefs, forcing them to expel the algae called zooxanthellae that give them their striking colours. This causes corals to bleach, or turn ash-white.

While the most well-known of coral microbes are zooxanthellae, they are not the only microscopic wonders that reside in the underwater garden. Bacteria, viruses and fungi also live on corals; some cause diseases, while others help to recycle nutrients and shield the animals from stress.

From NTU School of Biological Sciences, Rebecca Case – an associate professor and marine bacteria expert – and her team turned detective to find one microbe within the ringed plate coral species that confers protection against heat stress.

This coral species was selected as it has low susceptibility to bleaching and a strong ability to recover after it turns white.

As part of the screening process, each bacterium was isolated, and its DNA mapped to identify genes that could potentially be beneficial to corals.

Eventually, one bacterium, or probiotic, from the Roseobactereaceae family was identified as having properties that can confer heat resilience to corals.

Case’s colleague Joao Pereyra dosed coral fragments with the bacterium and raised the water temperature to test the probiotic’s effect on their survival. The stronger strains were used in the field.

Case said: “Coral fragments were submerged in a dilute wash of the bacteria for eight hours so they had time to swim to the coral and get themselves stuck to its mucus and eventually its cells and skeleton.”

Each strain differs in terms of how it sticks to the coral, so the more “sticky” ones needed to be identified, she added.

There are three ways the bacterium can make corals more resistant to warmer seas.

First, it converts sulphur-rich compounds produced by corals into a gas that can escape into the air. This gas can have a cooling effect on the atmosphere by helping clouds to form more easily and reflect some sunlight back into space.

Second, the microbes produce vitamins that stabilise heat-sensitive processes in the corals. Third, the microbes also produce antibiotics and other molecules that prevent viruses from infecting stressed corals.

Forty coral fragments were eventually treated with the bacterium before being transplanted to the reefs.

At the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, coral fragments have been undergoing intensive conditioning in tanks. The facility’s director, Jani Tanzil, calls it heat HIIT (high-intensity interval training) for corals.

Over four weeks, the corals are exposed to water temperatures that swing from 29 deg C – Singapore’s average sea temperature – to 32 deg C. This is higher than the surrounding waters’ average monthly maximum temperature of 30.5 deg C in the hotter months of May to June.

Senior research fellow Tanzil said: “This results in the corals being exposed to an accumulated heat load that would stress the corals, but not enough to kill them.”

The regime worked well to boost heat tolerance in the ringed plate corals, especially for the weaker fragments, she added.

Another 40 fragments in the field have undergone heat acclimatisation, while an additional 40 have been exposed to both the microbe and the HIIT. The final 40 are untreated and serve as a control.

The aim of this project is to find the optimal solution to fortify corals against a boiling sea.

Tanzil said: “All the aquarium experiments have given us confidence that these methods to boost coral resilience work in semi-controlled settings and in shorter timeframes.

“A big question is how long these methods last – what are the lasting effects of the probiotics or the HIIT treatments?”

Nearly two months in, 98 per cent of the corals are surviving, said Huang.

Three other coral species, including a cauliflower-shaped coral, are undergoing aquarium trials and will be transplanted in 2027.

Huang added that the two methods can be scaled up if the strengthened coral fragments perform better than the controls during a marine heatwave.

“In future, fragments that have undergone HIIT or microbial treatment (or both) could be transplanted to sustain natural coral populations that may face higher mortality during heat stress.

“We could develop a field-based inoculation approach to introduce the resilient microbes directly to adult coral colonies on the reef,” he said.

Long Island: NParks to study fish on reclaimed shores

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 00:11:23 +0000

As preparatory works for the Long Island start in end-2026, NParks announced a study of fish on reclaimed shores. Initiated in 2025, expected to span 3 years, official start date not revealed.

HDB said “Given the mobility of fish and the availability of habitats outside of the work areas (of the Long Island preparatory works), the impact on fish is assessed to be temporary and localised.”

Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum's senior collection manager of fishes Tan Heok Hui said there will not be enough time for the NParks study to document comprehensively the existing biodiversity at Bedok Jetty. He noted no proper baseline surveys currently exist for the East Coast area. And existing impact assessments often overlook less mobile, bottom-dwelling or burrowing organisms. Because the entire East Coast is already on reclaimed land, it is technically considered of lower ecological importance compared with pristine marine habitats.

Four anglers in their 20s formed a fish interest group to document the species at fishing hot spot Bedok Jetty before works start. Student Lin Jiayuan, 24, and three of his friends founded the Ichthyological Society of Singapore on July 6. The group, which has grown to more than 80 members, aims to document the biodiversity that remains along the Republic’s rapidly developing coastlines.
NParks plans study on fish along reclaimed shores, including where Long Island works will take place
Ang Qing Straits Times Jul 25, 2026, 12:00 PM

SINGAPORE – The National Parks Board (NParks) is planning to study marine fish communities along the Republic’s reclaimed shores to better design and manage such habitats.

Fish scientists and enthusiasts told The Straits Times that the NParks study will help fill some gaps when it comes to the little-studied marine fish off East Coast Park. This comes as preparatory works for the Long Island reclamation project are slated to start in end-2026.

“This could potentially help with future planning for the development and management of other fish aggregating devices like Bedok Jetty during the later stages of the Long Island project,” said fish biologist Jeffrey Kwik.

Karenne Tun, group director for the National Biodiversity Centre at NParks, told ST that the study covering fish communities living along reclaimed shorelines, including East Coast Park, will help ensure future nearshore habitats better support ecological functions and coastal uses valued by the community.

NParks is in talks with marine fish researchers from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) for the proposed study, which was conceptualised in 2025. Expected to span about three years, the research will examine the community structure of fishes, the distribution of adult and larval fishes, as well as the composition and impact of non-native species. NParks did not reveal the official start date of the study.

Kwik, an associate professor at SIT involved in the study, said such information has historically aided the protection and management of coastal marine habitats, such as mangroves and seagrass beds, in places like Australia and the UK.

“Information from changes in the size distribution of fishes over time has led to the enforcement of size and bag limits to enable sustainable recreational and commercial fishing and natural stock management in many countries,” he said.

Some local anglers are concerned that the Long Island environmental study, which was made public in June, might overlook the diversity of marine life at Bedok Jetty. Preparatory works, which involve sand infilling, are expected to start nearby.

Addressing these concerns, the Housing Board, which oversees the reclamation, said the environmental study for Long Island’s preparatory works had recognised that environmental pressures could affect fish communities in sensitive habitats like coral reefs.

“Given the general mobility of fish communities and the continued availability of habitats outside of the active work areas, the impact on fish is assessed to be temporary and localised, compliant with the environmental quality objectives set for the works,” said HDB.

The agency added that the report had assessed the impact on recreational fishing at Bedok Jetty, pointing out that the jetty is primarily recreational infrastructure rather than a natural ecological habitat.

While recreational fishing can continue there during the works, the HDB noted that catch rates might drop.

A spokesman for newly formed fish enthusiast group Ichthyological Society of Singapore argued that the environmental study should reflect significant and rare species of fish that anglers had caught at the jetty and documented for the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

Kwik said that given the lack of information on fish communities there, it may have been difficult to predict the potential impacts across different species recorded either from research or citizen science. Factoring in national interests and time constraints, conducting an extended baseline study prior to the preparatory phase might not have been feasible, he noted.

The museum’s senior collection manager of fishes Tan Heok Hui said there will not be enough time for the NParks study to document comprehensively the existing biodiversity at Bedok Jetty.

He pointed out that because the entire East Coast is already on reclaimed land, it is technically considered of lower ecological importance compared with pristine marine habitats.

Tan, who has researched fish populations for other coastline developments here, said no proper baseline surveys currently exist for the East Coast area.

A study that accurately reflects marine biodiversity in an area needs to span at least 1½ years and utilise a diversity of survey methods before the environment is altered, Tan explained. He called for the NParks’ study to employ a range of methods, noting that existing impact assessments often overlook less mobile, bottom-dwelling or burrowing organisms.

Fishing for science: Gen Z anglers form society to document fish in Singapore waters
Ang Qing Straits Times Jul 25, 2026, 03:00 PM

SINGAPORE – When the authorities announced that preparatory works for reclamation off East Coast Park will begin at the end of 2026, four anglers in their 20s formed a fish interest group to document the species at fishing hot spot Bedok Jetty before works start.

Student Lin Jiayuan, 24, and three of his friends founded the Ichthyological Society of Singapore on July 6. (Ichthyology is the scientific study of fish.) The interest group, which has grown to more than 80 members, aims to document the biodiversity that remains along the Republic’s rapidly developing coastlines.

They do so by noting down all the species they catch. While most fish are then released, a select few are preserved to provide scientific data on their behaviour and habitats, which aids in long-term conservation.

After reading the environmental study for the Long Island reclamation works – which will result in some 800ha of land created along Singapore’s East Coast – the co-founders discovered that the diversity of fish they had encountered at Bedok Jetty over the years did not appear in the study. On public database iNaturalist, the vicinity of the jetty has yielded 200 species.

The four co-founders say they have collectively caught and recorded some 500 of Singapore’s estimated 700-plus marine and freshwater fish species in the waters around the mainland and its offshore islands.

“We acknowledge that reclamation may be necessary, but if we’re going to change our coastline, we want the habitats and species that are actually there to be properly recognised,” said Lin, a bioengineering student at Nanyang Technological University.

While he is not a fish scientist, Lin has authored more than 25 biodiversity records published by the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. He has also contributed to local fish-related organisations like Pasarfish and the now-defunct Marine Stewards Singapore.

Sentosa Tg Rimau: EIA on slope stabilisation works

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 07:27:32 +0000

Work will begin in 2027 across a 400m stretch of Sentosa Tanjong Rimau. This include "a few hundred XblocPlus blocks, each weighing about a tonne, to be placed at three sites". The EIA found that more than 12 per cent of seagrass meadows may be lost. Soft, sandy and seagrass habitats are likely to transform into artificial hard, rocky habitats at the locations of the XblocPlus.

Muhammad Nasry Abdul Nasir, executive director of Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity said: “If you’re protecting an existing seawall or a reclaimed shoreline with little ecological value, (adding XblocPlus) for habitat complexity is a no brainer. But Rimau is not a blank canvas; there’s a lot of life there. Are there alternatives we can consider that are less drastic in terms of reshaping the shore, that can still provide the coastal resilience we are looking for?”

“While stabilising the slopes is necessary to prevent progressive collapse (of the cliff), the approach should minimise impacts to Tanjong Rimau’s biodiversity,” said Lester Tan, chairman of Nature Society Singapore’s Marine Conservation Group. “I’m always in favour of not changing one habitat to another. There could be a loss of connectivity,”

Read the full EIA on the Sentosa website.

Send your feedback here https://form.gov.sg/6a20d00d14f841cbd5b20469

Related blog post: Sentosa Tg. Rimau: Interlocking 1-tonne blocks to be deployed

Sentosa’s Tanjong Rimau to be shored up with nails, concrete blocks to prevent erosion, slope damage
Shabana Begum Straits Times Jul 19, 2026, 10:00 AM

SINGAPORE – To prevent one of Singapore’s last coastal cliffs and rocky shores from crumbling, rock masses at Sentosa’s western tip need to be nailed in place and brittle outcrops shielded from rough waves.

In 2027, a suite of measures will be undertaken to strengthen parts of Tanjong Rimau, a biodiversity haven that has been experiencing slope damage, rock falls and erosion over the years.

They include drilling metal rods or nails into the rock and soil, laying erosion-control blankets and lining X-shaped concrete blocks – called XblocPlus – at the foot of some slopes to protect the shoreline from coastal erosion.

These works across four weak slope areas within a 400m stretch of Tanjong Rimau are expected to take nine months to complete. The measures were revealed in an environmental assessment released in June on Sentosa’s website.

A few hundred of the interlocking XblocPlus blocks, each weighing about a tonne, will be placed at three sites in Tanjong Rimau, in partnership with national water agency PUB and the solution’s creator Delta Marine Consultants, among others.

This solution is also one of five novel coastal protection measures that will be tested islandwide over three years to help determine whether they can be used for future coastal protection works.

As one of Singapore’s remaining natural rocky shore and coastal cliff habitats, its richness in biodiversity and the unique geology of its intertidal zone make it a popular site for nature lovers.

“Tanjong Rimau is the best and one of the last of the accessible places in Singapore to see the type of coastal forest that clings to rocky outcrops,” said Shawn Lum, a senior lecturer at NTU’s Asian School of the Environment.

Muhammad Nasry Abdul Nasir, executive director of Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, noted that the coastal flora are adapted to regular disturbances caused by slope damage.

“The small landslides dump rocks on the shore, which create numerous tiny pockets for marine creatures to inhabit – that's how a rocky shore habitat forms,” he explained.

But all it takes is erratic weather to trigger a huge landslide and wipe out highly endangered species that are no longer widespread in Singapore, he said.

The study recorded 94 flora species, including four seagrass types. Of the 94, more than a quarter are threatened or important for conservation. These include the nationally critically endangered nyireh laut tree and the vulnerable Raffles’ pitcher plant, of which Tanjong Rimau is one of the last major strongholds.

Lum said: “In addition to safeguarding the physical site and its flora and fauna, earthworks at Tanjong Rimau might allow people to visit and study the area in a safe and sustainable way.”

But the measures, like any human activity, will cause impacts.

The environmental study, done by biodiversity consultancy firm Camphora, found that more than 12 per cent of seagrass meadows along Tanjong Rimau may be lost as temporary bunds will be constructed within the intertidal zone to enable works. Materials and machines such as excavators will be transferred along the bund.

Some loss is unavoidable, but the habitat can recover after works are completed, stated the report.

Another risk is how soft, sandy and seagrass habitats – which support creatures such as sea sponges, the galloping sand star, mudskippers and coastal horseshoe crabs – are likely to transform into artificial hard, rocky habitats at the locations of the XblocPlus armours.

With the possibility of losing some soft habitats, nature experts have concerns about the suitability of XblocPlus at a rare, fragile spot like Tanjong Rimau.

“While stabilising the slopes is necessary to prevent progressive collapse (of the cliff), the approach should minimise impacts to Tanjong Rimau’s biodiversity,” said Lester Tan, chairman of Nature Society Singapore’s Marine Conservation Group.

“I’m always in favour of not changing one habitat to another. There could be a loss of connectivity,” added Tan.

Nasry added that while the XblocPlus armours may not directly bury seagrass, they could alter the energy of waves and how sediments move, which could gradually bury or destabilise nearby seagrass meadows.

For example, patches of critically endangered tape seagrass are abundant on the southern shores of Tanjong Rimau, near two planned armour systems.

To compensate for any loss, the 200-page report by Camphora suggested that man-made micro-habitats be created alongside the revetments. These could include rock pools, grooves and crevices to mimic natural rocky shores for algae, corals and crustaceans.

Rock surfaces can be roughened, with spaces between the concrete blocks widened to create shaded, moist refuge for intertidal creatures.

“These interventions are expected to partially restore habitat functionality lost during construction, increase species richness and functional diversity relative to unmodified armour rock... while maintaining its primary coastal protection function,” said the report.

Tan acknowledged that XblocPlus enables the creation of new rocky habitats and is a better option than building a uniform sloping wall that is not conducive for wildlife.

But while new rocky habitats can be created, soft habitats could still be lost.

Nasry said: “If you’re protecting an existing seawall or a reclaimed shoreline with little ecological value, (adding XblocPlus) for habitat complexity is a no brainer.

“But Rimau is not a blank canvas; there’s a lot of life there. Are there alternatives we can consider that are less drastic in terms of reshaping the shore, that can still provide the coastal resilience we are looking for?”

In response to queries, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said the current environment at the toe of the slope comprises rocks and sandy substrate.

“The impact is therefore best characterised as a change from soft to hard substrate within the works footprint, and hence has minimal impact on existing biodiversity,” it added.

During construction, work areas will be sensitively managed and any disturbance to the biodiversity be kept minimal as technically possible.

“The XblocPlus system will incorporate eco-engineered features such as crevices and tidal pools, if feasible, to replicate the complexity of Tanjong Rimau’s natural rocky shores and support a diversity of intertidal fauna and algal communities,” added the statutory board.

An environmental monitoring and management plan will also be implemented throughout the project to ensure regulatory compliance and minimise impacts.

Steps recommended include salvaging seagrass for researchers before they get affected, and saving threatened coastal plant species before works begin.

The temporary bund alignment should also be adjusted to avoid three nyireh laut trees, with appropriate tree protection zones in place, stated the report.

Tan suggested that the Singapore Oceanarium’s intertidal surveys should continue, alongside monitoring by marine experts, after construction.

Lum said: “The work needs to be done sensitively, and the teams on the ground may have to be flexible and resourceful enough to adjust their workflow as any work, not least of all in a dynamic environment like the coastal zone, requires.”

Terumbu Semakau next to massive worksite

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:55:15 +0000

A large team surveys this large submerged reef next to Singapore's only landfill and near the petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom. There is currently a large worksite near it for repairs to the pipeline carrying crude oil to Pulau Bukom.

We still find rich reefs at the edge facing the Landfill, but elsewhere, less corals. The water seems a bit more murky that usual and sand seems to have built up on some parts of the shore. But two Giant clams are found, and the rest of the team make special finds which I will update later.

As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds. Giant clam right next to the Landfill seawall. Seahorse! Coral snapping shrimp! Also the usual colourful nudibranchs and flatworms seen on our reefs. Plus several minefields of scary looking Diadema sea urchins.

They saw many Bubble tip anemones, two Merten's carpet anemones (one with anemone shrimps). Also special corals like Bubble coral (Physogyra), Cabbage coral, Anchor corals, Acropora corals and mushroom corals.

The most eye-poking animals on the shore remain the Magnificent anemones. These anemones form clumps of many individuals, apparently through division. So those with similar body colours are probably closely related. As usual, there were those with bright red, purple and white body colours. I saw some Giant carpet anemones including one right next to Magnificent anemones. Also a Fire anemone. The rest of the team saw Merten's carpet anemone.

At the mid-water mark, I saw several patches of what seems to be the beginning of fields of Branching montipora. The reef edge facing the seawall of the Landfill is still rich with healthy corals. Mostly commonly encountered corals, but I also saw a small Acropora colony. The reef edge Pulau Semakau East seems to have fewer healthy and large corals than before.

While most of the common Boulder pore corals were alright, some were pale and one had dying tissue (bluish). Some corals had stress colours: pus-yellow, or pinkish. The rest of the team spotted some bleaching corals.

There were still many medium to large colonies of leathery soft corals of various kinds. There were also still a lot of Asparagus flowery soft corals. I didn't see any that were bleaching, although one small leathery soft coral had a layer of 'skin' which happens when the animal is trying to get rid of something on its body.

Upon arrival, noticed in the distance, a large fish trap. Lon took a closer look and confirmed it's already broken. Nowadays, we don't encounter active traps as often as we used to in the past.

There is currently a huge worksite near Terumbu Semakau. From Port Marine Notice No. 83 of 2026 dated 24 Jun 2026: Seabed Repair Works for Aster SBM Pipeline. From 24 Jun 2026 to 21 Dec 2026. Works will be carried out by pipelaying barge “Sandpiper 1”. Anchor handling tugs, multi-cat, project material barges and pipe supply vessel will operate within the work rea, which include lifting activities for material transfer to pipelay barge.

The Aster Chemicals & Energy Single Buoy Mooring (SBM) pipeline enables Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) to offload crude oil directly to the Bukom refinery. The site is currently undergoing a US$125 million pipeline rejuvenation. Here's the huge working vessels we saw in the work site today, with Pulau Jong for scale.

Here's a photo of a VLCC moored at a yellow SBM.

Photo from gcaptain

More about Terumbu Semakau

Terumbu Semakau lies next to the Semakau Landfill and close to the petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom.

Just as Changi Airport and Changi Beach are not the same even though they are near one another and share a name, Pulau Semakau is NOT the same as the Semakau Landfill. The Landfill was created by destroying all of Pulau Saking, and about half of the original Pulau Semakau by building a very long seawall.

The team take a closer look at a Giant clam next to the Landfill seawall.

Fortunately, the landfill was constructed and is managed in such a way that the original mangroves, seagrass meadows and reefs on Pulau Semakau were allowed to remain. It is NOT true that the construction of the Landfill created the marine life found on Pulau Semakau. The marine life was there long before the Landfill was built.

What is the fate of Terumbu Semakau?

Pulau Semakau (East), Terumbu Semakau and even Pulau Jong and Pulau Sebarok are slated for massive reclamation outlined recently in the Long-Term Plan Review.

The Blue Plan highlights that Pulau Semakau and its associated patch reefs comprise many ecosystems: coral reefs, mangrove areas, intertidal sandflats, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. The subtidal area of Pulau Jong is larger than the terrestrial area. Pulau Hantu is a popular dive site has seen increasing interest in the past decade due to biodiversity awareness. If protection is accorded to these three islands, zonation plans for use can be implemented to manage tourism and human impacts.

DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

Photos by others on the survey

Loh Kok Sheng

Lon Voon Ong

Tammy Lim

Chui Qing

Others on the survey: Jayden Kang, Yan Le Su, Lester Tan, Ang Qing, Anya, Giant Clam Team

Terumbu Hantu in the face of Sudong reclamation

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:44:58 +0000

Despite being next to petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom and surrounded by heavy vessel parking, this little gem with rich reefs is one of our favourite sites.

Today we survey within sight of the ongoing massive reclamation on Pulau Sudong. We are relieved to see the corals are still doing well. The rest of the team make all the special finds, I will update later.

As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds. Cushion star, 'Nemo' and stingrays among the corals. Violet brittle star, the usual nudis and flatworms. We didn't see any live giant clams but Lon saw the shells of large dead clam, which Che Cheng saw on an earlier survey.

The rest of the team saw special corals and took great shots of the despite the rain. Astounded by the very long mushroom coral!

The reef edge opposite Pulau Hantu has denser cover of corals. A large cluster of Galaxy corals, large plate corals and Barrel sponges, some colonies of less commonly seen corals like Anchor corals. Also many kinds of mushroom corals. All seemed healthy and well formed. I didn't see any that were bleaching. Here is a video clip of the reef edge, within sight of the ongoing Sudong reclamation.

There was still the usual scattering of medium-sized leathery soft coral various kinds, including a few larger clusters. I didn't see any that were bleaching. I also saw some Giant carpet anemones and other cnidarians like corallimorphs. All were fine.

The middle part of this small submerged reef is dotted with small colonies of commonly seen corals. Mostly boulder shaped, but also some commonly seen plate corals. Some of the Boulder pore corals were a little pale. A few boulder shaped corals were producing copious slime (like snot), which tends to happen when they are exposed to rain at low tide. I didn't see any that were bleaching.

One reason we visit this submerged reef is to check up on the damage when boats strike it. Like this large deep hole gouged out by the MV Nautica, a large live-aboard dive boat when it ran aground on Terumbu Hantu on 9 Nov 2014. The hole is still there 10 years later. Photo of the MV Nautica when it ran aground on Terumbu Hantu on 9 Nov 2014 by Lee Bee Yan.

Large colonies of Acropora coral have been seen growing in this boat strike 'hole' since our survey in Jul 2020. They are still doing well in Aug 2023 but were mostly in Jun 2025. Today, I couldn't find any inside the hole, but there was a nice patch on the reef edge near the hole! There was also a large patch of healthy Galaxy coral on the reef edge near the hole. So it seems the reef is slowly healing from the trauma of the boat strike.

Today, the scattered clumps of Tape seagrass I saw were still mostly cropped very short, with few with longish leaves (about 15cm). Leaves were fresh and green though.

The ongoing Sudong reclamation is very visible from Terumbu Hantu.

Here is the location of Pulau Hantu and other nearby shores in relation to the Sudong reclamation.

We had a closer look on the way home and the worksite is still busy with many large vessels in the water and vehicles on the land. Seems similar to our last look at it while we surveyed Terumbu Pempang Laut earlier in Jul 2026.

With Terumbu Bemban in front of the worksite.

Thanks to Zen, who contributed to our survey despite being away. He shared this view from the plane, of the Sudong reclamation this week. This is not showing up on Google Earth. The latest image displayed for the area is for Oct 2023, so we might never get a satellite shot of the reclamation.

Storm clouds chased us as we headed out, and caught us once we were on the shore. After a brief period of hard rain, the sun came back out and we were rewarded with a lovely rainbow.

The rain took up about a quarter of the survey, so we couldn't help but take photos of the weather and rain falling like bullets. As well as the lovely rainbow that appeared after the weather cleared.

What is the fate of Terumbu Hantu?

Pulau Hantu and all the terumbus west of it are slated for massive reclamation outlined recently in the Long-Term Plan Review. Singapore's submerged reefs are often out of sight under the high tide and thus forgotten. Let's hope Terumbu Hantu stays safe until we can visit again.

The Blue Plan highlights that Pulau Semakau and its associated patch reefs comprise many ecosystems: coral reefs, mangrove areas, intertidal sandflats, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. The subtidal area of Pulau Jong is larger than the terrestrial area. Pulau Hantu is a popular dive site has seen increasing interest in the past decade due to biodiversity awareness. If protection is accorded to these three islands, zonation plans for use can be implemented to manage tourism and human impacts.

DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

Tammy Lim

Che Cheng Neo

Richard Kuah

Rui Quan Oh

Lon Voon Ong

Others on this survey: Yan Le Su, Ian and the Giant Clam team.

Kusu Island still reefy, with Giant clams!

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:07:52 +0000

This rich reefs of Kusu Island lies just opposite the Central Business District, less than half an hour away by fast boat. A small team surveys the rich reefs that are now part of Singapore's second national Marine Park at Lazarus South-Kusu Reef.

The corals are slowly recovering from the 2024 mass coral bleaching and we feel haven't quite returned to their former glory. This is quite worrying as we are expecting another round of mass coral bleaching next year. We also saw 3 giant clams and other fascinating finds. I will compile the rest of the team's finds later.

The reef edge outside the Northern lagoon is densely covered in hard corals. Today, the very low tide exposed a large extent. The situation seems similar what I saw in May 2025. Many corals seem alright, including large colonies. Towards the western side nearer Eagle Bay, there remains some less commonly seen corals like branching Acropora and delicate plateforming Montipora that look like tiered wedding cakes and large Horn coral colonies. There are still large colonies of Leathery soft corals at the reef edge, but fewer and smaller colonies at the seawall. I didn't see any bleaching corals. Here's a slide show of the northern reef edge.

Corals have settled inside the Northern lagoon. Challenging to survey in total darkness. But the situation seems similar to what I saw in May 2025 and Aug 2024. There remains far fewer live corals, and the area near the seawall opening was much sandier and bare. The large patch of Branching montipora corals remains mostly dead, with only those on the outer edge of the patch alive and not bleaching. Other large coral colonies were also mostly dead on the upper portion. But there were many small colonies of common coral growing, often on the dead coral patches. I didn't see any bleaching colonies, but there were a few with freshly dying tissues (bluish grey).

I had a look at the southern reef edge, facing Lazarus Island and east of the temple. The situation seems similar to what I saw in May 2025. A rich reef edge large colonies of Trumpet coral and small fields of Branching montipora coral! As well as a few mushroom corals. I also noticed many small to large colonies of Cauliflower coral - a few with small white patches. Most corals seemed healthy, I didn't see whole colonies that were bleaching. Here's a slide show of the southern reef edge.

Unfortunately, I noticed some large deep holes at the reef edge with piles of dead corals pushed up - possibly due to a boat striking the reef? Could this be something to do the ongoing works on the Kusu Island jetty? I didn't see the large Anemone coral colonies that I saw last year. Perhaps these were destroyed in the boat strike?

Today, we spot three Fluted giant clams (about 25cm long). One was at the northern reef edge, the other on the southern reef (photo by Richard), and yet another past the temple.

Magnificent anemones remain abundant in the northern lagoon and northern reef edge. Today I saw clusters of anemones with white, purple and red body columns. These large anemones multiply by cloning themselves, clones having similar coloured body columns. One of them had several large clown anemonefish aka 'Nemo'.

Updating with sightings by the rest of the team. Richard checked out the reef near the jetty and saw a nice table-like colony of Acropora. Mushroom corals were also seen. Richard also noticed lots of Upsidedown jellyfish in the big lagoon which I totally missed. Rui Quan took great photos of the little critters that live only in corals: shrimp, crab and goby! And a very pretty Wiggly star anemone.

Rui Quan saw a young Knobbly! Hope this means there will be more of them settling here soon. He also spotted many fishes only seen in good reefs. Richard spotted the Twin barred brittle star. There were also octopus and nudibranch.

Both lagoons had sprinkles of Spoon seagrass (tiny leaves) and Needle seagrass (narrow leaves). There were some sand dollars and moon snail, as well as Acorn worm signs.

What is the future of Kusu Island?

The rich reefs of Kusu Island of today are slivers of massive reef flats that were reclaimed less than one human lifetime, 50 years ago. Today, all these vast reef flats have been reclaimed, leaving very narrow margins outside the seawall that can only be accessed by non-divers at the very lowest tides. Check out the Historical maps of Singapore by NUS Libraries site where you can actually overlay the various maps over time and use a slider to see the changes.

Kusu Island was in fact originally a tiny outcrop where the temple now is. And during the annual Kusu Island pilgrimage, devotees would land by sampan. As captured by this iconic photo by Ivan Polunin, from "Once upon an island: A rare peek into our past" Scenes of old Singapore through the lens of the late naturalist Ivan Polunin. Wallace Woon, Straits Times 20 Sep 2023.

In May 2024, it was announced that the reefs outside the northern lagoon of Kusu Island would be part of Singapore's second national Marine Park at Lazarus South-Kusu Reef. It is good to cherish and protect what we have left. More on Singapore's second marine park: past, present and future.

Kusu Island is among the islands likely to be impacted by the upcoming Keppel-Tanjung Pagar reclamation started to start end of 2027. More about the potential impacts and responses to the EIA. Submit your feedback to HDB here https://form.gov.sg/6966fc4e7c5fe159af98b799

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018 recommended the cluster of Kusu, Lazarus and St. John's Islands for elevated protection status.

The Blue Plan highlights that Lazarus, St. John’s, and Kusu Islands are established sites for coral nurseries as their shoreline offers ideal sheltered areas for growth of corals. Designating these islands as No-fishing Areas can bolster their rehabilitation. Protecting a larger cluster of islands means zonation plans for use can be implemented to manage tourism and human impacts.

DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

Photos by others on this survey

Richard Kuah

Rui Quan Oh

Dylan Seng

Others on the survey: Ian Mun

Pulau Sekudu with dugong feeding trails

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 06:46:26 +0000

A small team surveys this untouched island that lies opposite Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin. We survey in the dark and end as the tide turns at sunrise. Pulau Sekudu is off limits since 2007 and requires special permission from NParks.

I saw dugong feeding trails again! The team make all the special finds including seahorse, stonefish. I will update with their sightings later.

Updating with finds by the rest of the team! I estimate we saw 25 Knobbly sea stars distributed throughout the island, similar to our May 2025 survey. We saw mostly large grandmother stars, with only one young one seen by Jonathan (greenish on in the top left corner). Sightings of young ones would suggest regeneration of this population - hope to see more of them soon.

Since we noticed mass injuries on Knobbly sea stars at Cyrene in Feb 2026, we are on the look out for similar injuries in other Knobbly sea star populations. While most of those on Pulau Sekudu seems okay, I saw some sea stars with a few knobs that were sliced off or seem to be falling off. Could it be the sea stars self amputated their knobs, the same way that they can do with their arms? Zen also shared a photo of a yellow Knobbly sea star he saw in Bali with similar injuries. So it seems this is something Knobblies do?

Sadly, other kinds of stars were no longer so abundant. Biscuit sea stars have been missing from Pulau Sekudu since Jul 2020 and today, Jonathan saw a small one and I saw a tiny one. We didn't see many other kinds of sea stars, aside from a few Common sea stars, a Painted sand star. The most abundant echinoderm on the shore were Synaptid sea cucumbers! There were also some well camouflated White sea urchins. Also seen, one feather star, one heart urchin, and one small Diadema sea urchin, in addition to the big one near the rock; Marcus saw three big ones too.

Other special finds include the large Ramose murex, jewel-like Onyx cowrie. Also many nudibranchs and slugs - the Northern shores usually have a wider variety than the South. There were also many Lightning flatworms and Persian carpet flatworms! Not sure why. Many octopuses were out an about, as well as squid and fishes of all kinds. A snaky anemone was seen, as well as a large Flowery disk coral!

Recently, I sensed that we have been seeing much fewer Noble volutes that in the past. So we are now going to document every live Noble volute that we see. What a relief to see many today at Pulau Sekudu. As a team, we saw about 30, from small ones with 'clean' shells to larger ones with shell patterns obscured by age. Jason spotted a smaller on top of a larger one - possibly a mating pair? Many were seen laying egg capsules, there were also many egg capsules without snails nearby. Several also spotted burrowing - possibly eating some buried prey? This large beautiful snail is restricted to our part of the world, in particular, Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. We have a duty to protect them. Hopefully, our sightings will help encourage further study into whether the populations on our shores are okay.

Similar to our last survey in May 2025, colourful sponges, sea fans and some soft corals still dot the coral rubble. I still sense the sponges are not as abundant and their diversity is lower. But there were some good clumps of well formed sponges. The 'nudi rocks' were colourful with sponges too.

The team is diligently counting Knobbly sea stars - I saw 9. Will compile all their sightings soon. Sadly, Biscuit sea stars have been missing from Pulau Sekudu since Jul 2020 and today, I only saw one tiny one. But there were many Synaptid sea cucumbers, a large Garlic bread sea cucumber too. I saw a few White sea urchins, one Diadema sea urchin. When we arrived, we saw a large empty shell of what seems to be a Triton snail - we suspect it used in some shore-side religious or cultural ritual, and got lost. Jonathan also showed me a Ramose murex which we also saw on our last survey.

I saw many soft corals and other cnidarians, they seemed alright. The most abundant remains Haddon's carpet anemones. I saw one Swimming anemone. There were also a variety of small sea fans, many with large dead portions. I saw some small colonies of Flowery soft corals, and also some sea pens.

Similar to our last survey in May 2025, I saw about 15 small to medium sized Boulder pore corals, on the arm of the lagoon. None of them were bleaching but some had large dying (bluish grey) tissue and dead parts at the top. Most small colonies were perfectly well formed. I saw patches of Zebra coral on rubble and even a glass bottle. Also a Disk coral. But I didn't come across the Pock-marked coral colony and Boulder sandpaper coral colony that I had in the past.

Was glad to see many clear dugong feeding trails again today, though a bit challenging to photograph in the dark. These trails are formed when dugongs chomp up seagrasses including their roots, leaving a shallow meandering furrow of about equal width and depth. Although we have seen feeding trails on Chek Jawa , I only saw them for first time on Pulau Sekudu on our last survey in May 2025.

As on our last survey in May 2025, seagrasses remain lush, green and clean (no epiphytes)! Lots of Spoon seagrass (both small and large leaf blades) and Needle seagrass (narrow and broad leaf blades). There were sprinkles of Fern seagrass at the eastern most edge of the island. The Serrated ribbon seagrass are still growing in sparse patches from the mid-water mark to the low tide line. On the arm of the lagoon, I saw several clumps of Tape seagrass with leaves cropped to about 30cm. None were flowering.

Fortunately, today we didn't come across any fish traps or nets.

What is the fate of Pulau Sekudu?

Chek Jawa and Pulau Sekudu is slated for reclamation in the Long-Term Plan Review. The plan includes a road link (black line) from the mainland jumping off at Punggol, crossing to Pulau Ubin through Chek Jawa to jump off to Pulau Tekong before circling back to the mainland on Changi East. Proposed reclamation (in yellow) will bury Pasir Ris shores, Pulau Sekudu and Chek Jawa as well as a large stretches of Changi Beach.

Dugong feeding trails in the dark.

The proposed area would include Tanjung Chek Jawa, the largest known intertidal area in northern Singapore. Considered one of the richest in Singapore, Chek Jawa comprises many adjacent ecosystems: coastal hill forest, mangrove areas, rocky shores, seagrass meadows, coral communities, and sandy areas. Chek Jawa remains an icon of celebration and hope for many Singaporeans since its reprieve from reclamation in 2001.

DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

Others on this survey

Jason Ooi

Richard Kuah

Chay Hoon

Jonathan Tan

Marcus Ng

Rui Quan Oh

Others on this survey: Ian Mun, Anya

East Coast NSRCC seagrassy too!

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 02:44:57 +0000

A quick solo trip to check up on the shore opposite NSRCC at East Coast Park.

We usually survey this shore as the tide turns, after we spend most of the low tide at the corals garden near the PCN. Today, for the first time in a long time, I spent the entire low tide window checking on the seagrasses here.

The sand in this area moves around a fair bit. Today, the long narrow bar on the west seems to have joined up with another bar forming near the mouth of the canal, to form an arm around a shallow sandy lagoon along the shoreline opposite NSRCC - some patches of seagrass continue to be found here. There are also patches of seagrass along most of the seaward edges of the sandbars.

The most abundant was Needle seagrass (both narrow and broad leaves) and Spoon seagrass (large leaves). I saw a few broken off Tape seagrass (including the leaf sheath) and even a broken off female flower, but did not see any embedded Tape seagrass, not even inside the canal. In fact, I didn't see seagrasses inside the canal.

It was a nice surprise to see many patches of Serrated ribbon seagrass and Noodle seagrass, all growing on the seaward side of the sand bar. All the seagrasses were fresh and green and not covered in epiphytes.

Similar to our last quick survey in Jun 2025, today there were a lot of small Cake sand dollars and Weasel olive snails. I also saw many Moon snails - mostly Ball but a few Oval. Both were hunting Button snails which was plentiful in the middle of the lagoon. The Button snails leave panicky trails away from the burrowing predator as they try to leap away. Disappointed not to see any Fig snails or Bonnet snails (which eat sand dollars). Saw a few Smooth sea cucumbers, some Acorn worm poop. A few small fishes and crabs. One huddle of Lined eel-tail catfishes.

I saw many mangrove seedlings washing up. Indeed, if we leave a shore alone, a mangrove forest can eventually set down roots!

A line of litter has washed up on the high shore with the most recent high tide. This will be remove by cleaners who start working at sunrise, every day. On the low shore were smaller litter including many single-use water cups, which commonly wash up on beaches along the ferry routes. These are not commonly used by beach goers or the local boating or fishing community. But these single-use water cups are apparently given out to passengers on ferries. It seems no facilities are provided at any of the piers/terminals under MPA's charge for vessels to responsibly dispose of trash generated during their operation. More in this post. There were also large litter that smothered seagrass. And the traffic cone that I have seen for years seem to still be there.

What is the fate of this shore?

East Coast shores slated for massive reclamation outlined recently in the Long-Term Plan Review. There were additional details, plans for a 'Long Island' opposite East Coast Park is now official. In addition to more reclamation along that shoreline, already unveiled in 2013.

This shore will also be affected by plans for Long Island.

Preparatory works are starting very soon. They involve removal of seabed obstructions, construction of temporary sand bunds and sand infilling. Phase 1 will begin end-2026, while Phase 2 will take place after the end of the SEA Games 2029. See some responses to the works. Share your feedback here https://form.gov.sg/675fc8ff28a3ca9ebd83c21b

Natural regeneration on Singapore's artificial shores and structures is already happening now. Unintentionally, with zero replanting. Can we plan coastal works to allow reefs, mangroves and seagrasses to naturally regenerate? Naturalise canals leading to the sea for a continuum of freshwater wetlands to mangroves? Imagine what's possible! Reefs and natural marine ecosystems at our doorstep, for all in the City to enjoy. More about this idea in my feedback to the Draft Master Plan 2013.

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018

Check out the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 which outlines community recommendations for all these shores. DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

See East Coast shores for yourself. It's fun and easy to explore these shores. More details in "East Coast Park - Surprising intertidal adventures for the family".

Other shore surveys in Jun 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 05:21:33 +0000

Rui Quan Oh covered the most ground in the month, checking up on Admiralty, Sungei Buloh, Pasir Ris, Marina East and together with Zen Xuan He, Pulau Ubin. They see all the amazing wildlife that regular shore survey team miss. From owls to mousedeer, snakes and skinks, frogs and weird and beautiful insects. And extortionate cats attempting to intimidate snacks out of innocent passersby.

The rest of the team cover Changi and East Coast PCN.

Marcus, Richard and Tammy made separate trips to Changi. The shore seems to still be very much alive! On Ball flowery soft corals, they saw the Ghost brittle star and White snapping shrimps that live only in the soft coral. They also saw the Big-head seagrass octopus, some sheltering with their eggs. The stronghold of the Tiger anemone, good to know it's still on the shore. There were also sea fans and lots of nudibranchs, sea hares and slugs of all kinds.

Good to know that they saw a variety of sea stars at Changi! Many young ones too, which suggests the shores are a good nursery for baby sea stars. Seems they didn't see any Knobblies, maybe next time?

Recently, I sensed that we have been seeing much fewer Noble volutes that in the past. So we are now going to document every live Noble volute that we see. Marcus, Richard and Tammy saw some on Changi, from small ones to large ones. This large beautiful snail is restricted to our part of the world, in particular, Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. We have a duty to protect them. Hopefully, our sightings will help encourage further study into whether the populations on our shores are okay.

Richard Kuah is the only team member who regularly and faithfully checks up on Punggol shores, which remains alive! This narrow strip of rocky shore still has healthy Spoon seagrass, while the boulders nearby are still coated with colourful sponges and other encrusting animals. Which are eaten by nudibranchs. He even saw a small octopus!

Jayden Kang checked out the seagrass meadows and coral reef that have settled naturally on the artificial shore in front of the East Coast PCN. A wide variety of seagrass are still there, and seem healthy. The corals also seem to have recovered from the impact of the 2024 Pasir Panjang oil spill and mass coral bleaching. The large patch of Branching montipora looks pristine! They saw a seahorse! And some other reef life too.

Photos by the team

Richard Kuah checked up on Punggol on 4 Jun

Rui Quan Oh checked out Marina East on 6 Jun

Rui Quan Oh and Zen Xuan He visited Pulau Ubin on 13-14 Jun 2026

Zen Xuan He

Rui Quan Oh

Richard Kuah checked out Changi on 15 Jun 2026

Marcus Ng checked up on Changi Point on 16 Jun

Tammy Lim visited Changi on 19 Jun 2026

Jayden Kang checked out the corals at East Coast PCN on 19 Jun

Rui Quan Oh checked out Admiralty Park on 23 Jun

Rui Quan Oh checked out Sungei Buloh on 27 Jun

Rui Quan Oh checked out Pasir Ris on 29 Jun

Responses to preparatory work for Long Island

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 22:20:27 +0000

The Preparatory works for Long Island will involve removal of seabed obstructions, construction of temporary sand bunds and sand infilling. Phase 1 will begin end-2026, while Phase 2 will take place after the end of the SEA Games 2029. East Coast shores are alive with sea turtles, fish and corals and seagrasses have settled naturally on the artificial lagoons and sea walls.

Ang Qing reports that scientists, nature groups and anglers have raised concerns about potential blind spots. Some stakeholders shared concerns about the speed of the planning process. They were surprised by the announcement, as authorities had previously stated that technical studies for the multi-decade project would only conclude around 2029.

Ang Qing says "the four-week public feedback window on the study that ends on July 28 will be a major test of process. Time will tell how much of a difference community feedback can actually make when a mega-project’s timeline appears to be set in stone."

Share your feedback here https://form.gov.sg/675fc8ff28a3ca9ebd83c21b

Media articles and press releases on the Preparatory works for Long Island including EIA

Other responses include:

Lester Tan, chair of the Nature Society Singapore’s Marine Conservation Group, pointed out the absence of specific assessments for vulnerable coastal horseshoe crabs that nest along East Coast Park.

“Early involvement of nature groups in scoping the study and developing mitigation measures would have been highly beneficial in surfacing blind spots before a timeline for the works was set,” he said.

Echoing this, Muhammad Nasry Abdul Nasir, executive director of Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, questioned what he felt was the rushed nature of the engagement for the works, given the many unanswered questions from the community.

Why conservationists are concerned about Singapore’s Long Island mega climate project
Qing Ang Straits Times Green Pulse 7 Jul 2026

As sea levels rise, how does a land-scarce island nation protect its shores without compromising nature?

Singapore announced on June 30 that it will begin work on another massive engineering project at the end of 2026 that is designed to help the Republic weather climate change. Tentatively dubbed Long Island, the reclamation will create roughly 800ha of land off East Coast Park to shield the low-lying nation from rising sea levels while creating space for development.

The works will take place in two phases so part of the waters can still be used for recreation.

An environmental study commissioned by the Government deemed that the overall impact of the project would be minor. However, scientists, nature groups and anglers have raised concerns about potential blind spots.

Some stakeholders I spoke with after the two-phase works were revealed shared concerns about the speed of the planning process. They were surprised by the announcement, as authorities had previously stated that technical studies for the multi-decade project would only conclude around 2029.

While the East Coast sits on land reclaimed up until the 1980s, corals, seagrass and mangroves have naturally returned to its shores over the decades. This organic recovery has sparked calls from naturalists to ensure that marine life can continue to thrive alongside the Long Island development.

Today, this stretch has even become a nesting ground for globally critically endangered hawksbill turtles, which are being studied by researchers from the Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

Given the small population of Singapore’s hawksbills, NTU research fellow Lyndsey Tanabe called for the study to assess the shallow coastal waters where female turtles rest, the exact areas where works are expected to begin.

During my visit to fishing hotspot Bedok Jetty on June 30, anglers shared their concerns about a rich diversity of local fish that the current environmental report does not appear to fully consider. While anglers will still be allowed to use nearshore fishing areas and Bedok Jetty, the report anticipated that works could impact fish and reduce catch rates.

Lin Jiayuan is a student who has fished at Bedok Jetty since 2007. He noted that the report omitted key sightings at the jetty, including a globally critically endangered shovelnose ray caught in 2022.

Lin has authored more than 25 biodiversity records published by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. He and his friends showed me 40 different species of fish they had caught in just four hours at Bedok Jetty.

“It’s a shame to let this iconic landmark of marine biodiversity go without documenting whatever it has,” shared fellow fishing hobbyist Tan Yen Yi, 32, a bird scientist at the museum.

With more coastal projects in the pipeline to protect Singapore’s shores from rising sea levels, how the Republic navigates these environmental trade-offs will set an important precedent.

The four-week public feedback window on the study that ends on July 28 will be a major test of process. Time will tell how much of a difference community feedback can actually make when a mega-project’s timeline appears to be set in stone.

Anglers, researchers race to document East Coast fish species ahead of Long Island works
As preparatory works for Singapore's Long Island coastal protection project draw closer, fishing enthusiasts are working to record species that may one day become harder to find.
Natalie Ong and Marcel Pereira Channel NewsAsia 06 Jul 2026 11:24AM

SINGAPORE: Stretching far into the waters off Singapore's East Coast, Bedok Jetty has long been a popular spot for anglers.

For some fishing enthusiasts, each visit is also an opportunity to document the country's marine biodiversity.

With preparatory works for the Long Island project set to begin in waters west of the jetty by the end of 2026, some are racing to record the fish species found there before the coastline changes.

The upcoming works are the first step in Singapore's long-term coastal protection plans against rising sea levels and will be carried out in phases. A second phase is planned for waters east of the jetty after the 2029 SEA Games, which will be held in Singapore.

A RACE AGAINST TIME

Nanyang Technological University Bioengineering undergraduate Lin Jiayuan is among a small group of anglers helping to document fish species.

He visits the jetty at least twice a month, and rather than targeting large food fish, he searches for those that are rarely recorded in Singapore's waters.

When he catches something significant, the 24-year-old shares it with researchers at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) for identification and preservation.

Over the years, Mr Lin has helped document at least 15 fish species new to Singapore's waters, of which seven were recorded at Bedok Jetty, adding to the country's biodiversity records.

With months to go before preparatory works begin, he said there is "definitely a sense of urgency" because many of the species found there inhabit murkier waters, making them difficult for divers and people exploring intertidal areas to spot.

One species Mr Lin hopes to document is the demon stinger, a rare relative of the stonefish that uses its free pectoral fin rays to "walk" along the seabed.

“This is probably the easiest place you can catch them in Singapore. Not saying they are common – they are very rare,” he added.

Even after works begin, Mr Lin intends to continue visiting the area.

"Personally, I will still fish here. I will observe what the changes are," he said.

ADDING TO SINGAPORE'S BIODIVERSITY RECORDS

Singapore has recorded about 700 to 800 fish species across its marine and freshwater habitats, according to Dr Tan Heok Hui, LKCNHM's senior collection manager of fishes.

Dr Tan described documenting Singapore's biodiversity as "a continual process".

"With proper documentation, you only realise what you've lost or what you may lose," he said.

The museum also receives records from anglers such as Mr Lin and other members of the public, which are verified by experts before being added to Singapore's biodiversity records.

Such specimens become part of the museum's collections.

NEW STUDY COULD TRACK CHANGES TO FISH COMMUNITIES

Separately, the National Parks Board (NParks) is discussing a potential study with marine fish researchers from local institutes of higher learning to better understand fish communities along reclaimed shorelines, such as along the East Coast.

Sources say the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and NUS are involved.

Replying to CNA’s queries, NParks said the study was first conceptualised in 2025 to understand how these environments change over time.

It will also help inform the design and management of future nearshore fish habitats that support both biodiversity and community use.

NParks' group director of the National Biodiversity Centre, Dr Karenne Tun, said the findings are expected to further inform the Long Island project and deepen understanding of fish communities along East Coast Park.

Associate Professor Jeffrey Kwik, a fish biologist at SIT, said no comprehensive survey has covered the entire East Coast shoreline in recent years.

"While there have been historically a lot of studies, you know, here and there, a full study of the entire stretch (along East Coast) has actually not been done enough, and definitely not in this current time, more recent times along the whole stretch."

"There'll be a lot of surveys, and these surveys will be done … over time, so that we understand any seasonal patterns in the size of the fishes, the species of fishes, and along the entire shoreline, adjacent to Bedok Jetty," he added.

He said such research would improve understanding of how fish use different coastal habitats and could contribute to environmental management and monitoring plans in the area.

The study is expected to start just before the preparatory works begin.

Govt study says Long Island works will have minor impact on environment
Ang Qing Straits Times Jun 30, 2026, 10:00 PM

SINGAPORE - Preparatory works for the reclamation of Long Island off East Coast Park are predicted to have an overall minor impact on the surrounding environment, though some nature groups and scientists worry about possible “blind spots”.

Released on June 30, the 557-page environmental impact assessment (EIA) was commissioned by the National Parks Board (NParks) on behalf of the Housing Board.

It assesses the impact of the two-phase works to prepare for the reclamation of about 800ha of land – roughly twice the size of Marina Bay – from Tanah Merah to Marina East, centring around the popular Bedok Jetty.

The works that involve removing seabed obstruction and sand infilling are slated to begin from end-2026.

The report, prepared by consultancy DHI Water and Environment based on surveys conducted between June 2025 and February 2026, found works would yield minor negative impacts on the environment.

The majority of coral and seagrass areas outside the project’s footprint, as well as mangroves, intertidal fauna and most marine fauna, are expected to remain largely unaffected, HDB and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said in a statement.

However, the works could impede globally critically endangered hawksbill turtles from reaching nesting sites along East Coast Park, as well as disorient hatchlings, according to the report.

The report deemed this impact minor, noting that sections of the shoreline will remain available for nesting alongside ongoing egg relocation efforts by NParks.

Nanyang Technological University sea turtle biologist Lyndsey Tanabe acknowledged the need for coastal protection, but stressed that Singapore’s hawksbill turtle population is small, making every individual critical to the species’ survival.

“While the environmental study identifies disturbance to nesting beaches as a concern, it is equally important to assess impacts to inter-nesting habitat in the shallow coastal waters where female turtles rest between clutches (of eggs),” she pointed out.

The research fellow welcomed clarifications on additional protective measures, and said she looks forward to working constructively with the project team.

Angler Lin Jiayuan, a 24-year-old student who has fished at Bedok Jetty since 2007, noted the report omitted key records at the jetty, such as a 2022 sighting of the globally critically endangered shovelnose ray.

He has observed more than 150 fish species in the sediment-laden waters of the site over the past eight years.

“It’s a shame to let this iconic landmark of marine biodiversity go without documenting whatever it has,” added fellow fishing hobbyist Tan Yen Yi, 32, who is a bird scientist by training.

The pair and their friends caught 40 species within four hours on June 30. These included the imposter trevally, a species newly recorded in Singapore at Bedok Jetty in 2022.

Lester Tan, chair of the Nature Society Singapore’s Marine Conservation Group, pointed out the absence of specific assessments for vulnerable coastal horseshoe crabs that nest along East Coast Park.

Tan, who also sits on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Horseshoe Crab Species Specialist Group, said he was surprised by the scale of the preparatory works.

“Early involvement of nature groups in scoping the study and developing mitigation measures would have been highly beneficial in surfacing blind spots before a timeline for the works was set,” he said.

Echoing this, Muhammad Nasry Abdul Nasir, executive director of Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, questioned what he felt was the rushed nature of the engagement for the works, given the many unanswered questions from the community.

The environmental study report is open for public feedback at this website for four weeks from June 30.

HDB said mitigation measures will be implemented to minimise indirect impacts to surrounding habitats. These include deploying temporary containment bunds and silt screens to control sediment plumes.

A dedicated Environmental Monitoring and Management Plan will also be put in place to track conditions and manage potential effects on the surrounding marine environment, including seagrass beds.

Associate professor Peter Todd from the National University of Singapore’s Department of Biological Sciences lauded the monitoring efforts for spanning the duration of the preparatory works and beyond.

“Given the scale of the project, some impacts are inevitable, but it seems that substantial efforts are being made to mitigate these,” he said.

Todd, who studies the use of artificial structures to bring back marine life, added that Long Island presents opportunities to create new marine habitats for corals and mangroves.

However, he noted that combining natural elements into hard-engineered structures, also known as “hybrid shorelines”, remains a new and challenging field.

HDB and URA said they will thoroughly evaluate the feedback and incorporate suitable suggestions before finalising mitigation measures.

See East Coast shores for yourself!

It's fun and easy to explore these shores. More details in East Coast Park - Surprising intertidal adventures for the family.

Return to Buran bravely

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:30:00 +0000

Terumbu Buran is surrounded by strong currents. The last time we surveyed was in 2010, and I was so traumatised by landing and departure that I refused to ever go again.

16 years later, Kok Sheng persuaded a few of us to return. I was still too scared to join them - the photo of them landing today still frightens me. But they saw corals hard and soft, a lot of corallimorphs and the usual marine life common on our rocky shores. Here's a compilation of their sightings.

This tiny C-shaped terumbu that lies just at the doorstep of Sentosa Cove. A sliver of rocks stick out above the water, with most of the shore submerged.

All our shores, no matter how barren they might look from afar, have life! The team were visited by a Great billed heron. The Marine spider which breathes air and can only forage at low tide, is suprisingly found on all the shores we survey. The team saw various fishes, the usual snails, crabs and colourful marine life seen on our southern rocky shores. They also saw a large shark cruising by, no photos unfortunately.

There were a lot of corallimorphs of various kinds. As well as Giant carpet anemones, some with 'Nemo' and anemone shrimps! There were also many Frilly anemones and a Wriggly reef anemone was also seen.

There are not a lot of hard corals on the shore. The team saw the usual boulder shaped corals commonly seen. As well as common disk-shaped and branching corals too. They also saw a small cluster of bright orange Cave corals that grow in dark places.

There were also some Leathery soft corals, zoanthids of various kinds and feathery soft corals and hydroids.

It will be a while before we revisit this rather treacherous shore. So we hope it stays safe until then.

Photos by the team

Loh Kok Sheng

Che Cheng Neo

Rui Quan Oh

Richard Kuah

Tommy Tan

Others on this survey: Ian Mun, Yan Le Su, Anya