wild shores of singapore

Changi quickly

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:39:00 +0000

A quick solo survey of Changi at Carpark 1 during a rare daylight super low tide. My first time revisiting since Jul 2023.

Seagrasses are doing very well, but the shore was very quiet. I didn't see any sea stars and many of the anemones that I usually encounter.

The seagrasses are super lush with dense growths of mostly Needle seagrass (narrow leaves). Also many patches of Spoon seagrass (large leaves). There was a large patch of Smooth ribbon seagrass across the abandoned pipe, about 10m long - this seagrass now seems to be well present all along Changi from Carpark 1 to Carpark 7. All were healthy fresh green. I didn't see any Fern seagrass. And also no sign of dugong feeding trails.

There seems to be an explosion of tiny little sea anemones. I saw many tiny carpet anemones most probably Haddon's with a few Tapetum - with distinctive spoke arrangement of tentacles. Also tiny ones of Big hermit-hitching anemones. There were also a few medium sized Haddon's carpet anemones, and some usual sized Big hermit-hitching anemones. But I didn't see any other kinds of anemones.

The absolutely most abundant animal on the shore today were Pink warty sea cucumbers. I only saw a few Thorny sea cucumbers, one Orange sea cucumber. I saw some Cerianthids, a small Ball flowery soft coral and there was a sea fan near the abandoned pipe. As well as a large sponge which unfortunately had entangled fishing lines in it. There were also some clams. I saw a large shell of a dead Baler snail - although it's dead, we should not remove it as such shells provide valuable shelter for live animals. Fish and octopuses may lay their eggs in such 'empty' shells. Alas, I didn't see any sea stars.

What is the fate of these shores?

There doesn't seem to be a change in 2013 plans 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.

In Jul 2025, it was announced that plans to reclaim for Aviation Park will spare the shores at Changi Carpark 7 to Carpark 1.

See Changi shores for yourself!

They are easy to get to, and enjoyed by many people. But it remains rich in a variety of marine life. More details in "Changi - an easy intertidal adventure for the family". Changi Carpark 1 shore is very narrow and only exposed at very low tides.

First time on Sentosa Serapong west!

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:15:00 +0000

One of the best reefs nearer the mainland is found on the undisturbed shore off Serapong Golf Course at Sentosa. We surveyed a new stretch of this shore for the first time, thanks to Leanne and Desmond of SDC. These shores were impacted but clearly survived the 400tonne Pasir Panjang oil spill on 14 Jun 2024 and the 23 tonne diesel leak opposite Sentosa Serapong on 5 Feb 2025.

Right next to the Sentosa bridge, there are lots of corals, large Long spined sea urchins, fishes, nudibranchs and other amazing marine life. As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds. I will update once they share their photos.

It was amazing to see a long stretch of healthy Branching montipora forming a dense 'field' of about 50m at the mid-water mark. This is especially heartening as the Branching montipora on the eastern side of Serapong was mostly dead when we surveyed in Jul 2025.

There were also many well formed plate corals including a few very large colonies approaching 1m in diameter!

How delightful to see a large healthy colony of Branching anchor coral! As well as many small healthy Cauliflower corals. There was a small colony of table forming Elegant acropora coral with at least 4 little green gobies that live only in these corals and can survive out of water for the brief period of low tide. There were also some mushroom corals! And a few colonies of the usual commonly seen corals like Brain corals, Carnation corals, Anemone corals, Brain corals and Merulinid corals.

There were some small Leathery soft corals (too deep for me to take photos). Also a Leathery sea fan, some small clumps of Flowery soft corals and the usual Feathery soft corals.

There were a great many Diadema sea urchins, forming a long line along almost the entire stretch of the reef edge. Also the usual colourful reef sponges including large Barrel sponges in deeper water. The artificial seawalls were alive with the usual colourful crabs and small snails. There were also some small Giant top shell snails on the lower shores. The rest of the team make all the special finds. I'll update more later.

It was a great opportunity to survey this stretch of shore for the first time. Although it is not as rich as the eastern stretch of Serapong which we last surveyed in May 2025. Thank you SDC and Serapong Golf Course for supporting our annual surveys and for looking after these precious shores!

What is the fate of Serapong shores?

While there are so far, no known plans that will directly impact the Serapong shores, they are likely to be impacted by the reclamation at Keppel-Tanjong Pagar expected to start end of 2027.

As well as more long term plans such as the Greater Southern Waterfront coastal protection plan - a “continuous line of defence” at the South. Construction is slated to begin in the 2030s.

Others on this survey: Lester Tan, Samuel Lau, Rui Quan Oh, Dylan Seng

Return to Pulau Semakau (South) mangroves

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:05:00 +0000

A full team surveys here at predawn for the first time! The original mangroves, seagrass meadows, and reefs of Pulau Semakau lie next to the Semakau Landfill. They are very much alive.

We land next to the Landfill wall, on living seagrass meadow at first light of a glorious sunrise! I will update later with finds by the rest of the team. The ongoing Sudong reclamation looms in the distance.

For the first time in more than 15 years, I had company to check up the back of the original mangroves here! The Pink-eyed pong-pong trees (Cerberus manghas) were still there! Blooming profusely, scenting the morning air with their perfume. Small mangrove saplings are still growing well in the back. As well ans some common back mangrove plants, as well as some small signs of mudlobters. But we couldn't find the Seashore bat lily (Tacca leontopetaloides) that I last saw here in 2011. The younger folk made the trek to the inner lagoon but couldn't find the Api-api jambu (Avicennia marina) that I also last saw in 2011.

More about mangroves at Pulau Semakau
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. 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.

A look at the seawall (left) with planted mangroves, and the Landfill wall (right).

As on our last survey in Apr 2025 and Nov 2024, the seagrass coverage remains dense near the Landfill seawall and in the mouth of the stream from the mangroves. Mostly fresh green Needle seagrass uniformly covered the area. In the stream bed and pools lots other seagrasses including Spoon seagrass and Sickle seagrass - most generally free of epiphytes. Nearer the seawall, I saw a few clumps of Tape seagrass with longish leaves (about 30cm), most were still cropped short (10cm or less). Alas, I looked and couldn't find any dugong feeding trails today. In Nov 2024, Kok Sheng saw some in seagrasses near the Landfill wall! The last time this was observed was in 2011.

Every time we survey this shore, we check out the Barramundi Group's fish farm that is located very close to natural mangroves, reefs and seagrass meadows there. On our Nov 2024 survey, the farm seems totally abandoned. The situation seems unchanged today 1.5 years. Similar to what we saw on our Apr 2025 survey, the big barge with equipment and supplies, and floating dorm for workers were gone. And cages were falling apart with derelict small boats nearby. During our survey in Oct 2023, the farm was not yet in this state of decay. In Jul 2023, it was reported that Barramundi Group will stop stocking its sites off Pulau Semakau, Pulau Senang and St John’s Island until “an efficacious vaccine is available” against the scale drop disease virus (SDDV). SDDV was first formally described in Singapore farmed fish in 2011 and can kill more than half of the barramundi raised in a cage. The virus has caused “significant mortalities and financial losses” for Barramundi Group's Singapore operations, which recorded a loss of $31.9 million for FY2022.

It was good NOT to see a few key things. It was a relief to see zero live Horse mussel clams. The shore where they used to be today is smooth and covered with small seagrasses. In Oct 2023, the mussels covered a large area from the landfill seawall to the stream opening between the old mangrove and replanted mangroves. This suggests some sort of imbalance in the ecosystem. The area is opposite Barramundi Asia fish farm and most of the mussels were very much alive. I already noticed during our last survey in Dec 2022 that they seem to be spreading out. I first noticed small groups of them in Mar 2019, by Oct 2020, there were a lot more and closer together. Covering an area of about 20m2. By Nov 2024, they disappeared from the shore, the same time that the Barramundi Asia fish farm shutdown.

We also did not see any long fish nets laid on the shore. In May 2023, we came across a 300m long net which had trapped 14 sharks and many other fishes. The lack of these destructive activities seem to coincide with the closure of the fish farm. The other thing we didn't see was a bloom of Sargassum. Seems that at least here, the seasonal bloom is over.

The ongoing reclamation at Pulau Sudong seems to be in full swing today! With huge piles of sand and heavy equipment on the worksite.

We plan to survey Terumbu Bemban and Terumbu Menalung this week to have a closer look at possible impacts.

What is the fate of Pulau Semakau South?

These shores 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.

Some common animals I saw today.
The rest of the team make all the special sightings.

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

Chay Hoon

Jianlin Liu

Che Cheng Neo

Others on this survey: Lester Tan, Rui Quan Oh, Samuel Lau, Richard Kuah, Muhd Nasry, Marcus Ng, Jayden Kang, Foo Meijuan, Jun Ze, Tammy Lim, Isaac Ong, Che Cheng Neo, Dylan Seng

Diving at the Sisters Islands Marine Park to reopen later in 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:02:00 +0000

Some dive operatorsare preparing to expand their operations ahead of the reopening of Sisters’ Islands Marine Park for diving later this year.

From the NParks booklet on the dive trail.

Diving was suspended since 2021 to facilitate enhancement works. NParks will lift these restrictions later this year, allowing divers to return under approved operators.

Singapore dive operators gear up for return of diving at Sisters’ Islands
The site will be a significant addition to the limited number of local dive spots, and is expected to boost local interest in the sport and support conservation efforts.
Natalie Ong Channel NewsAsia 15 Apr 2026 05:10PM

SINGAPORE: Some dive operators in Singapore are preparing to expand their operations ahead of the reopening of Sisters’ Islands Marine Park for diving later this year, even increasing manpower in anticipation of rising demand.

The site will be a significant addition to a limited handful of local dive spots, joining existing locations such as Pulau Hantu, Pulau Jong and St John’s Island.

Industry players say it is expected to boost interest in domestic diving while raising awareness of marine conservation.

GROWING INTEREST IN LOCAL DIVING

While Singapore is not widely known as a diving destination – especially compared with neighbouring countries offering clearer waters and more abundant marine life – operators say interest in local diving has been steadily rising.

Mr Chua Ying Kai, co-founder of The Submersibles, said demand at his dive centre has increased by about 20 per cent every year.

He believes the reinstatement of diving at Sisters’ Islands could further shift perceptions by offering a more accessible and affordable alternative to overseas dive trips.

In anticipation, the company plans to double its number of dive masters and instructors to offer more small-group dives.

“In Singapore’s water environment, the visibility is limited, so ideally we should have one (instructor) to two or three (divers), so that everybody can have a good time and (remain) safe,” Mr Chua told CNA.

He noted that while the previous marine trails at Sisters’ Islands were interesting, they were relatively small – accommodating about 10 divers at a time and taking just 15 minutes to complete.

“(NParks) used a rope to mark out the marine trail. It's probably the only marine park in the world with signages underwater. It's very Singapore style, where we have stations 1 to 4, and so on. It's very interesting,” said Mr Chua.

“(With) more dive areas (coming up), it will be fantastic because then we have more space. We can bring more divers without bumping into each other and without affecting the environment.”

Another operator, Turtle Buddy Divers, said interest in Singapore’s waters is also growing among international visitors. The dive centre has seen a 10 per cent increase in foreign customers over the past year.

Its chief instructor Leonard Chang said: “I have a lot of foreign divers coming from places like the United States and Switzerland … just to have a feel of what Singapore's waters are like.”

REVITALISE DIVING SCENE

Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, located in the southern waters off Sentosa, reopened to visitors in October 2024 after three years of rejuvenation works.

It features attractions such as a floating boardwalk, a coastal forest trail and a lagoon tidal pool for swimming and snorkelling.

However, diving activities have remained suspended since 2021 to facilitate enhancement works.

The National Parks Board (NParks) will lift these restrictions later this year, allowing divers to return under approved operators.

Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan made the announcement at Asia Dive Expo last week, saying the move will attract more people to explore Singapore's waters and learn more about marine conservation.

Enthusiasts say that the biodiversity-rich waters around the park is likely to rejuvenate the local diving scene for both Singaporeans and tourists alike.

“The marine park will make diving more interesting. I believe there will be a growth for the number of people wanting to become divers in Singapore,” said The Submersibles' Mr Chua.

Mr Lim Teck Koon, an instructor at dive centre Blue Reef Scuba, agreed.

“With the busy schedules of working Singaporeans, we don't always have the ability to make a weekend trip,” he said. “Diving in Singapore offers us the opportunity to just make a day trip, or half a day trip. (Hence), more access to different locations will definitely help.”

WATERS MURKY ON DETAILS

Despite the optimism, operators say key details have yet to be finalised, including the extent of accessible dive areas and logistical arrangements.

When diving at Sisters' Islands was first permitted in 2015, six operators were given approval. It is unknown how many operators will be permitted this year.

Divers must also have certification beyond entry level from reputable international training organisations, and must have logged at least 20 dives, with one local dive within the past two years.

Blue Reef Scuba's Mr Lim noted that previous diving access at the park was limited to the authorised underwater trail.

“We were only allowed to dive in that designated area marked by underwater pickets. So we were not allowed to explore that far,” he said.

“So, our curiosity is … what is the extent of this reopening? Are there fixed sites that we go to, like a guided trail, or is the entire area around the island open to us?”

Operators also highlighted logistical considerations, including whether dives will be limited to boat access and how equipment and divers can be transported efficiently.

They said these factors will ultimately determine how quickly they can roll out new trips and courses once diving restarts.

Speech by MOS Alvin Tan at the Asia Dive Expo 2026
MND website Apr 10, 2026

Introduction

Good afternoon, and welcome to the 32nd edition of ADEX.

Thirty-two years is a big milestone, and many of you here are part of a a very thriving diving community, and we welcome you to Singapore and to the many other wonderful diving sites all around Southeast Asia. ADEX has grown into Asia’s largest and longest-running dive expo, welcoming over 20,000 visitors over the next three days. But what brings everybody here together is not just tourism officials, people who love diving, but the whole community. It’s a deep passion for our oceans.

Today I’ll speak about three things very quickly: why our oceans are important, what we are doing, and how ADEX is contributing to these efforts.

Needless to say, many of you know why our oceans are important. Singapore may be one of the smallest nations, but we are also at the gateway of the Coral Triangle – one of the most biodiverse regions in marine life. Our oceans also sustain ecosystems, livelihoods and communities, yet they are under increasing pressures from climate change and human activity. At the same time, as we have learnt over time, oceans are incredibly resilient and if we do the right things, we can help them to recover. From the smallest reef species to the largest whales, every part of this precious ecosystem helps keep our oceans in balance.

Reopening of Diving Activities at Sisters’ Island Marine Park

So it brings me to my next point – what are we doing to safeguard and protect our oceans? We are strengthening our efforts to protect and restore our marine environment.

Last month in Parliament, I shared that we will formally designate a second marine park later this year, and we will invest $60M in a new marine science research centre of excellence. All of these are small but important steps for us to take to strengthen our Nature Conservation Masterplan.

We also continue to work closely with the diving community - many of you, who are avid divers.
In that spirit, I am pleased to announce that in consultation with dive operators, NParks intends to reopen diving activities within Sisters’ Islands Marine Park later this year. So thank you to the NParks community for doing so. Many of you may have remembered that diving was paused in November 2021 to facilitate enhancement. With this reopening that I have just announced, divers can once again explore these waters with approved operators.

But more importantly, beyond that, this is about deepening our connection to the marine environment so that we can better understand, cherish, and protect our big blue. We will share more on our NParks website in due time..

What ADEX is doing

Finally, what is ADEX doing, and why is ADEX so important in working together with our community and the Government to safeguard our big blue. This year’s theme, "The Blue Revolution: Reduce, Innovate, Reuse", is very timely – because it reflects the practical actions we must take, to reduce our footprint, innovate solutions, and chart a more sustainable path forward.

So I’m encouraged by this year’s initiatives – The inaugural Blue Legacy Awards honours recognises those of you who have been making waves in marine conservation, with Ocean Academy extending the outreach beyond the diving community to include our youth, our next generation. These efforts help nurture a new generation of ocean stewards.

And this year, we are focusing on the Humphead Wrasse, an endangered species growing over two metres long, which plays animportant part in safeguarding coral reef health., But the Humphead Wrasse actually faces a serious threat from overfishing.

To protect it and other marine species, we must work closely across government, industry, researchers and our diving community. We must work closely, and that is why Governments, tourism officials, the diving community, researchers are all here today – all of you play an important role and platforms like ADEX bring all these different partners together. Because we have a strong community of student volunteers, partnerships with conservation groups and support from tourism boards all over Southeast Asia, like a reef that is built over time.

Conclusion

So please continue to safeguard this very precious resource, and together, let us turn the tide. Let us build a more sustainable future for our oceans.

Thank you, and I wish you a fruitful ADEX 2026.

SFA tech to predict harmful algal blooms that can impact fish farms

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:35:00 +0000

A network of eight sensors in Singapore’s waters will send data to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to detect abnormal readings and assess risks.

Fish farm off Pulau Ubin.

With a new prediction model being developed, SFA aims to forecast harmful algal blooms at least two days in advance. The upgrade is expected to be completed in the near future.

Singapore deploys tech to help fish farmers predict harmful algae blooms, protect supply
Algae blooms can rapidly deplete oxygen levels in the water or release toxins, creating dangerous conditions that can lead to large-scale fish deaths within a short period.
Eugene Chow and Calvin Yang Channel NewsAsia 14 Apr 2026 10:12AM

SINGAPORE: Singapore is deploying technology to help fish farmers predict harmful algae blooms in surrounding waters that can wipe out fish stocks.

This allows farmers to better prepare for and respond to such incidents, improving the chances of keeping their fish alive and their livelihoods afloat.

Algae blooms can rapidly deplete oxygen levels in the water or release toxins, creating dangerous conditions that can lead to large-scale fish deaths within a short period.

REAL-TIME WATER MONITORING

A network of eight buoy-like sensors has been installed in Singapore’s waters to monitor key water conditions such as dissolved oxygen and temperature in real time.

The system sends data to the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), allowing officers to detect abnormal readings and assess risks.

When such conditions arise, alerts are issued to fish farmers so they can act quickly to protect their stock.

Mr Sim Song Huat, owner of Top Ocean Seafood Trading, said access to such data can improve response times.

“We'll monitor the readings for oxygen, salinity and chlorophyll,” he noted. “If they drop, we'll pay closer attention and put in place preventive measures.”

The water quality readings are also updated regularly online, replacing what was once a repetitive and manual process.

ANALYSING WATER SAMPLES

Beyond real-time monitoring, data gathered supports ongoing research to help scientists better understand the changing water conditions.

Researchers are also working to better forecast harmful algae blooms by analysing the seawater samples collected from around the island.

In laboratories, they examine the seawater in detail.

This includes identifying plankton species that can produce neurotoxins which accumulate in fish when consumed in large amounts. These neurotoxins can cause fish to suffer seizures and even die.

Ms Hoe Geok Ting, a scientist from SFA’s agrifood technology division, said such efforts can protect farm production from environmental risks.

“Harmful algae bloom is a type of potentially adverse environmental event that we look out for, because it can cause mass fish kill when it occurs, and when they do, they can potentially wipe out farm stocks,” she added.

“In order to safeguard our farm production, we do need to closely monitor for such events so that we can make sure that our farmers are not affected by these conditions and events that are outside of their control."

FORECASTING HARMFUL BLOOMS

In 2015, Singapore experienced a severe algae bloom which wiped out up to 600 tonnes of fish across 55 farms.

“Since then, we’ve actually established the current, more robust water quality monitoring system,” said Ms Hoe.

“With this, we are also hoping to provide farmers with even earlier alerts, so that they have sufficient lead time to prepare themselves and safeguard their production before the onset of such blooms.”

With the new prediction model being developed, SFA aims to forecast such events at least two days in advance.

The upgrade is expected to be completed in the near future.

The agency expects the move to strengthen local fish supply and stabilise seafood prices during periods of import disruption.

Related post

Neptune coastal monitoring system upgraded Mar 2025

Feedback on land reclamation at Keppel-Tanjong Pagar

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 22:26:00 +0000

The marine community's feedback in the Straits Time include: Dr Jani Tanzil, facility director of the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, said reclamation poses a risk to nearby habitats such as the reefs around Sentosa. She noted that the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park and Kusu and Lazarus islands are located just 4km to 5km from the reclamation. “This is not a great distance (and) there is a good chance that finer sediments and other pollutants could be transported to and negatively impact these important key conservation areas,” added Dr Tanzil.

Dr Tanzil noted that the report did not consider how sediments in the water will block sunlight for corals, as a small reduction in light can greatly impact their survival and growth. “It is important to remember that in addition to the amount of sediments in the water, the more direct impact here is light reduction,” she said.

Ms Rachael Goh, co-lead of land use planning at environmental group LepakInSG, cautioned that the survival and success rate for transplantation may not be high, depending on various factors. “What is more important is allowing corals to come back after the reclamation is over. The sea wall or sloped rock revetment could make suitable new habitats for corals to return,” she added.

Ms Goh is hoping that the eventual environmental management and monitoring programme for this project will be made public.

Mr Isaac Ong, a member of the Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, urged the authorities to consider the cumulative effects of future developments on the south-eastern coast, including the construction of Long Island and the coastal barriers near Sentosa. Mr Ong said: “Singapore’s reefs have also experienced stress from sedimentation from decades of past coastal development, which already limited the depth ranges at which corals can grow. This is an added pressure.” The proposed coastal barriers have the potential to alter tidal flows and the movement of coral larvae. Reduced channel speeds at times could also increase the risk of harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality over time, he added.

Submit your feedback to HDB here https://form.gov.sg/6966fc4e7c5fe159af98b799

Links to full EIA and extracts in this blog post.

Land half the size of Marina Bay expected to be reclaimed as part of Greater Southern Waterfront
Shabana Begum Straits Times Apr 12, 2026, 05:00 AM

SINGAPORE - Plans to reshape Singapore’s southern coastline into a new precinct that will offer people more housing and recreational options are progressing.

Reclamation works are expected to be carried out at the Keppel and Tanjong Pagar terminals after they relocate to Tuas around 2027.

The work to reclaim around 213ha of land, around half the size of Marina Bay, for the Greater Southern Waterfront precinct will take at least 10 years to complete, the Housing Board told The Straits Times.

The proposed land reclamation was revealed in an environmental impact assessment released on HDB’s website on April 8.

In response to queries, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said the reclamation works will be carried out at the vacated terminals to form contiguous land that will enable comprehensive redevelopment of the area.

“This will provide a direct connection along the southern coastline between existing precincts such as Labrador and Harbourfront, areas currently occupied by the city terminals, and Marina Bay,” the URA spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added: “The development of the Greater Southern Waterfront will be paced out over many years to support Singapore’s long-term land use needs and will comprise a mix of uses. More detailed plans on future developments will be shared when ready.”

The area to be reclaimed is also located near Pulau Brani and Sentosa, which will be redeveloped into a leisure and tourism destination over the next two to three decades.

The future Greater Southern Waterfront precinct was announced in 2013. It stretches from Pasir Panjang to Marina East, and will have new residential precincts, as well as commercial, recreational and entertainment options. It is expected to take 20 to 30 years to transform the area.

The proposed land reclamation at the terminals will be located next to the Long Island mega-reclamation project involving the creation of some 800ha of new land, which serves to protect the low-lying East Coast area from rising sea levels.

In end-March, URA said it is planning to start preparatory works for Long Island, including removing seabed obstructions and moving materials into the waters. These works are not expected to impact land-based activities, and the authorities will share the affected locations in the coming months.

Singapore’s southern coastline will eventually comprise the Greater Southern Waterfront, Marina Bay, Kallang Basin and the future Long Island project.

The authorities did not say when the reclamation works at the terminals will begin.

But HDB told ST that the works will take place progressively as the port phases out and other works related to the environmental study are completed. These include developing measures to limit the impact on the environment and taking into account points from stakeholders for the project’s planning and design.

It was earlier reported that the Keppel and Tanjong Pagar terminals are expected to relocate to Tuas Port by 2027.

According to the environmental impact study by consultancy DHI Water & Environment, the reclamation area will be divided into two phases.

The smaller phase one has land extending from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre into the sea with a pointed, triangular tip. URA said the triangular-shaped profile relates to an “ongoing study for a future waterfront development”, and more details will be shared when ready.

In May 2024, ST reported that there are plans for Singapore’s two cruise terminals to be consolidated in the coming years, with the cruise centre in HarbourFront set to move so that a continuous promenade can be established as part of the Greater Southern Waterfront.

The second phase stretches from near the Marina Coastal Expressway to Keppel Terminal.

When asked about the need to reclaim more land for the Greater Southern Waterfront, URA said: “Land reclamation is one of several strategies to create additional space to support Singapore’s evolving and competing land use needs. Such projects are undertaken with careful consideration.”

Its spokesperson added that comprehensive studies are conducted to assess feasibility and trade-offs, alongside measures to mitigate potential impact on the environment and stakeholders, before a decision is taken and works are carried out.

The proposed reclamation will also support coastal protection efforts, as reclaiming land will enable a new seawall to be constructed at a height that strengthens the area’s defences against rising sea levels, high tides and storm surges, added URA.

The land will also be raised to a higher level during the reclamation works.

These shields will form a continuous line of defence against rising sea-levels with other structures that would likely be part of the new precinct’s coastal defences.

Coastal protection measures proposed for the Greater Southern Waterfront in 2025 include coastal barriers – or arm-like gates – to be installed on both ends of Sentosa to shield the main coastline from storm surges.

On the environmental impact of the reclamation works, the over 600-page report noted that coral habitats and filter feeders on the existing concrete piles within the site will be permanently removed.

Increased sediments could also affect corals and seagrass at the Sentosa shoreline and in Marina South.

For example, an area near the Marina Bay Cruise Centre has colonies of hard corals, and the coastal walls along parts of Tanjong Pagar Terminal have large gorgonian sea fans, the report noted.

Construction activities such as dredging can produce underwater noise, which may impact elusive marine mammals.

The study suggested measures to limit impacts on marine biodiversity, which include regularly monitoring the corals at Sentosa and installing silt screens at the construction area to contain sediments and prevent them from spreading.

HDB told ST that coral transplantation will be carried out to relocate the corals within the affected area before development works, and this will be done in consultation with the National Parks Board (NParks).

Other reef-dependent marine animals deemed to be of conservation value will also be relocated, added the agency.

ST had earlier reported that NParks was drawing up an advisory for coastal developers to reduce underwater noise to avoid harming creatures such as the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin and the dugong that frequent Singapore’s coastal waters. Asked whether such an advisory would be issued before the upcoming works, NParks said it would be doing so.

HDB said that with suitable mitigation and management measures in place, the proposed reclamation “does not pose any significant negative or unacceptable impacts”. These measures will be implemented throughout the reclamation works to ensure that environmental impact is mitigated, the agency added.

Land reclamation will bury marine habitats and reefs peppered along the sea-facing structures and seawalls at the terminals. Sediment plumes from dredging and infilling could also affect habitats nearby, like the reefs of northern Sentosa, said marine experts.

Dr Jani Tanzil, facility director of the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, said reclamation poses a risk to nearby habitats such as the reefs around Sentosa as well as the marine life-rich Southern Islands.

She noted that the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park and the future second marine park expected to cover parts of Kusu and Lazarus islands are located just 4km to 5km from the reclamation.

“This is not a great distance (and) there is a good chance that finer sediments and other pollutants could be transported to and negatively impact these important key conservation areas,” added Dr Tanzil.

Dr Tanzil noted that the report did not consider how sediments in the water will block sunlight for corals, as a small reduction in light can greatly impact their survival and growth.

“It is important to remember that in addition to the amount of sediments in the water, the more direct impact here is light reduction,” she said.

Ms Rachael Goh, co-lead of land use planning at environmental group LepakInSG, cautioned that the survival and success rate for transplantation may not be high, depending on various factors.

“What is more important is allowing corals to come back after the reclamation is over. The sea wall or sloped rock revetment could make suitable new habitats for corals to return,” she added. Ms Goh is hoping that the eventual environmental management and monitoring programme for this project will be made public.

Mr Isaac Ong, a member of the Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, urged the authorities to consider the cumulative effects of future developments on the south-eastern coast, including the construction of Long Island and the coastal barriers near Sentosa.

Mr Ong said: “Singapore’s reefs have also experienced stress from sedimentation from decades of past coastal development, which already limited the depth ranges at which corals can grow. This is an added pressure.”

The proposed coastal barriers have the potential to alter tidal flows and the movement of coral larvae. Reduced channel speeds at times could also increase the risk of harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality over time, he added.

Members of the public can give feedback on the environmental study through HDB’s website until May 5.

Second B. hainesii at Pasir Ris!

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:32:00 +0000

A small team survey the small but lush natural mangroves next to the Sungei Loyang canal.

This home to a large Bakau mata buaya that we have been visiting for nearly 20 years. Today, we saw a second smaller tree!

As on our last survey in Dec 2024, this patch of mangroves seems to be doing well. The mud is nice and soft and smelly. There are lots of little saplings everywhere.

The big trees are doing well. There seems to be less trash than usual.

This small mangrove is home to the beautiful Bakau mata buaya, listed as 'Critically Endangered' not just in Singapore but globally too! We regularly check up on a large Bakau mata buaya here, the last on the mainland (the one at Sungei Buloh is dead). I first saw this tree in 2009 and it has thrived ever since. Almost every time I see it, it is blooming profusely and producing propagules too. Similar to our last visit in 2024, today, it is still standing strong and with flowers on the tree and lots of fallen calyx on the ground. The embankment behind the tree continues to erode away, the base of the tree looks strong and healthy. There wasn't much litter accumulated near the tree.

So much joy to find a second smaller tree here, about 6m tall. It doesn't have the fierce buttress roots like the taller one, but we can see the knee roots typical of the species. It also has flowers on the tree and lots of fallen calyx on the ground. We even found a fallen propagule nearby!

There used to be a Pisang-pisang (Kandelia candel) in this mangrove - the only known naturally occurring one on the mainland. I first saw it in 2009 as well. But the last time I saw it was in 2011, and in 2015 the spot where it used to be was full of thrash.

For the first time, I had a good look at this patch of mangroves. Starting from the mangrove edge next to Sungei Loyang (now a canal).

The mangrove trees here are tall and healthy. With a variety of the usual common species. Also Teruntum putih (Lumnitzera racemosa) listed as 'Endangered'; a very tall tree (about 6m) and many young shrubs.

The canal itself is not dead concrete. There are a lot of clams growing there which probably shelters a variety of animals. Will have to take a closer look another time.

Today, there is still some alarmingly huge trash deep inside the mangroves. Although the load of smaller litter is not as excessive.

This mangrove has always had signs of human impact. In 2023, I saw a long platform built among the trees.

And there were signs of people 'storing' their belongings among the trees.

In 2018, I saw several kayaks 'stored' among the trees. Today, aside from the washed up trash, I didn't see any such human impacts.

A stretch of sandy shores and lush seagrass meadows extend at the mouth of Sungei Loyang. Mostly Spoon seagrass with both small and large leaves, growing particularly thickly on the soft silty edges away from the shore. Today, the tide wasn't very low so we didn't focus on this area.

What is the fate of Pasir Ris shores?

There doesn't seem to be a change in 2013 plans 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.

Additionally, the URA Master Plan indicates plans to develop the area affecting the naturally regenerated mangroves.

The URA plan overlaid on Google Earth shows it covers the entirety of the mangroves we surveyed.

See Pasir Ris shores for yourself !

These shores are easy to get to, and enjoyed by many people. But it remains rich in a variety of marine life. More details in "Pasir Ris - Perfect intertidal getaway for the family" Today, we visited at 1m and it seems you can see some shores, and of course, all of the mangroves!

Photos by others on this survey

Rui Quan Oh

EIA for land reclamation at Keppel-Tanjong Pagar

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:39:00 +0000

Reclamation will take place after end of 2027. "As construction activities for the Project are not confirmed at this stage, the worst-case scenarios in terms of potential impacts were identified and assessed within this study."

Shores nearby include Sentosa (Serapong and Tg Rimau), Labrador, P. Tekukor, Kusu Island, Seringat Kias and Lazarus, St. John's Island. And Marina East.

HDB wants your feedback https://form.gov.sg/6966fc4e7c5fe159af98b799

From Executive Summary on the HDB website

The Housing and Development Board (HDB) intends to undertake land reclamation at the southern region of Singapore. The City Terminals—Keppel, Tanjong Pagar and Brani—are expected to be relocated to Tuas Port by end of 2027 and the proposed land reclamation will be carried out at the vacated Keppel and Tanjong Pagar terminals connecting the area with Marina Bay to support the area’s overall redevelopment and coastal protection plans. This Project will be part of the Greater Southern Waterfront which extends from Pasir Panjang to Marina East which will be transformed for urban living along the southern coast.

The Project will comprise the construction of seawall (sloping seawall including revetments) and other marine and drainage facilities, including but not limited to soil improvement works, dredging of seabed, infilling of sand and/or other reclamation fill materials such as land-based excavated earth materials generated from the construction industry or dredged materials.

Construction activities for the Project are not confirmed at this stage but are likely to include sand key dredging and infilling, sand bund construction, seawall removal, demolition of existing piles and pile deck, and other drainage facilities within the Project site. As the construction methodology has not been firmed up, the worst-case scenarios in terms of potential impacts were identified and assessed within the study.

The following changes and impacts were predicted for the construction (process) phase:

Marine ecology and biodiversity: Increased SSC and sedimentation during construction are predicted to have up to a Minor Negative Impact on coral and seagrass at the nearby Sentosa shoreline and Marina South due to construction works and sediment transport, with Slight Negative or No Impact predicted at other receptors. Slight Negative Impacts are associated with construction disturbances (underwater noise and vibration, physical disturbances and light pollution) and deterioration of environmental quality during the construction, while the change in risk of oil spills due to vessel collisions is assessed as a No Impact through suitable implementation of mitigating measures. No other impacts are predicted for the relevant receptors.

During the post-construction (project) phase, the following changes and impacts were predicted:

Marine ecology and biodiversity: The main long-term impacts to marine ecology are related to the direct impact of the project, given that habitats including coral habitats, macrobenthos and filter feeders on the existing concrete piles, within the physical footprint of the development will be permanently removed. The overall impact is assessed as a Moderate Negative Impact for corals and a Slight Negative Impact for the filter feeders and soft seabed habitat in terms of the lost habitat, and a Minor Positive Impact in terms of the potential new habitat created along the sloped rock revetment of the new reclamation. Minor Negative Impacts from suspended sediments are predicted for corals at Sentosa and Marina South, and Slight Negative Impacts for seagrass at Sentosa and Marina East. Additionally, localised Slight Negative Impact for corals at the eastern side of Sentosa, Marina South and Marina East due to sedimentation caused by localised seabed redistribution are also predicted. However, these localised effects are expected to be temporary as an initial seabed response to the predicted current changes in these areas, and are expected to reduce over time as a new equilibrium is reached. Note also that these changes are expected to start once Phase 1 of the reclamation is completed, so the model results for the Final profile are considered to be conservative. No Impacts are predicted to other marine habitats.

Some diagrams extracted from the Main Report on the HDB website

Return to mangroves at Marina East

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 23:12:00 +0000

A small team of mangrove enthusiasts return to the larger patch of mangroves at Marina East which Arjun Sai Krishnan first explored in Dec 2025. I was excited to share with them what we saw on our survey in Feb 2026.

A healthy patch of mangroves had settled naturally here. From tiny saplings among the cracks in the seawall to huge trees behind the artificial seawall and reclaimed land. We found a few more rare mangroves in addition to those we saw on our previous survey. Mangrove nerds were highly over stimulated. The rest of the team documents birds, fish and other wildlife that have also settled here. I will update with their sightings later on.

The most exciting find was the Critically Endangered Gedabu (Sonneratia ovata). A small healthy tree which was producing flower buds. These are mainly found in our northern mangroves. So far, I've only seen one at Berlayar Creek, that one might have been planted and perhaps not from native stock. Nasry found a small sapling of Dungun (Heritiera littoralis) listed as Endangered.

The Mentigi (Pemphis acidula) listed as Critically Endangered, is still there and looking healthy but not flowering as profusely as it did on our last visit. We also admired and checked up on the Tumu Berau (Bruguiera sexangula) listed as Critically Endangered - and Kwan Siong taught us how to distinguish it from the more common Tumu (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza). We couldn't find any Api-api jambu (Aviccenia marina).

As I waited for the sunrise, I saw a glimpse of the seawall just peeking out of the water. It is the western most part of the 2.5km seawall covered in corals. We survey the eastern most part of this seawall at East Coast Park Area B, only on a super low tide. Our last survey here was in Nov 2025.

I had a closer look at the small sandy beach at the 'elbow' on the eastern most end of the seawall. The ground is super soft. On the mid-shore, a lot of litter had accumuluted. Including many single-use water cups, which likely come from ferries that ply our waters. 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.

The area we surveyed today is in the yellow circle.

Mangroves on this artificial shore seems to be quite resilient and has survived massive development as well as the Pasir Panjang oil spill and other impacts. Looking at Google Earth over the years, it seems there was always a wild patch in that area since 2007, remaining there despite the massive works in the area through the decades. To me, it seems the area became more conducive to mangrove settlement after the jetty was constructed in 2014. This created an 'elbow' and a small beach on the eastern most end of the seawall.

The mangroves and seagrasses on this artificial shore have returned after every massive coastal works. These are the mangroves I saw near the Marina Barrage in 2008. Growing on the western most end in the seawall. These were lost due to works for the MCE.

The seagrasses returned to the low shore below the seawall on western end in 2015, but were again affected by coastal works, probably related to the construction of the jetty.

The low shore on the western end in Feb 2015
Photo by Loh Kok Sheng.

By 2017, seagrasses were back on the low shore below the seawall on western end.

In Dec 2025, we surveyed the seagrasses that settled naturally on the low shore below the seawall on western end, and a tiny patch of mangroves has settled on the berm there. Today, I walked past them as the sun rose.

What is the fate of this shore?

Massive reclamation is planned near the area we surveyed today as outlined recently in the Long-Term Plan Review. From Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Marina Bay.

Technical studies for 'Long Island' 800ha reclamation off the East Coast were announced and preparatory works beginning.

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 for coastal! 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.

Photos by others on this survey

Zen Xuan He

Koh Kwan Siong

Others on this survey: Muhd Nasry, Yan Le Su, Jayden Kang, Ong Jun Ze, Ian Mun, Meijuan Foo.

'Preparatory Works' to start for Long Island

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 22:02:00 +0000

Agencies are planning preparatory works, which includes removing seabed obstructions and movement of materials into the waters. This is done progressively ahead of the main reclamation works, to ensure timely completion of reclamation works for ‘Long Island’. These preparatory works will not lock in the plans for ‘Long Island’ and will not involve reclamation works.

East Coast reclamation in 1972, from the URA Long Island website.

The plans and design for ‘Long Island’ will only be finalised after the full findings of technical studies, mitigation measures and feedback from further public engagements have been taken onboard. Reclamation works will begin thereafter.

Share your feedback and indicate interest for future engagements here.

Update on the ‘Long Island’ project: Further public engagements and preparatory works being planned
URA media release 30 March 2026

1 The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and partner agencies have engaged more than 14,000 people on the ‘Long Island’ project to date, to understand their aspirations and gather ideas. Agencies will continue to engage the public and key stakeholders in shaping future plans for ‘Long Island’. Given the criticality and scale of ‘Long Island’, agencies are planning to undertake preparatory works progressively to ensure the timely completion of ‘Long Island’ to protect the area from rising sea levels.

More than 14,000 people have contributed to a collective vision of a ‘Long Island’ that protects the East Coast and supports future generations

2 Since November 2023, agencies have been engaging people from all walks of life to gather ideas for ‘Long Island’ – an integrated solution that is critical to protect the East Coast from sea level rise, enhance Singapore’s water resilience through a new reservoir, and provide additional land for future development needs. Through focus group discussions and dialogue sessions with key East Coast stakeholders, community leaders and interest groups (e.g. nature, sports and recreational groups), as well as exhibitions, online surveys and large group sessions with the general public, more than 14,000 people have shared their vision and aspirations as well as some of their concerns for ‘Long Island’.

3 Overall, there was consensus on the critical need to protect the low-lying East Coast from rising sea levels, and recognition that ‘Long Island’ is an optimal solution that brings multiple national benefits. Participants also shared aspirations for a new coastline that integrates accessible living spaces with green and blue spaces, as well as sports and recreational opportunities. There were suggestions to incorporate nature-based solutions such as creating conditions for marine life and inter-tidal habitats to thrive, as well as to implement the works in phases to mitigate the impact on affected stakeholders as much as possible. The ideas garnered so far reflect a collective vision for ‘Long Island’ to strengthen Singapore’s flood resilience, support sensitive and sustainable development, and preserve flexibility for the evolving needs of current and future generations.

4 Agencies will continue to evaluate the feasibility of these ideas, and factor them into the ongoing technical studies. For example, many participants expressed the importance of retaining the recreational nature of East Coast Park. There were also suggestions for the creation of beaches and bio-revetments that can be integrated with the new ‘Long Island’ coastline, and for the future ‘Long Island’ reservoir to support recreational uses and water activities, similar to Marina Reservoir. Agencies are planning more engagements with stakeholders and the public to dive deeper into key topics, such as the types of activities that could take place along the new ‘Long Island’ coastline and future reservoir.

Preparatory works being planned progressively to ensure timely implementation of ‘Long Island’; works to be phased to minimise impact as far as possible

5 ‘Long Island’ is a critical coastal protection measure to safeguard lives and livelihoods, as rising sea levels increasingly affect low-lying coastal areas, including the East Coast.1 It is also a large-scale project, with potentially over 800 hectares of land reclaimed, about two times the size of Marina Bay. Given its criticality and scale, agencies are therefore planning to undertake preparatory works, which include the removal of seabed obstructions and movement of materials into the waters, progressively ahead of the main reclamation works. This is important to ensure timely completion of reclamation works for ‘Long Island’.

6 Agencies are working out the specific timeline and scope of preparatory works, which will be undertaken progressively to minimise the impact on users at the East Coast as far as possible. Agencies will continue to engage relevant stakeholders, and more details will be announced in the coming months.

7 These preparatory works will not lock in the plans for ‘Long Island’ and will not involve reclamation works. The plans and design for ‘Long Island’ will only be finalised after the full findings of technical studies, mitigation measures and feedback from further public engagements have been taken onboard. Reclamation works will begin thereafter.

8 As East Coast Park is an important recreational space with shared social memories, we will plan for ‘Long Island’ and the new reservoir to facilitate future recreational activities. Agencies will continue to engage stakeholders and the public to refine the plans. More information on ‘Long Island’ can be found at go.gov.sg/long-island.

1 Some seafront areas such as East Coast Park have experienced coastal flooding in recent years, due to seasonal high tides. For instance, seasonal high tides caused temporary coastal flooding in Jan 2026 and Jan 2024. These events against the backdrop of rising sea levels and more intense rainfall underscore the need to begin coastal protection works progressively.

Other intertidal surveys: Mar 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 02:39:00 +0000

Thanks to Marcus for visiting Cyrene in March so we could get an update on the mass injuries we saw to the Knobbly sea stars that we observed in Feb 2026.

Collage of photos by Marcus Ng.

Marcus photographed 14 Knobblies on his Mar 2026 visit. Although all of them appear healthy at first glance, a closer look at the top 5 knobs shows that 10 sea stars (or about 70%) show recovery from damage. Where the top 5 big knobs should be, there was a sheared flat surface - which were a dark colour and thus seem 'healed', not greyish-blue as we observed in Feb 2026. Others had dark patches at the top and the knobs were missing or seem a little 'limp'. One had knobs that look like they were starting to separate at the base from the main body. One pale sea star had three knobs instead of one large knob. Only 5 sea stars seem normal. Again, still not sure what is going on. But at least there isn't new damage?

In Feb 2026, we observed up to 70% of the sea stars on Cyrene were damaged. In many affected stars, the top five knobs were lost. In some, only a few of the top 5. From Kok Sheng's photos, it seems the knob fell off, rather than being bitten off by predators. The cut is clean and sheer, and there is even one photo with the knob still hanging on by a bit of tissue. So possibly the sea stars self amputated their knobs, the same way that they can do with their arms? We are still checking with science and aquarist experts to get a better understanding of what might have happened.

Collage of photos by Loh Kok Sheng.

In the Mar 2026 visit to Cyrene, Zen saw what looks like some dugong feeding trails, faint as the seagrass cover on Cyrene is now very thin. 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. Zen and Marcus saw lots of Polka-dot nudibranchs - they were abundant on all shores we surveyed this cycle. Also interesting fish and other marine life. The hard and soft corals looked well.

Collage of photos by Marcus Ng and Zen Xuan He.

There were also visits to Chek Jawa and other shores between the super low tides. Thanks for keeping an eye on our shores.

Zen Xuan He helped researchers Chek Jawa on 3 Mar and got some glimpses of the shore.

Marcus Ng checked up on Cyrene on 23 Mar.

Zen Xuan He was kindly invited to join Marcus at the Cyrene survey on 23 Mar.

Rui Quan Oh checked up the mangroves near Pandan Reservoir on 29 Mar.

Pulau Semakau (West) in the face of Sudong reclamation

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 01:44:00 +0000

The full team survey this stretch of Pulau Semakau which used to be regularly visited as it is part of the public walk trail. We are trying to check this shore out more regularly.

I checked on the mangroves for the first time in a long while, with the massive reclamation at Pulau Sudong on the horizon. We still find Giant clams, seahorse and other interesting marine life. The rest of the team make all the special finds, I will update with their sighting later on. The corals seem okay. There were lots of lively sharks and sea turtles in the water too. The seagrass situation, unfortunately, remains unchanged.

As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds. Throughout the trip, there were lots of small sharks cruising the reef edge, probably waiting for 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. Richard saw more than 10 along his route, and got this great clip of some of them. Our sharks are NOT dangerous to humans. It is perfectly safe to be on the shore with them if we respect their space. In fact, they will flee as soon as they notice us. 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!

Che Cheng found a seahorse! While many saw this zoomy little green fish which is probably a Wrasse. There were also many octopuses seen, as well as the usual nudibranchs and colourful crabs seen on our reefs. At the reef edge, large Diadema sea urchins. Special (for me) was the sighting of the rarely seen Leathery sea anemone and it was nice to know that the Magnificent sea anemones are still there.

Collage of photos by the team.
Links to their albums below.

Update on Giant clams seen: 2 live Fluted giant clams, 1 Burrowing giant clam, 2 dead Fluted giant clams. Jason spotted one of the live Fluted giant clams - which we have seen before. While Richard and Che Cheng saw the 2 dead Fluted giant clams. The rest of the clams were sighted by the TMSI Giant clam team.

Collage of photos by the team.
Links to their albums below.

The reef edge is rich with corals, but I didn't check it out - but the rest of the team did. They saw large colonies of Anemone coral. And many Circular mushroom corals as well as other kinds of mushroom corals. There were also the usual common corals.

Collage of photos by the team.
Links to their albums below.

There have never been a lot of hard corals between the reef edge and the lagoon, there are scattered medium to large corals. Mostly boulder shaped. In the shallow pools, there are also some small corals. As in Jul 2025, I saw the usual common species and didn't see any that were bleaching. There were a few Branching montipora colonies, but I didn't see any 'fields' of them.

As usual, there were many Boulder pore corals. While most were a normal brown, I saw some that were pale or pinkish (a sign of stress). None were outright bleaching.

I only saw leathery soft corals closer towards the reef edge. Most colonies were small, although a few larger ones were see right at the reef edge. I didn't see any that were bleaching.

The other most abundant cnidarians remained Broad feathery soft corals which formed brown patches sprinkled towards the reef edge. There were a few Haddon's carpet anemones at the mid-shore and more Giant carpet anemones towards the reef edge. I saw other cnidarians like a cerianthid, Frilly anemones, corallimorphs, zoanthids. I didn't see any that were bleaching.

On the mid-shore, there were still a wide variety of colourful sponges.

I had a quick look at the narrow line of mangrove trees that have settled on the high shore. The usual common species represented. There were some short Bakau pasir (Rhizophora stylosa) but I didn't see any Api-api jambu (Avicennia marina). While the trees were tall and well grown, only a few were flowering or producing propagules and some of the Perepat (Sonneratia alba) were affected by fluffy white stuff.

There used to be a large meadow of long Tape seagrass in a long shallow lagoon here. Here's what it looked like when TeamSeagrass started monitoring the seagrasses here in 2007.

The highlight of the public walk in the past was walking through thick growths of very long Tape seagrass, as in this photo taken in 2008.

Today, the middle of the shallow lagoon remains almost completely bare, with very few Tape seagrasses, all were cropped short and only 2 leaves. Similar to what we saw on our last survey in Jul 2025, Jun 2023 and Jan 2021. Similar to our last survey, There were sprinkles of Spoon seagrass (small leaves) towards the high shore as well as some Needle seagrass (narrow leaves). There were also tiny scattered patches of Sickle seagrass. Today, the seagrasses were mostly not very heavily covered in epiphytes.

Towards and at the reef edge, I saw many more clumps of Tape seagrass with long leaves (about 30cm).

We saw some poles all over the shores including at the reef edge, probably from ongoing experiments. One series of poles were over what used to be the Tape seagrass lagoon. They seem lined up with the Sudong reclamation. So hopefully, there can be some data if there is any impact on Pulau Semakau.

The ongoing reclamation at Pulau Sudong seems to be in full swing today! With huge piles of sand and heavy equipment on the worksite. Photo by Ian Mun, including the visible intervening large submerged reefs of Beting Bemban Besar, and Terumbu Raya.

But there are other smaller reefs closer to the worksite. We plan to survey Terumbu Bemban and Terumbu Menalung on the next low spring tide at end April.

More about Pulau Semakau

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.

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.

What is the fate of Pulau Semakau (West)?

These shores are slated for massive reclamation outlined recently in the Long-Term Plan Review.

Che Cheng Neo

Richard Kuah

Jason Ooi

Rui Quan Oh

Samuel Lau

Tommy Tan

Others on this survey: Ian Mun, TMSI clam team, Meijuan Foo.

Pulau Jong is alive!

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 08:10:00 +0000

A large team survey this untouched island, landing at sunrise. Corals seem to be okay, we didn't see any mass coral bleaching.

The tide window was narrow but the team managed to find many Giant clams and other amazing colourful marine life. I will update with their observations later.

This last pristine island lies just minutes from the Central Business District. As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds: large cowries, interesting brittle stars and large sea urchins. Cute hermit crabs, colourful crabs and strange sea anemones. There are stingrays and sharks (see Che Cheng's video below). And also one Long-tailed macaque - we saw two in the past.

Collage of photos by the team.
Links to their albums below.

Thanks to Che Cheng for this awesome clip of a peaceful shark excited to hunt for fish in water so shallow, its fins are sticking out. Our sharks are NOT dangerous to humans. They will U-turn as soon as they notice us. 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!

The rest of the team not only spotted many different kinds of nudibranchs, Jianlin also document eggs by some of them! Everyone saw many small Polka-dot nudibranchs too, and Rachel saw what might have been their egg ribbon. There were also other kinds of slugs, and some colourful flatworms too.

Collage of photos by the team.
Links to their albums below.

Pulau Jong is very much alive, even though it lies near petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom, the Landfill and major shipping lanes. It is mostly rocky shore which is a surprisingly great place for Giant clams to settle!

Update on Giant clams found: 6 Fluted giant clams including a new sighting of a large one on the reef edge found by Rachael (bottom right), and a small one (about 10cm) found by Marcus. The others are known clams. The collage below of photos by the team omits one which didn't have a clear photo. They seem well.

Collage of photos by the team.
Links to their albums below.

Here's the two large Fluted giant clams (about 30cm) that we have seen before. I went to pay my respects Mama Jong but couldn't even find the stick that marks her location. This enormous Giant clam is called Mama Jong because her babies were a part of Dr Neo Mei Lin's work. She has been loved and monitored for a long time. We found her dead on our Jun 2018 survey, and in Aug 2021, even her shells were no longer at the spot where she was. We are glad the Giant Clam team from TMSI was on our survey to take proper records of these awesome animals.

Similar to our survey in Aug 25, today I saw some small and medium-sized leathery soft corals of various kinds. There used to be many very large colonies here, but I noticed a decline in Aug 2020. In Jan 2023 is noticed some large colonies and in May 2024, there remained many medium sized colonies but no large colonies. I didn't see any that were bleaching. I also saw the other usual cnidarians such as Asparagus flowery soft corals. Large areas of the shore was covered in button zoanthids as well as Sea mat zoanthids - some were very pale but not bleaching.

I have never seen a lot of hard corals on Pulau Jong since we started surveying it. Today, there were the usual variety of commonly seen species, most were boulder shaped. Most seemed alright, I didn't see any that were outright bleaching.

As usual, there were many Boulder pore corals from very large colonies to smaller ones. Most seemed alright, although some were a little paler. And a few had black fluffy stuff growing on holes which are commonly seen on this corals made by burrowing animals (these typically leave a pink ring of live tissue around the holes). Thanks to Dr Clarence Sim for pointing this out. Not sure what is happening.

There are still sprinkles of Sickle seagrass and Spoon seagrass on the south-eastern edge of the island. I forgot to take photos, so thanks to Dr Clarence Sim for these photos. They were fresh and green although some were covered in the pale brownish fuzz that Dr Sim says might be long-chain diatoms.

Photos by Dr Clarence Sim.

Recently, I am keeping track of Sargassum bloom on our shores as they seem to start earlier and end later. Today at Pulau Jong, there were still longer strands of the seaweeds in the middle of the reef flats, although the rest of the shores were mostly clear.

Untouched by reclamation, Pulau Jong is one of the last islands where you can find the full spectrum of coastal ecosystems that used to be found in Singapore. Coastal forest growing on natural cliffs full of native plants, along a shore with corals and marine life. Today, the tide window was too narrow for me to look at the forest.

What is the fate of Pulau Jong?

Pulau Jong as well as Terumbu Semakau and much of natural Pulau Semakau is 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.

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

Che Cheng Neo

Marcus Ng

Jianlin Liu

Rachael Goh

Rui Quan Oh

Tammy Lim

Lon Voon Ong

Samuel Lau

Jason Ooi

Zen Xuan He

Tommy Tan

Others on this survey: Ian Mun, Dr Clarence Sim, TMSI Gian Clam team.

EIA on impacts to Helios Secondary Reef questioned

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:51:00 +0000

Experts and nature groups raised questions about the rigour of the environmental study, pointing to how the report’s conclusion on impact to corals was based not on field surveys, but from a study that could now be outdated.

Ms Rachael Goh, co-lead of land use planning at environmental group LepakInSG, pointed out that the coral community composition could have changed over the past 14 years. “While the Helios Secondary Reef is located far away from the canal outlet, corals could have established on the sea walls nearer to the outlet. The thing is, we wouldn’t know for certain because no surveys were conducted.”

Research fellow Lionel Ng from the NUS Tropical Marine Science Institute said “many things have happened between 2012 and 2025 – including two major coral bleaching events in 2016 and 2024 – and a few minor ones, as well as other marine impacts that may not have been as well documented”, and these events could have resulted in a reef environment that is different from what was reported in the 2012 report.

Nature experts say they have not properly surveyed Jurong Island’s vegetated areas because of restrictions there. Mr Muhammad Nasry Abdul Nasir, executive director of the environmental group Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, noted that the trees would help to lower temperatures on the industrial island. There could also be more bird crashes with buildings replacing vegetation, he added.

Study finds Jurong Island power plant may not impact corals, but experts raise questions on methods
Shabana Begum Straits Times Mar 10, 2026, 05:00 AM

SINGAPORE – An environmental study for one of the first developments in an area of Jurong Island carved out for low-carbon technologies has found that its impacts on the marine environment would be limited.

Slated to be up and running by 2029, electricity retailer PacificLight’s 670MW hydrogen-compatible natural gas power plant and energy storage system will be able to power more than 864,000 four-room flats for a year.

Much of the 430-page report, published online in mid-February, was focused on identifying the development’s impacts on the marine environment, which are likely to arise from discharge released by the power plant.

This includes stormwater run-off from the premises and seawater that is taken in to cool the plant and subsequently released. Such discharge could be heated and contain chlorine, which can stress marine life and even cause death at elevated levels.

Hard corals, in particular, are sensitive to heat. When stressed by warmer waters during a marine heatwave, corals turn ashen white in a phenomenon known as coral bleaching.

The nearest known coral reef to the power plant is known as the Helios Secondary Reef, and is located about 700m away from the discharge outlet. It is made up of corals that colonised the seawall and artificial structures at the southern hook of Jurong Island.

The environmental impact assessment by consultancy ERM (Environmental Resources Management) had involved studying samples of plankton and bottom-dwelling organisms.

Information on corals at Helios Secondary Reef had been gleaned from a 2012 study by the National Parks Board. The ERM report noted that the reef was significant in supporting a number of nationally vulnerable and near threatened coral species.

Modelling studies were also conducted to deduce how far the heated discharge would spread.

Under ASEAN guidelines on marine water quality, heated discharge should not raise the surrounding sea temperature beyond 2 deg C.

Models showed that a more than 2 deg C increase in water temperature could extend up to 300m away from the discharge point. Such an outcome would happen less than 1 per cent of the time during the north-east monsoon season, when wind speeds are higher, models showed.

Within 100m of the discharge outlet, temperatures could rise by 2 deg C about 20 per cent of the time.

Models also showed that the chlorine levels within 300m are compliant with international standards, said the report. Therefore, the marine impact was deemed to be minor and negligible.

However, some experts and nature groups raised questions about the rigour of the environmental study, pointing to how the report’s conclusion on impact to corals was based not on field surveys, but from a study that could now be outdated.

Ms Rachael Goh, co-lead of land use planning at environmental group LepakInSG, pointed out that the coral community composition could have changed over the past 14 years.

“While the Helios Secondary Reef is located far away from the canal outlet, corals could have established on the sea walls nearer to the outlet. The thing is, we wouldn’t know for certain because no surveys were conducted.”

Other experts also pointed out that two major coral bleaching events happened after 2012, which could have affected the reef health and species diversity on Helios.

Research fellow Lionel Ng from the NUS Tropical Marine Science Institute said “many things have happened between 2012 and 2025 – including two major coral bleaching events in 2016 and 2024 – and a few minor ones, as well as other marine impacts that may not have been as well documented”, and these events could have resulted in a reef environment that is different from what was reported in the 2012 report.

Emeritus Professor Chou Loke Ming of the National University of Singapore’s Department of Biological Sciences acknowledged that the report did consider the distance of the Helios reef from the impact area.

“But it would be better if a more recent assessment of (the) reef was made. It is a developing reef habitat and may possibly be supporting more vulnerable species as time goes on,” he said.

Prof Chou added that such reefs “display a remarkable ability to regenerate” and should be fully utilised in nature-based solutions to protect coastlines against rising seas.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, PacificLight said the scope and methods of the environmental baseline assessment were developed in consultation with relevant government agencies.

“The studies we have undertaken, which have been conducted against applicable ASEAN and international thresholds for aquatic life protection, show that our project will not cause significant stress to any coral communities in the vicinity of the discharge outlet,” it added.

The company said it will also develop plans to outline how risks to the marine environment will be managed during the facility’s construction and operation. These include setting up silt curtains during construction to minimise sedimentation – which can be harmful to corals – and monitoring the temperature and chlorine levels of the discharge.

PacificLight said plankton and tiny bottom-dwelling organisms were chosen for on-site sampling because they are early indicators of changes in water quality such as temperature, residual chlorine, and nutrients.

“(They) exist within and near to the predicted extent of the discharge plume, and respond quickly to environmental changes,” the company said.

PacificLight’s power plant and energy storage system is among the first developments in an area carved aside for new low-carbon energy projects on Jurong Island.

JTC Corporation announced in late 2025 that around 320ha of land on the island will be earmarked
for new energy projects and a data centre park. The areas set aside for these facilities are largely in the south-west and north-west of the island, where vegetated areas still remain.

The secondary forests mainly sprouted after reclamation of the industrial island was completed, and are mainly dominated by non-native plants, according to JTC.

The infrastructure for the upcoming plant by PacificLight will be built on vegetated land on the emptier western side of the industrial island.

The trees on the PacificLight project site largely comprise exotic and invasive species like acacia and lead tree, ERM found. The consultants also found through their biodiversity studies two critically endangered plant species – including the sea rubber vine – on the plot.

The vine was transplanted out, as will be the case for other plants threatened with extinction found before construction, said the report.

Nature experts say they have not properly surveyed Jurong Island’s vegetated areas because of restrictions there.

But Mr Muhammad Nasry Abdul Nasir, executive director of the environmental group Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, noted that the trees would help to lower temperatures on the industrial island. There could also be more bird crashes with buildings replacing vegetation, he added.

ERM’s report had identified a few locally vulnerable and near threatened bird species such as the oriental magpie robin, changeable hawk eagle, golden-bellied gerygone and the rufous-tailed tailorbird.

In response to queries on measures that will be taken to protect wildlife in Jurong Island’s vegetated areas, JTC said inspections will be conducted with a trained ecologist to check for the presence of wildlife before plants are removed.

“If active bird nests are found, we will ensure that the nests will not be affected unless they are no longer occupied. Wildlife specialists will be engaged to translocate any wildlife found to be trapped within the site during construction,” it added.

Coastal Protection Bill passed into law

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 22:06:00 +0000

The new law affects about 100 landowners who occupy 30% of private land along the coast. Mostly shipyards and ports, and oil and gas and manufacturing companies, at Jurong Island and the industrial estates of Tuas, Pioneer and Senoko. Studies for the north-west stretches are expected to be done by 2026, while studies for Jurong Island and the south-west coast will be completed by 2030.

The law also gives PUB the powers to designate nature spots such as parks and beaches as areas that can be flooded temporarily, especially during extreme high tides and storm surge events. This ensures that nature spots will not be permanently walled up, and marine habitats like seagrass meadows, mangroves and intertidal zones can be preserved. For instance, the recommendation for Changi Beach Park was for a raised platform – such as a bund – to be built farther inland to ensure access to the beach. This means the beach will be left to flood temporarily during extreme weather events.

Landowners can get grant to defray cost of coastal defences, which are required under new law
This grant will cover the cost of flood risk studies, diversion of power and water lines, and the eventual construction of coastal protection measures.
Shabana Begum Straits Times Mar 06, 2026, 05:14 PM

SINGAPORE - All coastal landowners in Singapore will be eligible for a grant to help defray the costs of building shields to protect their assets from rising seas, as required under a new coastal protection law passed in Parliament on March 6.

This grant will cover the cost of flood risk studies, diversion of power and water lines, and the eventual construction of coastal protection measures, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said. She did not reveal the quantum of the grant.

Under the Coastal Protection and Other Amendments Bill, government agencies and private companies that occupy land along Singapore’s shorelines are required to implement measures to shield their coastal areas from rising seas, or face a fine and jail term.

The new law will likely apply to more than 100 coastal landowners.

The Government, which owns 70 per cent of coastal land, will be responsible for protecting the majority of the coastline segments.

The remaining 30 per cent of private land are non-residential and comprise mostly shipyards and ports, as well as businesses in the oil and gas and manufacturing sectors. Most are located on the south-west and northern coastline segments, including Jurong Island and the industrial estates of Tuas, Pioneer and Senoko.

Occupiers of coastal land will be given about 10 years’ notice to take coastal protection measures, which could include building seawalls, raising land or putting up deployable barriers at jetties.

The first tranche of notices is expected to be sent out to affected landowners from the early 2030s. Landowners can apply for the grant once they receive a second notification, about five years later.

Ms Fu said the funds disbursed will be sized according to benchmarks while considering prevailing market rates and inflation.

The total grant amount awarded to each agency or company will be split into tranches to help landowners with their planning and cash flow, said Ms Fu, adding that the grant details will be further developed and shared when ready.

Ms Fu added that the Government will also offer technical advice and consultations to landowners as they navigate their obligations under the new law.

She pointed out that training programmes on coastal protection are available to help raise the engineering sector’s competency to implement proper coastal protection measures for landowners.

One such training programme is the coastal protection masterclass run by the Singapore Water Association.

The grant and technical support came about after affected waterfront firms shared with the Government that they had not factored in the cost for additional coastal protection measures when the land was leased or purchased, said Ms Fu.

The Bill was passed following a two-hour debate, in which a total of eight MPs spoke.

Ms Poh Li San (Sembawang West) had asked about the potential for the continuous line of coastal defence around Singapore to be breached if landowners’ measures are not well coordinated.

A critical requirement under the new law is that landowners must ensure that one plot’s coastal protection measures are tightly connected to another’s, to ensure there is a continuous line of defence to keep out rising seas.

“Even if all (waterfront) companies or landowners have the best of intentions, they may have knowledge gaps and coordination failures,” added Ms Poh, who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Sustainability and the Environment.

Ms Fu said the law will grant and facilitate access to landowners if they need access to a neighbouring property to connect their flood shields and ensure they are watertight.

On the need for a law to allocate responsibility for coastal protection to specific landowners, Ms Fu noted that different landowners require customised coastal protection measures to suit their individual needs.

For example, a shipyard may choose to build a seawall along the perimeter of the dry dock while leaving the seaward entrance accessible.

“It would not be practical, nor desirable, for the Government to implement standard coastal protection measures for such a wide range of land uses, from ports, ship-building yards to petrochemical plants,” said Ms Fu.

Ms Nadia Samdin (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Ms Cassandra Lee (West Coast-Jurong West GRC) asked for greater clarity on how the development of a coastal measure would be affected if ownership of a seaside plot were to change during the 10-year period.

Ms Fu said outgoing landowners will need to submit relevant reports and blueprints of their coastal structures to national water agency PUB, which will then transfer the reports to new owners.

On accounting for coastal firms that may suddenly wind up before the 10-year period, as raised by Ms Lee Hui Ying (Nee Soon GRC), Ms Fu said PUB will use its enforcement powers to ensure the continuous line of defence is not compromised due to any firm’s exit.

For example, PUB has powers to step in and undertake maintenance and repair works and also recover the costs from the landowners, if needed.

The government grant could also be reimbursed to landowners in tranches, so that PUB can monitor the progress of coastal works.

Several MPs, including WP’s Mr Dennis Tan (Hougang) and Non-Constituency MP Andre Low, said they hoped for nature-based solutions to be incorporated in coastal protection measures. These could include the use of coral reefs and mangroves to weaken wave energy and prevent erosion.

“Where possible, the continuous line of defence can be set behind mangroves to minimise any impact to them,” said Ms Fu.

A soon-to-be-published code of practice to equip landowners with coastal solutions could also include hybrid solutions, which combine nature and hard structures, she added.

Private coastal landowners to receive grant, face new obligations after Coastal Protection Bill passed
Private firms – mainly shipyards, ports and industrial operators – must implement flood defences on their land as part of a nationwide coastal defence line.
Koh Wan Ting Channel NewsAsia 06 Mar 2026 05:59PM

SINGAPORE: Private landowners of coastal plots will face new obligations and receive capital grants to help them implement mandatory coastal protection measures after the Coastal Protection and Other Amendments Bill was passed in parliament on Friday (Mar 6).

The grants are designed to ease the upfront capital burden on landowners who will be legally required to install flood defences as part of an islandwide line of defence against rising sea levels, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said.

These landowners will also receive advice and consultation from national water agency PUB on how to carry out the required works.

The new law will require all coastal landowners - including government ministries, statutory boards and private firms - to implement coastal protection measures as part of a continuous line of defence.

About 70 per cent of Singapore’s coastline is government-owned and will largely be handled by the state. The remaining stretches are held by private companies, mostly shipyards, ports, and businesses in the oil, gas and manufacturing sectors.

The capital grants will cover studies, diversion of services and construction costs. Grants will be sized against cost norms that account for prevailing market rates and inflation, and paid in reimbursement tranches to help landowners manage cash flow. Landowners may apply for the grant only after a legal obligation has been formally imposed on them.

PUB will notify affected landowners of their obligations around 10 years before the expected completion date.

The Bill also gives PUB enforcement powers, including emergency powers of entry if the continuous defence line is incomplete due to delays, or if a landowner cannot be reached during an imminent coastal flood event.

Mean sea levels around Singapore are projected to rise by up to 1.15m by the end of this century. Combined with storm surges and high tides, water levels could spike by 5m instead.

“This is serious. It means that around 30 per cent of Singapore could be flooded by seawater. Our businesses along the coast, such as shipyards or ports that rely on having access to the sea, will be at risk of coastal flooding,” Ms Fu said.

CONCERNS IN PARLIAMENT

Eight MPs raised questions largely centred on the responsibilities that private landowners or lessees would have to bear.

MP Poh Li San (PAP-Sembawang West) pushed for a centralised approach to the design and construction of coastal protection measures to avoid points of weakness and allow the government to leverage economies of scale.

MP Lee Hui Ying (PAP-Nee Soon) echoed similar concerns, suggesting it might be more efficient for the government to build the entire defence line and then seek reimbursement from landowners.

In response, Ms Fu said landowners should be responsible for works on their own land.

“Having the government centrally implement solutions will be suboptimal, since it may not be feasible to account for every landowner's unique needs and timelines,” she said, adding that landowners were better placed to implement measures suited to their business operations.

MP Dennis Tan (WP-Hougang) asked for the type of private landowners that occupied coastlines, and whether they were non-business entities.

Ms Fu said the vast majority had leased industrial land from JTC, which PUB is working with to explore a centralised procurement model and other options to support lessees.

Mr Tan also asked if there were any industrial lessees that had short tenures remaining, which would affect their ability to carry out the coastal protection measures.

“If a waterfront company runs into financial problems or goes into liquidation and is not able to build or to complete the construction, may we also be left with a public safety risk that neighbors cannot fix alone. How will the government intervene in such a situation?” asked Mr Tan.

Ms Fu said that PUB will have the power to step in and undertake maintenance and repair works for companies that face short-term liquidity issues and are unable to maintain their coastal protection measures. PUB will then recover the cost as necessary from the landowners, she added.

MP Cassandra Lee (PAP-West Coast-Jurong West) raised concerns about long project lifecycles that may span multiple ownerships, asking how liability and repair costs would be allocated if defects emerge after a change of hands.

Ms Fu said the transfer of liability is no different from when a property changes ownership.

Previous landowners would have had to engage a qualified person to certify that the structure was up to standard before PUB approved it, she added.

Coastal area landowners, occupants must protect their properties against rising seas under new Bill
Shabana Begum Straits Times Feb 03, 2026, 01:46 PM

SINGAPORE – Those who own or rent land along Singapore’s shorelines will be compelled under a proposed law to implement measures to shield their coastal areas from rising seas, or face a fine and jail term.

The Coastal Protection Bill was tabled in Parliament on Feb 3.

Government agencies, private landowners and long-term lessees will be given 10 years’ notice to take coastal protection measures. These could include building and maintaining sea walls and barrages, or planting mangroves, to prevent coastal flooding.

For shipyards and fuel storage facilities that need access to the sea, deployable barriers or movable flood-defence systems could be potential solutions, as they can be installed just before bad weather hits.

The first tranche of notices is expected to be sent out to affected landowners from the early 2030s.

Under the Bill, coastal landowners will also need to appoint flood protection managers who will oversee the measures and carry out the flood response plan. These managers will be national water agency PUB’s main points of contact for each site, and will need to undergo training.

PUB and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said in a joint statement: “Coastal protection is a long-term endeavour, which requires years of planning and construction. The (Bill) is tabled now to give landowners and the industry sufficient notice and lead time to be familiar with the requirements.”

By 2100, Singapore’s mean sea level is projected to rise by up to 1.15m. In the event of high tides and extreme events like storm surges, sea levels could rise by 5m, leading to coastal flooding.

A continuous line of defence

PUB and MSE said the Government, which owns 70 per cent of coastal land, will be responsible for protecting the majority of the coastline segments.

The remaining segments are occupied by private landowners and lessees who will need to implement their own coastal protection measures.

These segments are non-residential and comprise mostly shipyards and ports, as well as businesses in the oil and gas and manufacturing sectors, said Ms Angela Koh, PUB’s deputy chief executive of flood resilience.

Most are located on the south-west and northern coastline segments, including Jurong Island and the industrial estates of Tuas, Pioneer and Senoko.

Tabling the Bill now will allow the affected groups to make more informed decisions, as they assess their long-term development or renewal plans, added Ms Koh.

A critical requirement under the proposed law is that landowners must ensure that one plot’s coastal protection measures are tightly connected to another’s, to ensure there is a continuous line of defence to keep out rising seas.

In the event that landowners need to enter to build on another owner’s land, the Bill will provide access and facilitate this.

Failure to ensure this connection, causing seawater to gush through an unprotected area, is an offence. Failure to put in place a coastal protection measure by the deadline or altering the structure without PUB’s approval could result in the highest penalty of two years’ jail and a $200,000 fine.
Code of practice

The authorities will publish a code of practice in mid-2026 to help equip landowners with knowledge about solutions against sea-level rise and standards to be met.

The code will provide common design standards and requirements to guide the industry on planning, designing and constructing various types of protection structures, PUB said previously. To maximise land use, it will also include best practices for the use of multifunctional solutions.

PUB has divided Singapore’s coastline into eight segments. Each has unique environmental or economic conditions that coastal protection measures must be tailored to. For instance, the Greater Southern Waterfront region will be protected by arm-like coastal barriers, instead of the raising of seawalls and construction of tidal gates which would affect the waterfront character of the area.

Since 2021, Singapore has progressively carried out site-specific studies to develop tailored coastal protection plans for different segments of the coastline.

The study for the south-eastern section – which runs from Pasir Panjang Ferry Terminal to Changi – was completed in 2025. Solutions recommended for this stretch include coastal barriers, raising shoreline slopes and constructing bunds on Changi Beach.

Studies for the north-west stretches are expected to be done by 2026, while studies for Jurong Island and the south-west coast, which includes Tuas, will be completed by 2030.

After each site-specific study is done, affected landowners and leaseholders will be informed of their responsibilities from the early 2030s. They will be given at least 10 years’ advance notice to plan and implement coastal protection measures, said PUB and MSE.

The water agency and the ministry noted that measures such as seawalls and revetments are not new to landowners, since these have been constructed at their sites to prevent coastal erosion.

When asked how much a coastal landowner has to set aside for coastal protection, PUB and MSE said they are unable to give a cost estimate. This is because costs would differ based on landowners’ specific operational needs, length of coastline and site conditions, they explained.

But they added that the Government will provide support in the form of financial assistance and technical advice for affected private landowners and leaseholders.

These could include, for instance, consultations on solutions and assistance to coordinate with neighbouring seaside plots to ensure a continuous line of defence.

More information on the financial assistance will be revealed when it is ready, PUB and MSE added. The authorities previously consulted potentially affected landowners and took their feedback into account.

Accommodating nature

The proposed law also gives PUB the powers to designate nature spots such as parks and beaches as areas that can be flooded temporarily, especially during extreme high tides and storm surge events.

This ensures that nature spots will not be permanently walled up, and marine habitats like seagrass meadows, mangroves and intertidal zones can be preserved.

For instance, the recommendation for Changi Beach Park was for a raised platform – such as a bund – to be built farther inland to ensure access to the beach. This means the beach will be left to flood temporarily during extreme weather events.

However, landowners need to prepare a flood response plan in the event of a park closure and conduct periodic drills. The plan may also include evacuation protocols and setting up warning signs.

The landowners must also prove that sheltered facilities like toilets, seaside eateries and sites for religious rituals will not be damaged by the coastal floods.

Infrastructure near the shore, including jetties, terminals, piers and nature boardwalks, must be protected from both permanent and temporary flooding.

However, owners can seek exemptions from PUB if they assess that the structures can withstand flooding.

Overall, the Bill will amend the Sewerage and Drainage Act and rename it as the Sewerage, Drainage and Coastal Protection Act. Parliament is expected to debate the proposed law in March.

Professor Adrian Law, executive director of the Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute Singapore, noted that the cost of coastal defences depends on how each landowner assesses the long-term redevelopment, renewal or investment plans for a site.

“The proposed law is well thought through towards achieving the key objective of a continuous line of defence. The landowners will be given at least 10 years’ advance (notice and) they can take advantage of this ample... notice to actively plan ahead and make things smoother,” he added.

Other intertidal surveys in Feb 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 01:25:00 +0000

Between the low spring tides, the intrepid Rui Quan Oh relentlessly checked out more shores! As usual, I learn a lot about crabs, and also the pretty insects and spiders of our mangroves. So glad to know cute fiddlers and awesome Blue-spotted mudskippers still abound on Pulau Ubin.

Collage of photos by Rui Quan Oh

Rui Quan checked out Sentosa, Coney Island, Admiralty Park. And also Ubin together with Zen Xuan He. Thanks also to Dr Clarence Sim for inviting Rui Quan to help in his intertidal work at Pulau Semakau.

Rui Quan Oh checked out Sentosa Tg. Rimau on 31 Jan

Rui Quan Oh helped researchers to Semakau West on 3 Feb and got some quick glimpses of the shore.

Rui Quan Oh checked out Coney Island on 16 Feb

Rui Quan Oh checked out Admiralty Park on 20 Feb

Rui Quan Oh checked out Pulau Ubin mangroves on 22 Feb

Zen Xuan He was also at Ubin with Rui Quan

New marine science research centre of excellence to be established

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:25:00 +0000

A new marine science research centre of excellence will be established to conduct a $60 million research programme. More details will be released later this year.

From NParks Facebook post about the new centre

Key Area 1 of the centre is "Biodiversity and Nature". The centre will focus on foundational research on species, species functions and interactions, to inform conservation, management and policy. Forming the basis for further and more complex research, which will in turn allow the development of solutions to emerging challenges in the longer-term.

Establishment of new marine science research centre of excellence
Ministry of National Development, Parliamentary Speeches Mar 4, 2026

The National Parks Board (NParks), in partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS) as the Host Institution (HI), will establish a new marine science research centre of excellence under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 Plan (RIE2030). Further details regarding the $60 million research programme conducted at the centre will be released later this year.

Singapore's marine environment supports diverse coastal and marine habitats that provide essential ecological services including coastal protection, fisheries support, and carbon sequestration, forming an integral part of the nation's natural heritage. However, as a small island nation, Singapore faces escalating pressures from intensifying human activities, climate change, and resource requirements. Better understanding of these dynamics and developing appropriate management responses will support sustainable growth within our marine environment. An integrated research approach for interdisciplinary topics and sustained commitment to deepen and retain local capabilities in this field will be needed to effectively manage our marine ecosystems, which we will achieve through a newly established a marine science research centre of excellence.

The centre will consolidate capabilities to better leverage expertise across research institutes, universities and the industry to sustain research momentum to accelerate the growth of the marine science ecosystem. To ensure that Singapore has local capabilities with familiarity of the specialised local marine science context and environment, the centre will develop a robust pipeline of local talent that can help build capabilities across academia, industry, and government. The centre would also serve as a conduit for regional collaboration, facilitating data sharing and comparative assessments of marine health across Southeast Asia, and collective understanding of our connected waters.

The Centre will consolidate and build on existing efforts under the Marine Climate Change Science Research Programme and its predecessor, Marine Science Research & Development Programme. The centre aims to develop targeted and effective management and conservation strategies that enable marine ecosystems to withstand multiple stressors while continuing to provide essential ecosystem services. It will also deliver inter- and transdisciplinary solutions to support economic productivity with ecological resilience, ensuring that our marine and coastal resources can scale and sustain our blue economy without overexploitation or degradation.

Research efforts under the new marine science research centre of excellence will focus on three key areas, supported by technology:

• Key Area 1: Biodiversity and Nature: The centre will focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of our marine environment. It will comprise foundational research that aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of species, species functions and interactions, to inform conservation, management and policy. This research will form the basis for further and more complex research, which will in turn allow the development of solutions to emerging challenges in the longer-term.

• Key Area 2: Environment and Climate: Research to understand climate change and other anthropogenic stressors will be instrumental in developing evidence-backed approach towards development to support sustainable stewardship of Singapore's marine environment, including the curation of risk management plans for specific anthropogenic stressors that enable informed decision-making for sea space management.

• Key Area 3: Ecosystem Resilience: The centre will explore how resilience can be built on an ecosystem level to withstand future challenges, and spearhead the development of novel conservation and management strategies. While taxa-specific restoration techniques have been researched and implemented over the years for individual habitats such as coral reefs and mangroves, there is a critical need to expand this approach to include whole-of-ecosystem restoration strategies that consider future resilience against the compounding threats of temperature rise, sea level rise, and coastal development. By developing predictive models for ecosystem tipping points and creating adaptive management frameworks, this work will ensure that marine environments can withstand multiple stressors while continuing to deliver essential ecosystem services.

• Harnessing Technology: The centre will leverage cutting-edge technology that allows for more affordable and efficient data gathering and analysis through innovative monitoring, sensing and assessment systems tailored to Singapore's unique marine environment, supporting objectives in the three key areas. The enhanced monitoring systems will enable better-informed decision-making (e.g., in management of our sea-space, conservation and coastal protection, etc.) and efficient mitigation of environmental impacts.

Singapore to set up $60m marine research centre to steer conservation and policy
Ang Qing Straits Times Apr 20, 2026, 05:00 AM

SINGAPORE – Marine science research that informs policy decisions will get a boost with a new $60 million programme at the research centre of excellence to be established by the National Parks Board (NParks) and the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Scientists from local institutions told The Straits Times in April that the centre will enable a coordinated, science-based approach to manage Singapore’s marine and coastal resources amid escalating environmental pressures from development, climate change and biodiversity loss.

Singapore’s sea level is projected to rise by up to 1.15m by 2100, prompting efforts to shore up coastal defences through land reclamation and other means.

The research centre, announced during the 2026 Budget debate, will be hosted by NUS. More details will be released later in 2026.

NParks’ National Biodiversity Centre group director Karenne Tun said the centre will bring together universities, industry players, government agencies and policy institutions.

Dr Tun, a coral reef biologist, said: “It will provide a unified strategic vision across key stakeholders, including existing marine science research institutes, to drive marine science research.

“This includes encouraging the formation of cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams that leverage the strengths of different institutions.”

Taking guidance from a 2024 report on Singapore’s marine science and oceanography research landscape, the centre intends to develop a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity to inform conservation, management and policy, added Dr Tun.

Beyond Singapore’s shores, the centre is set to have an increased focus on regional collaboration with overseas research institutes, to facilitate comparative assessments of marine health across South-east Asia and a collective understanding of the region’s connected waters.

The $60 million committed to its research programme, supported by the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 plan, is more than double the funds given to earlier marine science research programmes, which were allocated $25 million each.

NUS’ St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory facility director Jani Tanzil said she hopes the new centre of excellence will have more longevity than the previous five-year marine science programmes.

“I believe we have now built critical mass in Singapore for world-class marine science expertise and capabilities, but to really see that return of investment there must also be a good, continued platform for growth,” she added.

The centre comes at a time when national plans are demanding more of Singapore’s limited marine and coastal assets, noted Dr Tanzil, who co-authored the 2024 report that had recommended a nationally coordinated research programme to inform the increasing uses of the Republic’s sea spaces.

This includes the upcoming reclamation for the Greater Southern Waterfront and Long Island, as well as the Singapore Aquaculture Plan to overhaul Singapore’s flagging seafood farming industry.

The report noted that the failure to understand the marine environment adequately can compromise Singapore’s ability to extract economic value from its sea space.

It cited the exit of Barramundi Group from Singapore’s aquaculture space due to fish disease, as well as other ecological and economic reasons. The situation could have been avoided with targeted environmental studies prior to the company’s expansion, the report said.

Said Dr Tanzil: “To balance potentially conflicting sea space use, cater to evolving social needs and capitalise on any emerging opportunities in the blue economy, we will need proactive planning and integrated management that is guided by the best available science and data relevant to Singapore’s context.”

Professor Koh Lian Pin, vice-president for sustainability and resilience at NUS, who led the 2024 report, hailed the research programme as a “significant commitment by the Singapore Government”.

The centre will deliver solutions to support economic productivity, ecological resilience and climate adaptation in the marine and coastal realms, he added.

He said St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory will continue serving as national infrastructure for marine-related research activities by research institutes, universities and industry in Singapore, including the new centre.

Economist Seck Tan, who also contributed to the 2024 report, said national coordination will be key as marine science research calls for solutions that balance economic productivity and ecological resilience.

A unified strategy ensures that marine and coastal resources continue to support a sustainable blue economy without overexploitation or degradation, added the Singapore Institute of Technology associate professor in the business, communication and design cluster.

Associate Professor Rebecca Case from Nanyang Technological University’s School of Biological Sciences said she hopes that the centre of excellence will encompass the important role that microbes play in the ecosystem.

“While they are unseen, they perform many ecosystem services, degrading pollutants such as petroleum, creating the air we breathe and interacting with plants and animals to make them healthy and resilient,” said Prof Case, who studies the interactions between marine algae and bacteria.

“They can also cause disease, which is important in both our natural ecosystems and industries such as aquaculture.”

Marine sciences are central to Singapore, which is surrounded by the ocean, with shipping as one of its major industries, she noted.

“We have the highest diversity per area in the world; we have monsoons rather than seasons, and our equatorial location uniquely places us to understand how our marine ecosystems continue to contribute to our economy.

“What is their value, both to our quality of life and economy? And how do we find solutions and innovation from nature?”

To sustain marine science research in Singapore, the centre will also develop a pipeline of local talent that can build capabilities across academia, industry and government.

Said Dr Tun: “This talent pool will then be able to be tapped for technical assessments by agencies and the industry, and in guiding the formulation of science and evidence-based policy and management strategies.”

$70million top up to Fund supporting local fish farms

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:12:00 +0000

A $70 million boost from April to the existing Agri-food Cluster Transformation (ACT) Fund aims to co-fund solutions that support multiple farms, such as integrated delivery systems. The national breeding programme will be expanded to include red snappers, and the supply of whiteleg shrimp larvae and grouper fingerlings will be increased. Recognising that commercial viability depends on sustained demand, SFA is also working to increase offtake of locally farmed produce.

Barramundi Asia fish farm off Pulau Semakau
lies derelict, Nov 2024

Singapore will also be upgrading its model to predict harmful algal blooms, which risk devastating harvests of aquaculture farms when sea surface temperatures rise. The new model will integrate forecasted weather conditions for more accurate environmental predictions, alerting farms ahead of anticipated events to implement measures that limit their losses.

Local farms to get better supply of baby fish and shrimp; new $70 million top-up to agri fund: Zaqy
Ang Qing Straits Times 04, 2026, 10:56 AM

SINGAPORE – Local farms will get more support to raise productivity, adopt technology, and gain access to high-quality livestock under new initiatives announced by the Ministry for Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) on March 4.

These include a $70 million boost from April to the existing Agri-food Clu ster Transformation (ACT) Fund, which supports farms in adopting new technology, while expanding its scope to help farms forge partnerships that can benefit the industry, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Zaqy Mohamad told Parliament during the debate on his ministry’s budget.

The new funding component was introduced in response to industry feedback, he said. It aims to co-fund strategic partnerships between farms and “ecosystem players” on the development and deployment of solutions that can support multiple farms.

An example of this would be integrated delivery systems that reduce transportation costs and improve the freshness of products.

The Government will also include red snapper in a national breeding programme established in 2024 to supply local farms with high-quality baby fish, to improve the profitability of farms, Mr Zaqy added.

Currently, the programme breeds Asian sea bass and marine tilapia.

“These premium fingerlings grow faster, they survive better, and they convert feed more efficiently, and that means farms reach market quicker with lower feed costs and fewer losses,” he said, adding that farms would be able to rely less on imported sources with less consistent quality and lower survival rates due to the long transport stress.

Mr Zaqy was laying out the various initiatives that his ministry plans to roll out to boost the flagging farming sector in Singapore.

He outlined Singapore’s vulnerability to external shocks and supply chain disruptions as a country heavily reliant on imports.

“We must stay prepared for rising geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions which could disrupt our food supply. The latest chain of events in the Middle East only underscores this global climate of uncertainty,” he said.

On local production, Mr Zaqy said the Government had learnt from its experience in developing an initial national target to produce within Singapore 30 per cent of the country’s nutritional needs by 2030.

In 2024, the country produced 3 per cent of its vegetables and 6 per cent of its seafood, figures that have declined over the past four years. Meanwhile, the Republic has found more success with eggs, with local production steadily rising to 34.4 per cent that year.

This “30 by 30” goal was dropped in November 2025. It followed a spate of farm closures due to factors such as high capital and energy costs, supply chain breakdowns and weakened investor confidence.

Mr Zaqy was responding to Ms Poh Li San (Sembawang West), who had asked which policy assumptions had failed to cause the ministry to drop its targets. The chair of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Sustainability and the Environment also asked what lessons have been learnt from the failure of businesses in large-scale urban farms and plant proteins.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), which is under the MSE, had rolled out new targets. They include producing 20 per cent of the country’s consumption of fibre, a category that comprises leafy and fruited vegetables, bean sprouts and mushrooms.

Addressing questions from Ms Poh and Mr Ng Shi Xuan (Sembawang GRC) about Singapore’s failed farms and ventures in the alternative protein industry, Mr Zaqy said it will take time for the local farms to develop viable technologies and business models as most of the industry is still in an early phase of growth.

Mr Zaqy said Singapore’s refreshed local production targets focus on fibre and protein types that are feasible to be efficiently produced at scale in Singapore.

“We also have to be realistic about economics,” he said. “Our local farms will always face higher land and production costs compared to farms from the region. Unfortunately, that’s simply our reality.”
Technology adoption

On support for local farms, Mr Zaqy, who was addressing questions from Ms Lee Hui Ying (Nee Soon GRC) and Mr Cai Yinzhou (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC), said the next tranche of co-funding support under the ACT Fund will be disbursed over five years.

SFA will also support technology demonstration projects that improve the productivity and consistency of output at aquaculture farms.

The ministry and SFA said in a joint statement that some technologies that perform well overseas may not be suitable to Singapore’s small-scale, tropical marine aquaculture farming environment.

They said: “Through these demonstration projects, SFA will work with farms and technology providers to test these solutions in real operating conditions, so that their technical performance and operational suitability can be assessed before farms commit significant investment.”

An SFA spokesperson said the industry will be engaged to identify possible technologies, with vaccination machines being a possible focus. SFA will then support these farms to adopt technologies that have been demonstrated successfully through the fund.

A ministry spokesperson said the agency will focus on supporting capital expenditure, instead of operating costs, to ensure that funding is as sustainable as possible.

Under the first tranche of the ACT Fund, $55 million was awarded to nearly 150 projects, enabling the installation of technologies like automated irrigation systems to reduce manual labour and climate-controlled environments that ensure year-round production.

More information about the application process for the second tranche of funding will be provided soon, said the ministry and SFA.

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin (Ang Mo Kio GRC) asked for details of unsuccessful projects that had received the first tranche of funding.

In response, Mr Zaqy revealed that 60 companies had received the first tranche of funding. The number that folded is “very small”, amounting to about two out of 60, or a failure rate of about 3 per cent, he said.

Higher-quality resources

Aquaculture farms will also get better agricultural resources, said Mr Zaqy.

Other than including red snapper in the national breeding programme, the Government will also work towards industry-led efforts to increase the supply of young whiteleg shrimp and grouper.

These breeding efforts will be complemented with an integrated hatchery support programme, which will help local hatcheries adopt specialised feeds and quality vaccines that maximise the growth potential of high-quality seafood.

Mr Zaqy said: “High-quality eggs and fingerlings set the foundation, but health and nutrition inputs determine whether farms achieve optimal growth and disease resistance.”

Together, these initiatives to improve agricultural resources will help improve the quality of baby fish, raise yields and sharpen competitiveness, he added.

Singapore will also be upgrading its model to predict harmful algal blooms, which risk devastating harvests of aquaculture farms when sea surface temperatures rise.

One of the most deadly algal blooms in Singapore occurred in 2015 in the Strait of Johor, causing 77 coastal farms to lose millions of dollars. One farmer put his losses at $1.3 million.

While not all algae are harmful, the overgrowth of some can suffocate fish, or damage their gills.

The new model will integrate forecasted weather conditions for more accurate environmental predictions, alerting farms ahead of anticipated events to implement measures that limit their losses, said Mr Zaqy.

Another early warning system has already provided greater lead time for action, according to Mr Zaqy.

He shared that a new risk monitoring dashboard and food supply visibility tool expedited Singapore’s risk assessments during Brazil’s avian influenza outbreaks in May 2025, and the recent conflict in the Middle East.

Mr Zaqy said that while the Republic’s original “30 by 30” local production target had “successfully catalysed local production growth”, focusing mainly on one pillar – grow local – left the country vulnerable to the very disruptions it sought to address.

“A single-pillar approach, no matter how ambitious, cannot provide the food supply resilience that Singapore needs,” he added.

Nevertheless, growing a local food supply will remain an important pillar for Singapore’s food security.

“Local farms can provide us with a regenerative source of fresh food that is maintained even during prolonged disruptions,” said Mr Zaqy.

“More of our farms are moving towards controlled environments which makes them more climate-resilient and land-efficient.”

Singapore’s food supply is expected to be threatened by more frequent disruptions and shortages due to the intensifying effects of climate change, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.

“We will continue to innovate and take collective action to ensure Singapore’s basic needs are met, even in times of disruption,” she added.

Singapore to inject S$70 million over five years to boost local farm output
New measures include an expanded national breeding programme and fresh hatchery support for the aquaculture sector.
Koh Wan Ting Channel NewsAsia 04 Mar 2026 10:52AM (Updated: 04 Mar 2026 11:53AM)

SINGAPORE: Singapore will inject S$70 million (US$55 million) over the next five years to help local farms expand production capacity and build capabilities, as the country steps up efforts to strengthen food resilience amid growing global uncertainties.

The new funding tranche under the Agri-Food Cluster Transformation (ACT) Fund was announced by Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Zaqy Mohamad on Wednesday (Mar 4), as he laid out his ministry's spending plans this year.

Introduced in April 2021, the ACT Fund helps local farmers upgrade their operations, such as purchasing equipment and adopting technologies that improve productivity. With the extension, the scheme will be renamed ACT Fund 2.

The measure is part of the Singapore Food Story 2 strategy, unveiled in November last year, which aims to bolster food resilience through four pillars: diversifying imports, growing local, stockpiling and forging global partnerships.

Singapore currently imports more than 90 per cent of its food. That heavy reliance leaves the country exposed to supply chain disruptions caused by climate change, disease outbreaks and geopolitical tensions – making stronger local production a priority.

“We have learnt many lessons from our 30 by 30 initiative. While it had successfully catalysed local production growth, mainly focusing on one pillar – grow local – left us vulnerable to the very disruptions that we sought to address,” Mr Zaqy said.

“A single-pillar approach, no matter how ambitious, cannot provide the food supply resilience that Singapore needs.”

However, growing local produce remains an important pillar of our food resilience strategy, he added.

“Local farms can provide us with a regenerative source of food, of fresh food in fact, that is maintained even during prolonged disruptions. More of our farms are moving towards controlled environments which makes them more climate-resilient and land-efficient.”

Under new local production targets, Singapore will focus on fibre and protein types that are feasible to be produced at scale efficiently.

S$70 MILLION IN CO-FUNDING

Administered by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA), ACT Fund 2 provides co-funding support for farms to adopt advanced technologies, improve productivity and enhance climate resilience. It is Singapore's largest industry scheme for supporting local agriculture capabilities to date, Mr Zaqy said.

The first tranche of the ACT Fund was launched in 2021, with S$55 million awarded to 150 projects across 60 firms.

In response to a follow-up question by MP Nadia Ahmad Samdin, who asked for details of unsuccessful projects that had received funding, Mr Zaqy said that about two of the 60 companies had folded, representing a 3 per cent failure rate.

SFA has refined the scheme over the years based on industry feedback, expanding coverage to include marketing and branding expenses, as well as standalone pre- and post-harvest production facilities.

A new funding component - the Industry Partnerships for Capability Transformation Grant - will also be introduced. It is designed to support collaborations between farms and industry partners to develop shared, sector-wide solutions.

"This new funding component is introduced in response to feedback from the industry on the need for collaborative approaches to tackle common challenges, such as limited economies of scale and supply chain inefficiencies," SFA said in a joint factsheet with the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.

Farmers can apply for support over a five-year period starting from April 2026. Further details on the application process will be released later.

SUPPORT FOR AQUACULTURE

Beyond direct co-funding, SFA will step up support for technology adoption in aquaculture through demonstration projects.

These projects aim to test overseas farming technologies in real operating conditions similar to Singapore's small-scale, tropical marine environment before farms commit significant investments. Solutions that prove viable will be supported under ACT Fund 2.

The national breeding programme will be expanded to include red snappers, and the supply of whiteleg shrimp larvae and grouper fingerlings will be increased through industry collaboration.

SFA will also facilitate partnerships between local hatcheries and overseas breeders to bring in selected parent stock, breed them locally and supply farms with reliable post-larvae and fingerlings.

BOOSTING DEMAND FOR LOCAL PRODUCE

Recognising that commercial viability depends on sustained demand, SFA is also working to increase offtake of locally farmed produce.

The Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation (SAFEF), which connects farmers, traders and food processing companies through commercial contracts, will expand its product selection under brands such as SG Farmers' Market to include more vegetable varieties and manufactured goods such as sauces and canned items.

It will also introduce new ready-to-eat marine tilapia products under The Straits Fish brand in collaboration with TheSeafoodCompany, and partner more food and beverage players to feature SG Farmers' Market products on their menus.

Meanwhile, the Farm-to-Table Recognition Programme – which recognises food operators that source at least 15 per cent of their produce from local farms in selected food categories – continues to grow. As of December 2025, 119 food businesses have joined the programme.

Western Catchment coastal protection announced

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:39:00 +0000

Conceptual studies for the northwest coast stretching from Tuas to Lim Chu Kang have been completed. Recommended measures include replacing tidal gates and raising dykes to protect four coastal reservoirs – Tengeh, Poyan, Murai and Sarimbun – which are critical freshwater sources for Singapore.

National water agency PUB said in a joint press release with the ministry that the elevated dykes will double as maintenance roadways and incorporate design features to preserve ecological connectivity with the sea. Construction of the measures for the north-west coastline is targeted to start from the mid-2030s.

The government will hold focus group discussions and a public exhibition this year to gather feedback on the National Adaptation Plan. To support ground-up initiatives, the SG Eco Fund will broaden its funding scope to include climate adaptation projects.

Extract from From heatwaves to rising seas: Singapore lays out climate adaptation plan
Singapore's first National Adaptation Plan signals how the country is preparing for a warming world.
Koh Wan Ting Channel NewsAsia 03 Mar 2026 08:18PM

SINGAPORE: Singapore has laid out its inaugural National Adaptation Plan, addressing heat resilience, flood protection, coastal defence, and water and food security.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, who designated 2026 the Year of Climate Adaptation, outlined the key pillars of the strategy – to be published as a formal plan next year – while presenting her ministry's budget in parliament on Tuesday (Mar 3).

COASTAL RESILIENCE

"To protect our coastlines from rising seas, we will build a continuous line of defence around Singapore," Ms Fu said.

Singapore's mean sea level is projected to rise by up to 1.15m by the end of the century, while extreme weather events such as high tides and storm surges could push sea levels up by as much as 5m. Around 30 per cent of Singapore's land sits less than 5m above mean sea level.

Conceptual studies for the northwest coast stretching from Tuas to Lim Chu Kang have been completed. Recommended measures include replacing tidal gates and raising dykes to protect four coastal reservoirs – Tengeh, Poyan, Murai and Sarimbun – which are critical freshwater sources for Singapore.

National water agency PUB said in a joint press release with the ministry that the elevated dykes will double as maintenance roadways and incorporate design features to preserve ecological connectivity with the sea.

For other stretches of coastline, the continuous line of defence will draw on existing high ground, integrate coastal protection into future developments, and replace tidal gates at reservoir dykes, PUB added.

Detailed engineering designs for the recommended measures are being developed, with construction targeted to begin from the mid-2030s, subject to further studies. A separate study covering a 15km stretch of the northwest coast from Lim Chu Kang to Woodlands is on track to be completed this year.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

The government will hold focus group discussions and a public exhibition this year to gather feedback on the National Adaptation Plan, Ms Fu said.

To support ground-up initiatives, the SG Eco Fund will broaden its funding scope to include climate adaptation projects.

Extract from S’pore sets up heat resilience office, invests $40m in heat research as part of new adaptation efforts
Shabana Begum Straits Times Mar 03, 2026, 08:19 PM

SINGAPORE – Protecting Singapore from climate impacts will be a major focus for the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) in 2026, with a suite of new initiatives to address threats ranging from unbearable heat to rising seas.

These initiatives include girding coastlines against rising sea levels and strengthening Singapore’s food security, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said on March 3.

Ms Fu said MSE will be designating 2026 as the Year of Climate Adaptation, and outlined the various initiatives that will be implemented on this front.

“It involves a comprehensive review of our adaptation measures across key domains such as heat resilience, coastal and flood resilience, and water and food resilience,” she said.

These measures will be formalised in Singapore’s inaugural national adaptation plan – a report that the country aims to publish in 2027. Countries party to the Paris Agreement are obliged to submit these plans to the UN.

Shielding coastlines

In her speech, Ms Fu gave the House updates on Singapore’s coastal protection measures.

She said coastal protection studies for the north-western stretch of coastline between Tuas Checkpoint and Lim Chu Kang, where four reservoirs are located, have been completed.

The studies recommended replacing tidal gates and raising existing dykes at the reservoirs to prevent seawater from seeping into them, she said.

The elevated dykes will double as roadways for maintenance, and incorporate features to maintain ecological connectivity to the sea, national water agency PUB and MSE said in a separate statement.

Some of the northern section of the 24km coastline is already on higher ground, while the remaining areas can incorporate coastal protection measures in future developments, they said.

Construction of the measures for the north-west coastline is targeted to start from the mid-2030s.

Ms Fu added that Parliament will soon debate a proposed coastal protection law, which requires private landowners to implement measures to shield their coastal areas from rising seas or face penalties.

“As we reshape our coastlines for the future, we will work hand in hand with stakeholders to co-create solutions that not only protect our shores and preserve the spaces and features we value most, but also provide opportunities to create new spaces.”

Ms Poh Li San (Sembawang West) – who chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Sustainability and the Environment – asked how MSE intends to engage the public on long-term adaptation measures and build climate literacy within the community.

Ms Fu said: “As climate change affects everyone, it is important for all Singaporeans to have the opportunity to shape our national adaptation plan.”

Before the measures are finalised, the authorities will engage the public through group discussions, and also hold an exhibition, she said.

“These engagements cover why climate adaptation is important to all of us, and why we need to prepare now,” she said. “We hope people can share their experiences dealing with the impacts of climate change, and their ideas on how they can also play a part in Singapore’s adaptation efforts.”

Sentosa beach rejuvenation and strengthened coastal protection

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 22:25:00 +0000

Sentosa’s beaches will undergo rejuvenation works, including strengthened coastal protection measures. More details about the Greater Sentosa Master Plan will be shared later in 2026.

First phase of Greater Sentosa upgrade to begin; Orchard Road refresh ongoing: Alvin Tan
Rosalind Ang Straits Times Mar 02, 2026, 03:36 PM

SINGAPORE - Sentosa’s infrastructure will be upgraded with a new transport hub to link the island and Pulau Brani in Keppel Harbour, which will be collectively known as Greater Sentosa.

These upgrades are part of the first phase of the Greater Sentosa Master Plan, which was announced by Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan on March 2. He was speaking during the debate on the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s budget.

“We also plan to replace the Sentosa Express to improve connectivity,” said Mr Tan.

The Sentosa Express is a 2.1km, four-station monorail connecting VivoCity in HarbourFront to Sentosa.

When complete, Greater Sentosa will also house lifestyle and hospitality developments, he said.

Sentosa’s beaches will undergo rejuvenation works, including strengthened coastal protection measures to both enhance visitor experience and guard against rising sea levels.

New iconic landmarks will also be created.

One example is the Imbiah Canopy, which will become a beacon atop Mount Imbiah that leads visitors to heritage buildings and nature trails.

More details about the Greater Sentosa Master Plan will be shared later in 2026.

As nature awareness grows, Singapore can rethink its approach to developing green spaces

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:13:00 +0000

Highlighting the rise of youth-led nature groups: LepakInSG, Earthlink NTU and Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity. And the need to push for better engagement on terrestrial developments, raising PUB's community engagement on Long Island and other projects as a good example.

And how the Singapore Terrestrial Conservation Plan provides a framework so that "Singapore can truly live up to its ethos as a City in Nature, one where forested land is not just land to be developed, but a heritage to be stewarded."

As nature awareness grows, Singapore can rethink its approach to developing green spaces
Ang Qing Straits Times Feb 23, 2026, 07:30 PM

SINGAPORE - Accustomed to the lush expanse of forest along Sungei Serangoon, some Hougang residents were taken aback in late 2025 to find machines carving out a bus depot in the heart of the woodland.

They said they were not aware of the impending development in the area and questioned why an environmental study was not required prior to its clearance.

In response, the authorities said the site was not a sensitive nature area and did not warrant such a study as the environmental impact would be limited. Still, some residents started a campaign to save the plot of land, dubbed Serangoon River forest.

Such outcries have been increasing in frequency. Other instances involved planned clearances in Woodlands and Jurong.

These vegetated plots, located outside protected areas, are to be felled to meet the country’s development needs, from industrial spaces that tap the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link to the expansion of Jurong Innovation District.

In tandem, the country is also promoting its vision of a “City in Nature” – which aims to conserve and restore nature in the urban environment. This has struck a discordant note with the public.

Striking a balance between development and conservation is a perennial debate in Singapore, and the authorities have navigated this by commissioning environmental impact studies to blunt the impact of development on the Republic’s flora and fauna.

Agencies also engage with members of the nature community to seek their feedback on upcoming developments. These typically involve nature groups, consultants and scientists from local research institutions.

But there is a rising tide of public concern over the environment from more than just this community, as the Serangoon River forest case has shown.

The city state’s most mature forests, freshwater swamp forest habitats and mangroves account for less than 2 per cent of its territory, according to 2018 data.

Appreciation for the forest in Singapore, however, extends beyond these habitats. Outcry online over plans to develop other areas such as the Dover and Clementi forests shows that any dense patch of trees is valued.

With more beloved wild spaces like Tagore forest and Alexandra forest earmarked for development under the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) Master Plan, such calls for conservation are set to continue.

Meaningful community engagement to steward Singapore’s wild spaces would go a long way towards helping citizens understand if, and why, their beloved green spots might disappear. At the same time, clearer standards on when environmental studies are needed could help people to understand why one green area is deemed more important than another.
Rising eco-literacy

More is already being done to make such decisions more transparent. In 2025, a record 16 environmental studies were made public, the highest since 2020, when the Government said it would publish almost all of such reports online.

Previously, such studies, which usually span hundreds of pages, were available for viewing only in person, by appointment only, and during office hours. These reports describe the environmental impacts predicted for a project and recommend ways to mitigate these effects.

This transparency has birthed a more eco-literate public. Armed with the technical context, concerned citizens have leveraged social media to translate the jargon in these reports into accessible explainers.

Three youth-led nature groups – LepakInSG, Earthlink NTU and Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity – recently raised concerns over the planned expansion of Jurong Innovation District near Nanyang Technological University through an infographic.

The development would result in the clearance of up to 52ha of forested land and streams – an area larger than Thomson Nature Park. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) had proposed the retention of about 14.5ha of the natural areas.

But the groups called for greater emphasis on ensuring wide and connected habitats remain for wildlife, as the project cuts into one of four key ecological corridors identified in a 2021 national mapping exercise.

Mr Ho Xiang Tian, co-founder of LepakInSG, noted that the report did not appear to have plans to help retain the existing link that animals use to travel from the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR), via Tengah forest, to the Western Catchment forest.

Wildlife – especially those that depend on the forest – rely on linked green spaces to travel across biodiversity hot spots in search of food and mates, thus ensuring the healthy exchange of genes.

“The pathway from CCNR to the Western Catchment is already greatly affected by the development in Tengah, so (the expansion) makes it even harder for wildlife connectivity to continue from CCNR to Western Catchment,” said Mr Ho.

Moreover, more people are also becoming aware of the benefits that nature provides – from the cooling ability of a humble tree to an appreciation of green spaces as places of rest and relaxation.

A recent national survey of people aged 18 and above found that most Singapore residents acknowledge and appreciate the benefits they receive from nature, with the cooling properties of green spaces emerging as the most valued service.

More than six in 10 of those interviewed viewed the role of nature in supporting biodiversity as very or extremely important, according to the report published in September 2025.

The study, a collaboration between local and foreign research institutions and the National Parks Board, also concluded that Singapore’s unmanaged natural areas – which were superior in reducing air temperatures and harboured rich biodiversity – were the most valuable natural assets.
Meaningful dialogue

So how can we better balance the scales of development and conservation?

First, there needs to be forums for citizens to raise their feedback about the development of forests.

Currently, forested land can be developed without consulting the public, if internal government assessments deem that they are not near sensitive nature areas, as was the case with the bus depot in Serangoon River forest. This creates undesirable surprises for the ordinary citizen unfamiliar with the URA Master Plan.

Even when studies are conducted, the mode of engagement remains at the discretion of the authorities. Typically, this involves consulting a select group from the nature community before releasing the reports on the URA website with a month-long window for feedback. While the current approach affords more time for the public to comprehend and respond to development projects, its meaning can be lost on the untrained reader, as these reports are often highly technical.

To ensure that the public is meaningfully engaged, the Government can ensure that environmental studies are clear and accessible for the layman.

This has been done before. In December 2025, national water agency PUB released a non-technical summary of a report about the impact of a floating solar farm at Lower Seletar Reservoir. It was the only one of the five reports released in December that provided such a summary. This ensures that untrained people can have a clearer grasp of what these reports mean.

The recent consultation for the upcoming Long Island reclamation project – which involved in-person dialogue with diverse stakeholders – also offers a good model for reconciling conflicting interests.

As highlighted by legal academics Joseph Chun and Lye Lin Heng, a participatory process will strengthen the quality of and public support for the eventual outcome, as affected parties see that their perspectives are considered by decision-makers.
Clearer standards

There is also scope for greater clarity over how decisions regarding the fate of Singapore’s shrinking forests are made, given their value in the hearts and minds of citizens.

According to research published by US law professor Yang Tseming in 2018, EIAs were legally mandated in at least 183 jurisdictions, including China, India and Brazil. Singapore was among six states identified as not having such a requirement.

While a framework to determine and mitigate the impact of new developments on the environment was introduced in 2020, it is still largely up to the Government to decide when an impact study is needed.

In 2024, nearly 40 scientists and conservationists published a ground-up conservation proposal named the Singapore Terrestrial Conservation Plan, which renewed the call for legislation that clearly outlines, among other things, when and how environmental studies are conducted.

Such a framework could have helped clarify why parts of Serangoon River forest needed to be removed.

A clearer framework will also take into consideration the unique ecology of Singapore’s nature spaces. Of the country’s remaining forests, many have sprung up on land zoned for development. Their relative youth, compared with centuries-old rainforests, does not make them less ecologically significant.

Tagore forest in Lentor, a site zoned for housing, is a prime example. It is a significant habitat for the globally critically endangered Raffles’ banded langur.

The Singapore Terrestrial Conservation Plan has urged the authorities to conduct a national review of forested spaces currently zoned for development, and offer clear legal protection for nature areas deemed significant.

By setting clearer legal standards and ensuring the layman has a seat at the table, Singapore can truly live up to its ethos as a City in Nature, one where forested land is not just land to be developed, but a heritage to be stewarded.

Protected sharks, rays allegedly sold as seafood without permits in Singapore’s markets

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:56:00 +0000

Blacktip reef sharks – a protected species that cannot be sold without a permit – have turned up at some wet markets in Singapore, according to photos provided by CNA’s sources.

NParks said it has dealt with seven cases of illegal shark and ray imports without permits between 2020 and 2025. Depending on each case, warning letters and offers of composition - fines paid to settle offences without court proceedings - were issued.

Protected sharks, rays allegedly sold as seafood without permits in Singapore’s markets
Shark meat remains widely available at seafood restaurants, hawker stalls and supermarkets – and some hawkers say they cannot always tell what species they are buying.

Rachel Teng and Louisa Tang Channel NewsAsia 23 Feb 2026 05:19PM

SINGAPORE: When it comes to illegal wildlife trade, many think of elephant ivory, rhino horns or pangolins.

But another group receives far less attention: Marine species that are not fully banned but whose trade is tightly regulated amid growing concerns over population declines.

CNA found that in some of Singapore’s wet markets, some species of sharks and rays that are globally protected are allegedly still being sold without permits despite enforcement efforts.

This has led to concerns that such illegal sales could undermine global attempts to prevent overfishing and the extinction of these species.

TEKKA MARKET A HOTSPOT

Blacktip reef sharks – a protected species that cannot be sold without a permit – have turned up at some wet markets in Singapore, according to photos provided by CNA’s sources.

These are a species well known to those who dive or snorkel in coral reefs across Southeast Asia.

International trade records show that no permits have ever been issued for the commercial trade of meat from these sharks, as well as at least four other species observed in Singapore — spot-tail, bull, blackspot and spadenose sharks.

Such permits are typically valid for 12 months, and 2025 records on the global database have not yet been fully updated. The National Parks Board (NParks) said it was unable to provide CNA with the full list of permits issued in 2025 for shark and ray meat at the time of this article.

Most sightings of such illegally sold seafood over the past two years were reportedly made at Tekka Market.

Regulars in the area said prices for this group of sharks, also known as requiem sharks, range between S$10 (US$7.80) and S$20 per shark – slightly more than legally allowed shark species that do not require a permit.

When CNA visited the market at least thrice a week for a month and spoke to fishmongers, most said they were aware of the penalties for illegally selling protected species.

But one seller has been spotted selling them as recently as mid-December last year – despite telling CNA they have not sold sharks in years.

Another seller said they bring in the sharks in closed opaque boxes and avoid displaying them openly. They were also aware of the penalties involved.

Marine life enthusiast Aidan Raphael Keh, who is set to study life sciences at the National University of Singapore, said the most common species he has seen being sold is the blackspot shark, which is relatively common in the Indo-Pacific region.

"During the weekends particularly, that's when they bring out the most amount of fish to sell. I think I've seen requiem sharks being sold maybe about 50 to 70 per cent of the time I visited Tekka Market,” he noted.

He recounted one visit where he saw some requiem sharks being hawked around 9am. Most of them were sold by 10am.

“The people I've seen buy them are usually the elderly,” Mr Keh added.

NParks said it has dealt with seven cases of illegal shark and ray imports without permits between 2020 and 2025. Depending on each case, warning letters and offers of composition - fines paid to settle offences without court proceedings - were issued.

MIXED INTO LEGAL SUPPLY CHAINS

Marine life researchers, who have been conducting weekly surveys at Jurong Fishery Port for the past few years, said illegal seafood does not have a separate supply chain.

“It actually comes in mixed in with the regular and legal seafood. I think that's one of the main problems – that legal seafood supply chains, not just in Singapore but all over the world, have very little regulation and oversight,” said shark and ray researcher Naomi Clark-Shen.

Not all of the thousands of boxes of seafood that come into the port are inspected, she added.

Jurong Fishery Port, which is Singapore’s only fishery port, handles at least 15 per cent of the country’s seafood imports as of 2023. CNA understands that the rest enter via bulk land or air shipments, where checks may be carried out on a tip-off basis.

Researchers and buyers also said fish – especially certain types of rays, like wedgefishes – usually arrive already pre-cut into smaller pieces.

“This makes identifying the species very challenging for authorities, and it's very difficult for them to tell, is this a protected species? Is it an unprotected species?” said Dr Clark-Shen.

MORE SPECIES NOW PROTECTED

Shark meat remains widely available in Singapore at seafood restaurants, hawker stalls and supermarkets.

At a hawker stall selling shark meat lor mee for S$5 a bowl, the owner Chua Lan Leng told CNA she cannot always tell what species she is buying.

"I don't know (what species they are). When the stock comes, it comes in boxes. It's already cut into pieces,” said Madam Chua, who has sold her signature dish since 2000 at Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market & Food Centre.

Shark meat – from sharks that can be sold without a permit – can also be found at mixed rice stalls for about S$2.50 per serving. These are often bamboo sharks which have a catfish-like appearance.

With more species under protection, experts warn that consumers may unknowingly buy illegal products, especially when fish are sold in chopped form and mixed with legal species.

Many shark and ray species are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These species are overfished or on the brink of extinction and require permits for trade.

CITES regulates the international trade of wild animals and plants to ensure that it does not threaten their survival. Singapore became a signatory to the convention in 1986.

In 2023, 54 shark and ray species were given increased global protection under CITES Appendix II, meaning permits are required for trade.

Since 2025, some species – including the oceanic whitetip shark, whale shark and all manta rays – have been moved to Appendix I as they are now endangered or critically endangered. This means they have been completely banned from international commercial trade.

Countries can also fully ban exports of wedgefish and giant guitarfish, some of which have reportedly been seen in Singapore’s markets.

A 2022 study found that 27 per cent of shark meat sold locally in supermarkets and grocers were protected species listed under CITES Appendix II, which require permits for trade. With updated listings since 2023, that figure has risen to 89 per cent.

"Even though the study was done in 2022, we expect the results to be similar (today),” said researcher Golam Rabbani from the National University of Singapore’s Wainwright Molecular Ecology Lab.

“Even if we were to look at the different dried shark meat products now, most of these products don't have a specific indication as to what species they are. They're just labelled generically as shark meat.

“So, even if certain species are protected, you can't really control the trade unless you know exactly what species each product contains,” he added.

ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS

Enforcement efforts are complicated as marine species span vast ranges over international waters, making it more difficult to pinpoint their source, said Ms Serene Chng, programme manager at wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC International Southeast Asia.

“Another big challenge is how traceability tools have to be very robust. They have to cover all points of the supply chain and yet be feasible to implement by enforcement or regulatory authorities or by the industries themselves,” she noted.

In a response to CNA’s queries, NParks said it follows up on intelligence from government agencies like the Singapore Food Agency and international partners like INTERPOL. It said it also conducts import checks and market surveillance.

Frontline officers use a homegrown, artificial intelligence-powered mobile app called Fin Finder to identify shark and ray fins. Suspicious shipments may undergo further checks, including DNA testing.

Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, illegal trading in CITES Appendix II and III species without a permit carries penalties of up to S$500,000 in fines (S$1 million for companies) and/or imprisonment of up to four years (six years for companies), along with forfeiture of specimens.

This also comes as the illegal wildlife trade is increasingly moving online, particularly through messaging and e-commerce platforms.

In Singapore, animal rights charity ACRES received a total of 14 cases of prohibited wildlife sold on Telegram groups.

The listings offering prohibited wildlife included a bearded dragon, snapping turtle, axolotl and serval – an African wild cat. These have been verified to be authentic listings.

ACRES said these numbers may only represent a fraction of the actual illegal wildlife trade problem on the ground.

Regionally, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) tracked 4,925 listings of globally protected species in 2025, under its Cyber Spotter programme. Listings involving live animals doubled from 2024.

Jayasri Srikantan, assistant director of conservation and science at WWF, said a majority of such live animal listings involve reptiles and amphibians that are popular in the exotic pet trade, such as leopard geckos and star tortoises.

ENFORCEMENT NOT ENOUGH

Conservation groups say enforcement alone is not enough.

PasarFish, a local conservation initiative, conducts wet market tours and online campaigns encouraging consumers to diversify their seafood choices.

Singaporeans are among the biggest consumers of stingrays, which are a key component of the popular sambal stingray dish, said PasarFish co-founder Elliott James Ong.

“It's completely legal … but we do need to stop eating so much of these stingrays. We can't blame the sellers for selling it when our consumers are demanding it,” he added.

The group encourages alternati
ves such as the Talang Queenfish, which is commonly used in the Malay community and similarly grilled in sambal.

"What we have realised is that a lot of people are just scared to try alternatives. We're very stuck in our ways – not just in Singapore, but across Asia. We like traditional recipes, and then we want to use the same ingredients in them,” said Mr Ong.

“In terms of the flavours, the aromatics … those can stay the same. But we feel that it's time for us to experiment. If we don't experiment, then we're going to lose (more species).”

Bigger patch of wild mangroves at Marina Bay!

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:16:00 +0000

Once again, we follow in the footsteps of Arjun Sai Krishnan who first checked out this larger patch of mangroves at Marina East in Dec 2025. This gave me the impetus to check it out for ourselves. We were not disappointed!

Hidden behind the trees growing at the edge of the seawall is a patch of mangroves with a wide variety of species including some very rare ones. There are even mudlobster mounds! We saw an otter and other marine life. Will update with sightings by the rest of the team later on.

The most amazing sight was a huge (about 2m tall) Mentigi (Pemphis acidula) (considered Critically Endangered). It was flowering profusely and looked like a bridal bouquet! The stronghold for this plant is Pulau Biola, just off Raffles Lighthouse (Pulau Samutu). Referring to the list of mangrove plants recorded by the Southern Island Biodiversity Survey (SIBS) 2025 this plant also occurs on Pulau Salu (maybe the same one I saw in 2010?), as well as Sisters Island and Pulau Semakau - I have not seen them there, must go look! I saw a small shrub at the Lost Coast in 2010 - its location already reclaimed. I did see one at Chek Jawa in 2011 and regularly during surveys, the last time I saw it again was in 2017.

I saw one tree that was definitely Tumu Berau (Bruguiera sexangula) (considered Critically Endangered) based on the flowers. And another that might also be the same species (no spots on the underside of the leaf so not Rhizophora). This might be the first record of this species in the South as it was not recorded in SIBS.

I saw a few small Tengar merah (considered Endangered) producing flowers and propagules. SIBS also records this at Pulau Hantu, Lazarus Island and Pulau Semakau (2012).

I saw a few tall Teruntum merah trees (considered Endangered) and some small Chengam shrubs, both flowering profusely. I also saw some well formed Nyireh bunga, complete with lovely sinuous buttress roots.

I saw one small Bakau pasir (considered Vulnerable) which was flowering and producing propagules.

I also saw a Tumu with flowers. And some Bakau minyak from shrubs to very tall ones.

I also saw some great specimens of common mangroves, very tall Bakau putih and Api-api bulu (plus many smaller ones of these two species), many small Api-api putih - blooming and producing propagules.

I saw several Perepat trees, some quite tall. All seemed to have lost their leaves - like the one growing on the seawall bund on the western part of this shore. Not sure what is happening. I also saw many small to medium sized Nipah palms (considered Vulnerable). And one Buta-buta shrub.

The rest of the make all the special finds as usual. Rui Quan found a Marine pseudoscorpion, which I had no idea existed on our intertidal. He and Zen saw many fiddler crabs, and snails found only in mangroves. We all saw one otter during our survey. It didn't seem to be disturbed by our presence, coming quite close. But Zen captured the whole family of otters that were there too, seemed they kept out of sight until we left.

My video of the one bold otter, in fact escorted me as I left the site. Probably to make sure it was safe for the rest of the family to return.

The area we surveyed today is in the yellow circle.

This bigger patch of mangroves we surveyed today is surrounded by a fringe of Casuarina trees - these are often the first trees to colonise bare sand. Casuarina seeds sprout best in hot, open sand above the high-water mark and the young plants grow quickly, often form a thicket that eventually forms a Casuarina forest. The mangroves possibly took over as salt water intruded into the Casuarina forest?

The seagrasses returned to the low shore below the seawall on western end in 2015, but were again affected by coastal works, probably related to the construction of the jetty.

The low shore on the western end in Feb 2015
Photo by Loh Kok Sheng.

By 2017, seagrasses were back on the low shore below the seawall on western end.

In Dec 2025, we checked out the seagrasses the low shore below the seawall on western end, as well as the small patch of mangroves that had settled on the berm there. Seems they are settling well.

Photos the low shore on the western end in Dec 2025.
By Loh Kok Sheng and Kelvin Yong.

Hopefully, we can somehow take a closer look at the trees and plants growing on the jetty walls. There might be interesting and rare plants there too!

Thanks also to the team for documenting the patch of Spoon seagrass on the beach at the 'elbow' of the seawalls.

On the way to the bigger patch, the tiny patch of mangroves growing on the berm at the western side of this shore is still there - Perepat tree still with few leaves as I saw it in Dec 2025. How fascinating to have mangroves in the heart of the city with Marina Bay Sands on the horizon!

What is the fate of this shore?

Massive reclamation is planned near the area we surveyed today as outlined recently in the Long-Term Plan Review. From Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal to Marina Bay.

Technical studies for 'Long Island' 800ha reclamation off the East Coast were recently announced to begin.

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 for coastal! 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.

More photos of this site

Arjun Sai Krishnan surveyd on 4 Dec 2025

Photos by others on the survey

Zen Xuan He

Kelvin Yong

Rui Quan Oh

Paying respects to Big Sister

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:54:00 +0000

It has become our tradition to survey Big Sister's Island during the Lunar New Year. Part of Singapore's first Marine Park, we did our survey with permission from NParks. After raining all day, the weather eased up just as we started out survey.

We saw sharks, giant clam and other colourful reef life. The rest of the team made all the special finds, I will update later with their sightings. The corals seem to be doing well. The Great billed heron was calmly hunting in the Big Lagoon and did not seem disturbed at all by our presence. On the horizon, the Central Business District on the mainland.

As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds. A super tiny nudibranch (Phestilla sp.) that eats Pore hard corals. The slug has bumps on its body so it resembles the polyps of the coral. It was seen surrounded by spirals of its egg mass. Mathias spotted the elusive green Smasher mantis shrimp that is very zoomy. Many nudibranchs as well as flatworms were seen. And some of them were particularly small. Jewelled chitons, Spider conch and other typical snails were also seen. At sunset, I heard the calls of the Spotted wood owl - so glad the team caught a glimpse of the bird!

Collage of photos by the team.
Links to their albums below.

We all saw the Fluted giant clam and she seems fine. Kok Sheng observed that the siphon opening was particularly large, giving a rare glimpse of the clam's gills. Dr Neo Mei Lin shared that giant clam siphons can change shape from time to time. And it should go back to more normal size. Sadly, we couldn't find the Cushion star that was near the clam during our Aug 2025 survey. Also, Mathias found the shells of a large dead clam near the seawall.

Kelvin also captured a clip of shark that doesn't look like the usual Black-tipped reef shark.

First seen on our last survey in Feb 2022, the large patch (about 10m x 5m) of Branching montipora corals in the middle of the large lagoon seems to be disappearing. The patch already seemed to be more sparse during our Feb 2024, compared to our Jan 2023 survey. Today, there were only small very sparsely scattered colonies. But on a happier note, we had a much better look at corals because both the Sargassum and Bryopsis bloom that dominated the Big lagoon was gone! As well as the cyanobacteria bloom that I saw in Aug 2025.

In the Big Lagoon, I saw the usual variety of hard corals. The medium sized Anemone corals in the middle of the lagoon were doing well. Most of the corals were boulder shaped, but I also saw some plate corals and less common kinds. Including about 10 Mushroom corals from small to medium sized. In Aug 2025, I noticed about 10% of the large Boulder pore corals here had a narrow ring or small patches of dying tissues (white or blue and smells of rotting tissue). I didn't see this today. I didn't see any bleaching corals and most seemed alright.

I saw a good variety of leathery soft corals with some medium-sized healthy colonies. Giant carpet anemones remain abundant - but saw one with a 'Nemo' but it was too shy to be photographed. There were also Frilly anemones, corallimorphs, Asparagus flowery soft corals. I didn't see any that were bleaching.

Many corals continue to grow at the base of the seawall at the Big Lagoon. Many small common boulder shaped and plate forming corals, as well as a few less commonly seen kinds. They seem to be doing well today, clean and fresh most without dead patches. The 'tiles' placed on the seawall is part of work by the Experimental Marine Ecology Lab to enhance biodiversity on our seawalls.

Mathias observed that the sand was starting to bury some of the tiles placed on the seawall, suggesting sediment levels are rising inside the Big Lagoon.

Kok Sheng checked out the corals thoroughly and found the Anchor coral that I was looking for! I haven't seen it for some time. He also checked out the reefs near the jetty. He saw Branching montipora corals and many colonies of Acropora corals of various kinds, similar to what they saw in Aug 2025. As well as many interesting corals all looking healthy.

Photos by Loh Kok Sheng.

Most of the shores on both Big and Small Sisters' Islands were reclaimed: seawalls were built on the reef edge and the reef flat buried. The original islands were much tinier. Most of Big Sister's Island is ringed by artificial seawalls, which create two swimming lagoons. Since the reclamation, living corals have returned in the big lagoon of Big Sisters Island. Google Earth images already show the newly constructed boardwalk!

The two Sisters Islands were designated as a Marine Park in 2014. Big Sisters Island was closed in 2021 for enhancement works and reopened in 2024 with a new boardwalk and other facilities. Like many parks in Singapore, you can visit Big Sisters Island any day from 7am to 7pm. You don't need a guide or a permit to visit during these times. There is currently a free monthly guided walk at Big Sisters Island of the terrestrial areas, NOT covering the intertidal shore.

Our survey today was done with permission from NParks. Small Sisters Islands is not open to the public and reserved for research work.

More about the Sisters' Islands Marine Park on the blog and facebook page. More on the NParks website about what you can see and do at our Sisters Islands Marine Park.

Photos by others on this survey

Jianlin Liu

Liz Lim

Loh Kok Sheng

Kelvin Yong Part 1

Part 2

Mathias Luk

Chay Hoon

Yan Le Su

Lester Tan

Horseshoe crab breeding and seahorse study in Singapore

noreply@blogger.com (Ria Tan) — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 22:57:00 +0000

Timed with the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Horse, The Straits Times features two native animals with equine-linked names: the horseshoe crab and the seahorse.

Pulau Jong, Jul 2012

Year of the Horse: Inside Singapore’s first effort to captive-breed coastal horseshoe crabs
Ang Qing Straits Times, Feb 16, 2026, 05:00 AM

SINGAPORE – For more than a month, a pair of coastal horseshoe crabs have been hooked onto each other under the watch of their Republic Polytechnic (RP) caregivers labouring tirelessly to ensure the species’ survival.

When horseshoe crabs mate, the male grasps the female’s shell with its front claws, externally fertilising the eggs that she releases.

To ensure the best possible conditions for their charges, the students monitor everything from rain – which can dangerously alter the tank’s salinity – to traces of their bead-sized eggs.

This work is part of Singapore’s first effort to captive-breed and study the development of the coastal horseshoe crab.

Ranking among one of the oldest animals on earth, horseshoe crabs are incredibly hardy and have withstood the test of time, said Dr Laura Yap, programme chair of RP’s Diploma in Environmental and Marine Science course. “Unfortunately, it is human-driven disturbances that might now cause their decline.”

Timed with the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Horse, The Straits Times dives into the race to conserve two native animals with equine-linked names: the horseshoe crab and the seahorse.

The mangrove horseshoe crab and the coastal horseshoe crab – both native species of Singapore – are considered locally vulnerable. This means there are fewer than 1,000 mature individuals estimated in the wild, but more than 250.

The mangrove horseshoe crabs are regularly sighted at the Kranji-Mandai mudflats, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and even at the Pasir Ris mangrove. Coastal horseshoe crabs have been spotted mating at Changi Beach Park and East Coast Park.

By foraging, horseshoe crabs stir up sand and mud, releasing trapped nutrients. Their eggs are also food for migratory birds.

However, horseshoe crab sightings are becoming rarer. “People aged 60 and above have shared stories with our team about how they could easily find horseshoe crab eggs as children,” Dr Yap said. “That suggests that horseshoe crabs were more numerous in Singapore in the past.”

The coastal species is particularly difficult to track. Unlike their mangrove cousins, which typically stay in one muddy habitat throughout their lifetime, coastal horseshoe crabs are migratory and spend most of their lives hidden on the seafloor.

This mobility makes them highly susceptible to Singapore’s expanding shoreline, which changes due to land reclamation and other coastal developments. This interrupts the links that coastal horseshoe crabs need between marine habitats.

Launched in 2024, Dr Yap and her team’s research into captive-breeding coastal horseshoe crabs and their life stages will break new ground.

“Many of the developmental stages and the behaviour of this species are still unknown, such as how long it takes for them to reach certain life stages,” said Dr Yap, who specialises in behavioural and conservation ecology.

Her wider effort to research horseshoe crabs since 2015 has already set the milestone of creating a successful protocol for breeding mangrove horseshoe crabs.

The team then moved on to the coastal variety. This has involved hours of observation. On one occasion, the students waited for three hours just to observe the eggs of horseshoe crabs hatching.

“They do a freedom dance when they’re out,” Dr Yap said with a smile. “It’s really very cute.”

So far, the current pair of coastal horseshoe crabs, collected with the National Parks Board’s permission, has produced roughly 1,700 eggs.

These 3mm-wide eggs are divided across three separate tanks to ensure that a single technical failure does not wipe out the entire generation. “We don’t put all our eggs in one basket, literally.”

But the road to adulthood is long. It takes roughly a decade for a horseshoe crab to reach maturity. Mangrove horseshoe crabs have a lifespan of up to 25 years, while their coastal relatives are estimated to live slightly longer at roughly three decades, said Dr Yap.

As the current project nears its September conclusion, the team hopes to secure permits to release the lab-reared juveniles back into the wild.

Going forward, more research is needed to investigate the long-term impact of oil spills on coastal horseshoe crabs, said Dr Yap, a risk that was driven home when an oil spill closed beaches here in 2024.

She said: “Since they burrow and lay their eggs in the sand, we don’t yet know if the oil affected the development of the eggs.”

By June, another understudied horse of the sea is expected to get a helping hand.

Dr Adam Lim, director of Save Our Seahorses Malaysia, told ST that the non-profit organisation plans to collaborate with Singapore researchers and nature groups to document the distribution and diversity of syngnathid fishes, a family of fishes that includes seahorses, in the Republic’s waters.

Three species of seahorses are considered native to Singapore and all of them are deemed critically endangered.

“Seahorses are important to the overall marine food web and ecosystem,” said Dr Lim, a marine biologist. “They are purely carnivorous and prey on the living organisms at the bottom of the sea, keeping their numbers in check.”

The team founded by his late mentor, Mr Choo Chee Kuang, has spent 21 years surveying Malaysia’s waters for seahorses, while educating the public on the animals.

The members recently decided to take their education efforts to companies after realising that white-collar workers aged 18 to 55 with minimal exposure to nature ranked the lowest in awareness of the marine environment.

“With hands-on participation, we seek to close the awareness and exposure gap that is present in society,” said Dr Lim, who noted that only an estimated 50 people in the world specialise in syngnathid fishes. At least six of them are active in the ecology and conservation space of South-east Asia, he added. Singapore does not have a specialist in this field of study.

An aim of the upcoming collaboration is to find a champion for the animals in Singapore.

Said Dr Lim: “Conservation efforts are not just the responsibility of the government, non-governmental organisations or certain individuals. It is a collective effort and participation that will help us move conservation forward in all areas.”