Massive Ex Northstar VII on Sentosa's natural shore

An exercise involving 15 agencies and 2,000 people, Ex Northstar VII simulates the attacks on India's Mumbai city, with terrorists launching simultaneous assaults on key public areas. The plot for this year's exercise, to be held over several days, simulates a band of 15 terrorists who hijack a marine vessel. They split up into six "assault teams" and infiltrate Singapore's shores at different landing sites before launching concurrent large-scale attacks.

Phase 2, the finale - when crack military units will storm Rasa Sentosa Hotel to rescue hostages - will be witnessed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other Cabinet ministers. This will be held next Wednesday (15 Jul) at the Rasa Sentosa Resort.

This explains the Port Marine Notice about a Police Coast Guard exercise on this stretch of natural shore on Sentosa.

This area has natural reefs where families enjoy the public shore walks conducted by the Naked Hermit Crabs. And lush seagrasses which are monitored by TeamSeagrass.

Massive reclamation near Labrador continues until Jan 2010

Besides reclamation, other major works include dredging, soil investigation, caisson construction, demolition of structures and removal of submarine cables and pipelines. Other natural shores near this project include the natural shores of Sentosa and Cyrene Reefs.

Nem check at Pasir Ris

The soft silty shores of Pasir Ris make a happy home for some kinds of sea anemones. And indeed, we saw many of the usual suspects.
This large but rather plain anemone has yet to be identified. I call him Bob. He has virtually no identifying marks, aside from being large and plain.

Living sea structures in Singapore

Developing a "colourful, vibrant seascape" on Singapore's sea walls, jetties and piers is the subject of a current government-funded feasibility study.

These man-made structures surround up to 70 per cent of our coastlines. Reclaimed land accounts for a quarter of Singapore's land area. This figure is projected to rise and more man-made structures such as sea walls and jetty pilings will be built.

The hope is that the project will make room for sea creatures that once thrived here, and help people connect with the marine environment. Adding corals and other vegetation to such walls will also boost their effectiveness as a coastal defence structure.

Windy at Tanah Merah

There was an ill wind blowing on us today at Tanah Merah. Cold with a certain kind of ozoney smell, not strong but purposefully constant, full of portend.
Chay Hoon remarked "I don't like this wind". Yes, neither did I. Because this kind of wind is a harbinger of wet weather, and also because it's hard to take photos in the wind.

What is a sea pig?

I learnt of this baffling beast on ChrisM's The Echinoblog.

Photo from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute website.

It's a deep-sea sea cucumber with 'legs', and 'training wheels'. Often collected in the hundreds. Possibly huggable if it wasn't slimy.

Anemone overdose at Kranji

The shores at Kranji Reservoir Park may appear to be dead and lifeless.
But a closer look reveals that it is simply carpeted with sea anemones! As well as all kinds of other tiny animals.

10 Jul (Fri): Talk on "The Wonders of Singapore's Mangroves Insect Fauna"

In this talk, Dr Patrick Grootaert shares with us some of his findings from the Singapore Mangrove Insect Project (SMIP) and also the new fly species found.

The Singapore Mangrove Insect Project (SMIP) is a collaboration between NParks and NUS. Eleven mangrove sites in Singapore were studied during a one-month sampling campaign in May 2009.

Writing to excite ordinary people about mangroves

For those of us who have struggled with getting ordinary people excited about mangroves, here's a great article that does just that!

It explains in an inspiring way how a smelly murky mangrove is just as magnificent as some better known habitats. This approach can also be used for less glamorous, but just as vital, habitats like seagrass meadows.

Certainly something to try at my next public talk and outreach effort!

Exploring Noordin, Pulau Ubin

An early start for Alyce, Chay Hoon and me to explore Pulau Ubin.
It's a glorious blue sky day and the tide is high!

Police Coast Guard will be conducting exercises on Sentosa's natural shores

The exercise area covers the natural reefs, seagrasses and sandy shores all the way to the natural cliffs.
This is the same area where families enjoy the public shore walks conducted by the Naked Hermit Crabs.
The lush seagrasses in this area is also monitored by TeamSeagrass.
From the dates and timing of the exercises, these will take place at a tide height of about 1-2m.

More details on the issues impacting this shore, with more links.

Gate to Labrador rocky shore permanently locked from 10 Jun 09

Labrador shore is our last mainland location with a reef, seagrass meadows, rocky shore and coastal cliffs.

It was a favourite destination for school trips. Many kids probably had their early encounters with their own shores on Labrador.

Unfortunately, this shore has been severely impacted by massive works nearby at Pasir Panjang and Sentosa. It is probably good to give it a rest.

Jurong reclamation continues until Jan 2010

Activities include dredging and "shore protection works"

Mangroves could be extinct in 100 years

If the current rate of loss (about 2% each year) continues, mangroves could be extinct in 100 years, a recent study found.
The study also found that more than 40 percent of a sample of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds that are restricted to mangrove ecosystems are globally threatened with extinction. They also found that these mangrove-restricted species and subspecies are concentrated in Asia and Australia.

Snake tricks fishes to swim into its mouth

This amazing tentacled snake has a sneaky way to catch its prey!

(Photo by Ken Catania)

The range of the tentacled snake (Erpeton tentaculatum) is from Thailand to Singapore. Alas, I've not seen it before in my field trips of our shores.

Complaint of noise from construction of Pasir Panjang Container Terminal

"It is like 1,000 machine guns on loudspeakers going on from 8.30am until sometimes past 8pm" says a resident who lives near the worksite.

"Noise pollution control at Pasir Panjang Terminal Phase 2 is ineffective. Is there any external audit to satisfy public transparency?" she asks.

Sand mining off the East Coast for dumping off Labrador

Sand mining off the East Coast which started in Apr 08 continues until Jan 2010. The dredged sand will be dumped off Labrador. In the past, also at the Tuas reclamation site.
The heavy industrial barges at the worksite near Labrador can be seen even from Cyrene Reef. Here they are in the background, of Collin and Jeff working on the fish survey last week.
Related posts
Where is Area 1? This is where the sand mining takes place.
What is a TSHD? and what are the impacts of dredging.

Upgrading work at Ubin Jetty until 8 Jul 09

Upgrading work will be carried out to replace the existing timber fender at the Ubin Jetty. The work includes the transportation of the timber fender via the workboat from mainland to the jetty.