14 Oct (Wed): "Good COP, Bad COP - the Compelling Case for a Good Global Climate Deal"

A Public Lecture by James Leapes, Director General, WWF International. James Leape is in Singapore as a Distinguished Visitor of the Singapore International Foundation.

The financial case for a good Copenhagen deal is compelling. Economic and finance officials need to prepare for and engage in the climate debate in order to take full advantage of the benefits associated with a good deal and avoid the significant costs that stem from a failed deal.

Abandoned fishing nets kill whales, turtles in the Andamans

A "Bruda whale" died after it became entangled in a fishing net. According to Phuket reports, the animal was two or three months old, measured 4.5 metres, weighed 600 kilos and had deep cuts from the netting.

Photo from Phuketwan News

In Phuket, many turtles have been forced ashore this monsoon season. They are either dead, or missing a flipper, usually one of the large front ones. So many turtles are being washed up that it no longer makes news.

And the cause is almost always the same: fishing nets.

8 Oct (Thu): "Dugongs: Mysterious Mermaids or Meat?"

Prof Helene Marsh is giving a talk about dugongs later this week!
And a prelude to Prof Marsh's talk is Siti Maryam Yaakub of TeamSeagrass. Siti will share about seagrasses of Singapore and the efforts being made to better understand manage these valuable ecosystems.
Yay Siti!

Slow to CJ

I'm back on Pulau Ubin, for a solo trip to Chek Jawa.
For the first time in probably nearly a decade, I decide to get there by bicycle.

High and dry at Chek Jawa

Today it was DRY! Compared to yesterday's very soggy trip to Chek Jawa! And the tide was quite high!Here's a sunny, mangrove fringed cove at Chek Jawa, a rare sight for me as I seldom go to Chek Jawa at high tide.

Wet and wild at Chek Jawa

Today I joined November and Marcus for their trip to Chek Jawa. They were guiding undergraduates from the NUS Geography Department. I wanted to tag along to shoot some stuff for an upcoming project.
But just as we were leaving, the dark clouds gathered.

Marine experiments off Pulau Tekukor and Live Firing Islands

Experiments by the Thales Group will be conducted off Pulau Tekukor.
And off the Southern islands in the Live Firing Range.

Nature guides get sluggish at a naked workshop

Chay Hoon our super slugger, who can not only spot miniscule slugs but also knows lots and lots about them, shared about slugs at last night's Leafmonkey Workshop: "The Naked Truth and Other Sluggish Affairs"
Wow, we sure learnt a lot about these curious creatures!

Work on International Cruise Terminal at Marina South begins

Construction will continue until Apr 2010 and involve piling, construction of berths, terminal deck and mooring dolphins. Subsequent media reports indicate the works will include reclamation as well, because "the design was tweaked - the waterfront promenade will now be built on reclaimed land rather than concrete".
Earlier, it was announced that the completion of the Terminal was delayed to 2011 "to allow for 'more detailed consultation and study to take place' because of the complexity of the project involving reclamation and marine engineering works". Even earlier, the Tourism Board said that the project needed time as "there are still many issues to iron out because the Marina South site is on reclaimed land".

Dugong’s last moments a frantic fight for survival

A 40-year-old dugong died of "sudden and massive trauma while she was grazing on seagrasses".

Photo from Phuket Gazette.

An autopsy suggests the dugong was trying to out-swim fishing nets trawling the sea bed.

More reclamation at Jurong Island?

Just after announcing that reclamation at Jurong Island was completed 20 years ahead of schedule, JTC is contemplating more reclamation as land has already run out on the Island. 75% of the island's land has already been taken up or reserved by investors.

View of Jurong Island from the vast seagrass meadows of Cyrene Reef.