East Coast NSRCC seagrassy too!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What is the fate of this shore?

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

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

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

Natural regeneration on Singapore's artificial shores and structures is already happening now. Unintentionally, with zero replanting. Can we plan coastal works to allow reefs, mangroves and seagrasses to naturally regenerate? Naturalise canals leading to the sea for a continuum of freshwater wetlands to mangroves? Imagine what's possible! Reefs and natural marine ecosystems at our doorstep, for all in the City to enjoy. More about this idea in my feedback to the Draft Master Plan 2013.

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018

Check out the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 which outlines community recommendations for all these shores. DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

See East Coast shores for yourself. It's fun and easy to explore these shores. More details in "East Coast Park - Surprising intertidal adventures for the family".