Revamp of Giant clam conservation in Singapore and the region

Dr Neo Mei Lin hopes to have long-term conservation funding in Singapore, and plans to revamp giant clam conservation projects here and in the region.

Giant clam on P. Tekukor with Sentosa Cove in the background.

The two giant clam species found in Singapore are threatened not by poaching but by habitat degradation and sediments on reefs. They are also widely spread across the reefs, limiting reproduction. “The numbers are so low that they’re not able to reproduce with each other,” noted Dr Neo.

In 2011 to 2018, Singapore bred giant clams for repopulating. But in one experiment, which involved putting 144 clams into the sea, only 29.9 per cent of them survived after 145 days. The aim is to ensure that the restocked clams can spawn and have their new larvae settle on the reefs and grow, forming the next generation.

6-year study of South-west coastal protect to start

The 116km coastline study from Tuas to Pasir Panjang will be the largest coastal study to date. It is expected to take six years to develop solutions to prevent coastal and inland floods due to rising seas. The Pasir Panjang Terminal area, to be vacated by the 2040s, may be redeveloped, with potential reclamation and works on the surrounding water body. 

Changi quickly

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.

First look at Terumbu Menalung next to Sudong reclamation

Terumbu Menalung is a tiny submerged reef flat that lies very close to the ongoing reclamation at Pulau Sudong. Thanks to the team who surveyed this for the first time and shared all their observations.

Photo by Rachael Goh

They encounter a wide variety of corals and marine life, including the endangered Merten's carpet anemone. I was with another team that surveyed Terumbu Bemban at the same tide. What we saw in both locations suggests that there is good effort to minimise impact of the large reclamation works.

Checking Terumbu Bemban for impacts from the Sudong reclamation

We check up on one of our favourite sites, a submerged reef flat that is the closest to the ongoing reclamation at Pulau Sudong. What we saw suggests that there is good effort to minimise impact of the large reclamation works.

It was a relief to see healthy corals on Western Terumbu Bemban nearest to the reclamation site. There is denser growth of seagrasses here too. While the rich reefy patch on Eastern Terumbu Bemban seems to be okay. A separate team also makes our first survey of tiny Terumbu Menalung nearby. I will update later with all their observations.

First time on Sentosa Serapong west!

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.