Sentosa Tg Rimau: EIA on slope stabilisation works

Work will begin in 2027 across a 400m stretch of Sentosa Tanjong Rimau. This include "a few hundred XblocPlus blocks, each weighing about a tonne, to be placed at three sites". The EIA found that more than 12 per cent of seagrass meadows may be lost. Soft, sandy and seagrass habitats are likely to transform into artificial hard, rocky habitats at the locations of the XblocPlus.

Muhammad Nasry Abdul Nasir, executive director of Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity said: “If you’re protecting an existing seawall or a reclaimed shoreline with little ecological value, (adding XblocPlus) for habitat complexity is a no brainer. But Rimau is not a blank canvas; there’s a lot of life there. Are there alternatives we can consider that are less drastic in terms of reshaping the shore, that can still provide the coastal resilience we are looking for?”

“While stabilising the slopes is necessary to prevent progressive collapse (of the cliff), the approach should minimise impacts to Tanjong Rimau’s biodiversity,” said Lester Tan, chairman of Nature Society Singapore’s Marine Conservation Group. “I’m always in favour of not changing one habitat to another. There could be a loss of connectivity,”

Read the full EIA on the Sentosa website.

Send your feedback here https://form.gov.sg/6a20d00d14f841cbd5b20469

Related blog post: Sentosa Tg. Rimau: Interlocking 1-tonne blocks to be deployed

Terumbu Semakau next to massive worksite

A large team surveys this large submerged reef next to Singapore's only landfill and near the petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom. There is currently a large worksite near it for repairs to the pipeline carrying crude oil to Pulau Bukom.

We still find rich reefs at the edge facing the Landfill, but elsewhere, less corals. The water seems a bit more murky that usual and sand seems to have built up on some parts of the shore. But two Giant clams are found, and the rest of the team make special finds which I will update later.

Terumbu Hantu in the face of Sudong reclamation

Despite being next to petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom and surrounded by heavy vessel parking, this little gem with rich reefs is one of our favourite sites.

Today we survey within sight of the ongoing massive reclamation on Pulau Sudong. We are relieved to see the corals are still doing well. The rest of the team make all the special finds, I will update later.

Kusu Island still reefy, with Giant clams!

This rich reefs of Kusu Island lies just opposite the Central Business District, less than half an hour away by fast boat. A small team surveys the rich reefs that are now part of Singapore's second national Marine Park at Lazarus South-Kusu Reef. 

The corals are slowly recovering from the 2024 mass coral bleaching and we feel haven't quite returned to their former glory. This is quite worrying as we are expecting another round of mass coral bleaching next year. We also saw 3 giant clams and other fascinating finds. I will compile the rest of the team's finds later.

Pulau Sekudu with dugong feeding trails

A small team surveys this untouched island that lies opposite Chek Jawa, Pulau Ubin. We survey in the dark and end as the tide turns at sunrise. Pulau Sekudu is off limits since 2007 and requires special permission from NParks.

I saw dugong feeding trails again! The team make all the special finds including seahorse, stonefish. I will update with their sightings later.

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.