Plans will relocate food farms to 'wrap around' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

A change in land use was announced which will concentrate food farms closer to and 'wrapping around' Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. There are currently no food farms in this area, which previously was designated for military use and thus served as a buffer to the nature spaces in the Reserve. 

What potential impact? Land-based food farms can be highly pollutive, affecting the quality of water that flows through the Reserve and into the Johor Strait, where the fish farms are. We need to monitor closely these plans to move them so close to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

When will this happen? When will this happen? Affected farms will be allowed to remain on site until their land tenures expire, ranging from 2026 to the mid-2030s.

Signs of recovery from 2024 Pasir Panjang Oil Spill

Studies suggest there is recovery on shores affected by the 2024 Pasir Panjang Oil Spill.

One of the studies involved 100 citizen scientists, who collected samples from 10 sites including Pasir Ris Beach, Changi Beach, Lazarus Island and St John’s Island for a year. These studies are expected to be completed by end-2026.

Reefs on Ferry Terminal seawall doing well

Today, a small team returns to survey the amazing coral reef that has settled naturally on the seawalls of Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Lush seagrasses also settled naturally in the artificial lagoon next to the Ferry terminal.

This shore was impacted by mass coral bleaching and the 400tonne Pasir Panjang oil spill in 2024. Today, the corals seem to be getting back to normal, while seagrasses are doing well. As usual, the rest of the team make all the special finds. I will update later with their observations.

Recovery at coral garden at East Coast Park

Thanks to Lon, Rui Quan and Dylan for surveying the amazing coral garden that has settled on artificial shores at East Coast Park. 

Photo by Lon Voon Ong.

In 2024, this shore was impacted by mass coral bleaching, the 400tonne Pasir Panjang oil spill and the 5tonne Changi East oil overspill. Oil that landed on this shore was not cleaned as thoroughly because it is not a recreational beach. It's a relief to know the corals and seagrasses here seem to have recovered well in such a short time.

Chek Jawa (South) still alive

We do our annual low tide check up on the southern area of Chek Jawa near the Beacon, with kind permission and support from NParks.

We find sponges and corals, sea fans and soft corals. The team make all the special finds: seahorse, stonefish, sea stars and more. I will update later with their photos.

'Garden of sea fans' at Changi growing lush

A tiny team survey this 'reefy' part of Changi. It was a relief to see the 'garden' of sea fans are still present here and seem more lush than on our last survey in Apr 2025. 

Corals, anemones and other cnidarians seemed alright. And the team spot a variety of interesting marine life!