Coastal Protection Bill passed into law

The new law affects about 100 landowners who occupy 30% of private land along the coast. Mostly shipyards and ports, and oil and gas and manufacturing companies, at Jurong Island and the industrial estates of Tuas, Pioneer and Senoko. Studies for the north-west stretches are expected to be done by 2026, while studies for Jurong Island and the south-west coast will be completed by 2030. 

The law also gives PUB the powers to designate nature spots such as parks and beaches as areas that can be flooded temporarily, especially during extreme high tides and storm surge events. This ensures that nature spots will not be permanently walled up, and marine habitats like seagrass meadows, mangroves and intertidal zones can be preserved. For instance, the recommendation for Changi Beach Park was for a raised platform – such as a bund – to be built farther inland to ensure access to the beach. This means the beach will be left to flood temporarily during extreme weather events.

Other intertidal surveys in Feb 2026

Between the low spring tides, the intrepid Rui Quan Oh relentlessly checked out more shores! As usual, I learn a lot about crabs, and also the pretty insects and spiders of our mangroves. So glad to know cute fiddlers and awesome Blue-spotted mudskippers still abound on Pulau Ubin. 

Collage of photos by Rui Quan Oh

Rui Quan checked out Sentosa, Coney Island, Admiralty Park. And also Ubin together with Zen Xuan He. Thanks also to Dr Clarence Sim for inviting Rui Quan to help in his intertidal work at Pulau Semakau.

New marine science research centre of excellence to be established

A new marine science research centre of excellence will be established to conduct a  $60 million research programme. More details will be released later this year. 

From NParks Facebook post about the new centre

Key Area 1 of the centre is "Biodiversity and Nature". The centre will focus on foundational research on species, species functions and interactions, to inform conservation, management and policy. Forming the basis for further and more complex research, which will in turn allow the development of solutions to emerging challenges in the longer-term.

$70million top up to Fund supporting local fish farms

A $70 million boost from April to the existing Agri-food Cluster Transformation (ACT) Fund aims to co-fund solutions that support multiple farms, such as integrated delivery systems. The national breeding programme will be expanded to include red snappers, and the supply of whiteleg shrimp larvae and grouper fingerlings will be increased. Recognising that commercial viability depends on sustained demand, SFA is also working to increase offtake of locally farmed produce.

Barramundi Asia fish farm off Pulau Semakau
lies derelict, Nov 2024

Singapore will also be upgrading its model to predict harmful algal blooms, which risk devastating harvests of aquaculture farms when sea surface temperatures rise. The new model will integrate forecasted weather conditions for more accurate environmental predictions, alerting farms ahead of anticipated events to implement measures that limit their losses.

Western Catchment coastal protection announced

Conceptual studies for the northwest coast stretching from Tuas to Lim Chu Kang have been completed. Recommended measures include replacing tidal gates and raising dykes to protect four coastal reservoirs – Tengeh, Poyan, Murai and Sarimbun – which are critical freshwater sources for Singapore.

National water agency PUB said in a joint press release with the ministry that the elevated dykes will double as maintenance roadways and incorporate design features to preserve ecological connectivity with the sea. Construction of the measures for the north-west coastline is targeted to start from the mid-2030s.

The government will hold focus group discussions and a public exhibition this year to gather feedback on the National Adaptation Plan. To support ground-up initiatives, the SG Eco Fund will broaden its funding scope to include climate adaptation projects.

Sentosa beach rejuvenation and strengthened coast protection

Sentosa’s beaches will undergo rejuvenation works, including strengthened coastal protection measures. More details about the Greater Sentosa Master Plan will be shared later in 2026.