Terumbu Hantu still thrives

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

Today, we saw lots of healthy corals and other amazing marine life. Kelvin flew the drone and got stunning views of the reef and surrounding area.

Coral garden and lush seagrass meadows at East Coast Park

A reef has settled at a seawall on the other side of Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal next to the East Coast PCN. While one of our nicest seagrass patches is growing at the mouth of a canal here.

Lights on the horizon are ships parked off the coast.

We surveyed this shore as well as the nearby shore opposite East Coast NSRCC and checked out the seawall near the Adventure Centre. Our artificial shores are very much alive!

Sekudu still lively

Well before dawn, we survey one of our favourite shores, Pulau Sekudu or Frog Island that lies just off Chek Jawa on Pulau Ubin. Today, I saw possible signs of dugong in this tiny island's lush seagrass meadows. Sponges, corals, sea fans seem to be doing well. The team have special sightings too.

Pulau Sekudu is off limits since 2007 and requires special permission from NParks. Thanks to NParks for permission and support to do these predawn low spring tide surveys of the island.

Sentosa with special sea stars

The rest of the team surveyed Sentosa Coastal Trail where there are corals and seagrasses. 

Montage of photos by Kelvin Yong and Richard Kuah

It was great to know they spotted the elusive Galloping sea star, and that the Common sea stars may be making a come back. Also spotted a clown anemonefish - which are sometimes seen here, as well as moray eels and more! There were Tape seagrasses with long leaf blades and female flowers.

Links to their photo albums below.

East Coast Park briefly

There is a shallow lagoon at East Coast Park which has slowly been taken over by seagrasses. At super low tide, a long sand bar stretches out seaward. 

On a brief super low tide, under a full moon, I found lush seagrasses with many interesting creatures. 

Southern fish farm to stop due to deadly virus

Barramundi Group will stop stocking its sites off Pulau Semakau, Pulau Senang and St John’s Island until “an efficacious vaccine is available” against the scale drop disease virus (SDDV). 

From  The Straits Times 31 Jul 2023

SDDV was first formally described in Singapore farmed fish in 2011 and can kill more than half of the barramundi raised in a cage. The virus has caused “significant mortalities and financial losses” for Barramundi Group's Singapore operations, which recorded a loss of $31.9 million for FY2022. 

More details in the excellent article by Ang Qing and Shabana Begum The Straits Times 31 Jul 2023