Small oil slicks still seen on East Coast Park (Sailing Centre)

I make a quick survey at East Coast Park (Sailing Centre) to check for impact from the 400tonne Pasir Panjang oil spill on 14 Jun 2024, about a month ago.

There are still small puddles of oil slick gathered at the low water mark. But the walls surrounding the shore seem clear of oil. The seagrasses are still there, and there is still life on the shore. Although there are fewer animals and some are missing, compared to our last survey here in May 2024.

Among the seagrass, I saw two Haddon's carpet anemones (not bleaching). Also some Zebra corals (not bleaching). There were many brittlestars, hermit crabs, swimming crabs and moon crabs, and some common snails. I didn't see any fishes. I only saw one tiny sea cucumber and did not see any sea stars nor the Tiny red sea cucumbers which were so abundant on our last survey here in May 2024.

On the sand bar, I saw some moon snails: Oval moon snail, Ball moon snail and Tiger moon snail. Their egg masses (sand collars) were also seen among the seagrasses. I saw some Olive snails too, and a few small Cake sand dollars. On the high shore, there were a few burrows of Ghost crabs. I didn't see any Acorn worms though, nor any of the special snails like Bonnet snails or Fig snails.

There is still lots of seagrass on the shore. Though they seem a little less dense, and the area near the pontoon is rather bare. There were still lots of seagrass growing along both sides of the long sandbar. Needle seagrass (both narrow and broad leaf blades) and Spoon seagrass (large leaf blades). I saw patches of Noodle seagrass - I first saw these in May 2021. I didn't see other seagrass species, perhaps because the tide wasn't very low so I couldn't check out the lower shores. I couldn't find Tape seagrass although there were Tape seagrass leaf blades washed ashore.

There was a narrow band of oil only on the jetty leg on the highest shore. The rest of the legs appear clear of oil. The usual crabs, snails, barnacles and encrusting animals were still alive on the legs.

There are still small puddles of oil slick gathered at the low water mark. In some parts, the floating oil is more dispersed, but not thin enough to appear as sheen - still appears as brown stains. The seawalls and the canal walls surrounding this small shore appears clear of oil.

Oil can also seep into the sand. I look for signs of these in my footprints, and also the burrows of animals that dig into the sand.

On the high shore, only a bit of litter has been washed up. But on the low shore and further seaward, I saw more litter. Including many single-use water cups, which commonly wash up on beaches along the ferry routes. These are not commonly used by beach goers or the local boating or fishing community. But these single-use water cups are apparently given out to passengers on ferries. It seems no facilities are provided at any of the piers/terminals under MPA's charge for vessels to responsibly dispose of trash generated during their operation. More in this post.

I will try to return soon to check on the shore!


What is the fate of this shore?

East Coast shores slated for massive reclamation outlined recently in the Long-Term Plan Review. There were additional details, plans for a 'Long Island' opposite East Coast Park is now official. In addition to more reclamation along that shoreline, already unveiled in 2013.

Technical studies for 'Long Island' 800ha reclamation off the East Coast were recently announced to begin.

Natural regeneration on Singapore's artificial shores and structures is already happening now. Unintentionally, with zero replanting. Can we plan coastal works to allow reefs, mangroves and seagrasses to naturally regenerate? Naturalise canals leading to the sea for a continuum of freshwater wetlands to mangroves? Imagine what's possible! Reefs and natural marine ecosystems at our doorstep, for all in the City to enjoy. More about this idea in my feedback to the Draft Master Plan 2013.

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018

Check out the Sinapore Blue Plan 2018 which outlines community recommendations for all these shores. DOWNLOAD the Plan, SUPPORT the Plan! More on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site.

See these and other East Coast shores for yourself once the beaches are reopened to the public. It's fun and easy to explore these shores. More details in "East Coast Park - Surprising intertidal adventures for the family".

What the shore looks like in daylight.