Still quiet at oil slicked 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 three months ago.

Like last month, I didn't see any oil slicks on the shore. The seagrasses are still there, and there is still life on the shore although not much more than last month. Compared to our last survey here before the oil spill in May 2024, there were far fewer animals and many missing animals.

There is still life on the shore although it is still much quieter than usual. I saw about 10 Olive snails, five Oval moon snails and a few sand collars. I did see a Haddon's carpet anemone - with tiny anemone shrimps. There were still a lot of tiny to small hermit crabs, I saw some tiny swimming crabs and tiny fish. The only echinoderm I saw today was a ball sea cucumber - Id didn't see any Cake sand dollars (which I saw last month), nor any sea stars or brittle stars.  I saw one Acorn worm, a  blue sponge and a small patch of healthy Zebra coral.

There is still lots of seagrass on the shore. Similar to Aug 2024,  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, and seagrasses still lush between the sand bar and the wall of the canal. Mostly Needle seagrass (both narrow and broad leaf blades) and Spoon seagrass (large leaf blades). I saw one small clumps of Tape seagrass with long leaves, no flowers. I also saw small patches of Serrated ribbon seagrass and Noodle seagrass - I first saw these in May 2021 are still there, these two species are not as commonly seen on our shores.

I noticed many clumps of washed up 'bleached' Halimeda seaweed. They were not attached to the ground and were washed up all along the sandbar that faces away from the canal. There were also many in the little bay next to the pontoon. Maybe they were growing in deeper water and just recently died and washed up? We made a similar observation at oil-slicked East Coast Park at Area H,  in July 2024 and weeks after the oil spill.

The narrow band of oil on the jetty leg on the highest shore is still there. Today, it seems to be less lively on the jetty legs. I saw many Drills but only a few other small snails, limpets, one Onch slug. I didn't see any crabs.

Unlike in Jul 2024, and similar to Aug 2024, I didn't see any oil slicks on the shore and there wasn't a lot of dark sand in my footprints. On the low shore and further seaward, the patch of litter here is no longer as large as what I saw last month, Aug 2024.

There is a line of litter washed up on the high shore. Which no doubt will be diligently removed by cleaners so beach users will see nothing by sunrise. Among the litter were 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.

The abandoned fishing net stuck to the jetty leg that I saw last month is still there. I also noticed a large abandoned net on the low shore, it is already heavily covered in growths.

High res photos of today's survey on wildsingapore flickr.

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. 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.