Semakau fish farm finally to be removed?

Said to be the largest in Singapore, this fish farm near Pulau Semakau is finally going to be dismantled and removed. More than three years after the farm was abandoned.

Photo taken on our last survey in Apr 2026.

Barramundi Group's abandoned fish farm is located very close to natural mangroves, reefs and seagrass meadows at Pulau Semakau North. We have checked it out every time we survey there. On our last survey in Apr 2026, the farm remains totally abandoned and in a state of decay. Since our Apr 2025 survey, the big barge with equipment and supplies, and floating dorm for workers were gone. Cages were falling apart and derelict small boats nearby. 

In Jul 2023, it was reported that 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). 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.

An MPA notice announced that works will be conducted end of the year, to dismantle the farm.

From Port Marine Notice NO. 109 OF 2026 dated 2 Sep 2026

REINSTATEMENT FOR FARM SPACES KELONG AT:

a) EASTERN JOHOR STRAITS (E63); AND

b) SEA-BED FARM OFF PULAU SEMAKAU (PSM1)

Applicable to: Mariners operating in the vicinity Off Eastern Johor Straits and Off

Pulau Semakau

Date : With effect from 02 Sep 2026 to 31 Dec 2026.

Location : At sea within the working area bounded by the following coordinates (see

attached Chartlet):

a. Mobilize the plant, equipment and materials. Carry out water quality testing. Install the silt curtain around the designated work area.

b. Remove and demolish the above water structure, section by section. Certified divers will be deployed to remove underwater structures.

c. Bundle the demolished debris on site and load it onto the barge for transportation and remove silt curtain and load onto barge.

d. Transport the debris and unload it at the approved disposal facility.

The above process will continue until the completion of the reinstatement works.

A safety boat will attend all times to warn and re-direct craft in the vicinity to keep clear of the working area.

Further enquiries relating to the project can be directed to Mr. Lai Wee Siong, Project Manager at Tel: 9474 7522 Email: franklai@oung.com.sg or Mr. Ho Goon Yeen, Asst. Project Manager at Tel: 8347 3266 Email:goonyeen@oung.com.sg