Pulau Hantu still alive!

Although Pulau Hantu lies just across the petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom, there are living reefs and even mangroves here. A full team surveys at the first predawn tide of the cycle.

It was a relief to see that the reefs seem to have pulled through the Fourth Global mass coral bleaching event last year. As well as oil spills large and small. We last surveyed in Jun 2024 just after the 400tonne Pasir Panjang oil spill on 14 Jun 2024. We surveyed again in Oct 2024 12 hours after an oil spill at Pulau Bukom.

Cyrene briefly: signs of dugong, stars and more!

We make a brief visit to Cyrene on the last evening tide of the cycle. Right opposite the site of the Pasir Panjang Terminal where the Jun 2024 oil spill occured, we saw thriving marine life.

A green turtle was sighted! And we are delighted to see dugong feeding trails, a bloom of sidegill slugs. Also many Knobbly sea stars, Giant clam and more.

Neptune coastal monitoring system upgraded

The current Neptune system monitors Singapore waters so authorities can respond quickly to incidents such as oil spills and algae blooms (which cause mass fish death). Upgraded sensors will monitor significant wave parameters to support studies on the impact of climate change, said NEA.

Data from the upgraded system will complement the Marine Environment Sensing Network (MESN) said Dr Jani Tanzil, facility director of St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML). MESN provides data that in 2024 alerted researchers to mass coral bleaching.

Nature takes root where man has built

Science Talk: Nature takes root where man has built
Life on artificial shores and structures can help maintain good water quality in S'pore
Ria Tan Straits Times 25 Sep 2015

Natural regeneration on Singapore's artificial shores and structures is happening now - unintentionally, with zero replanting.

A coral reef has settled naturally on the seawalls at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, mangroves have taken root on the artificial seawalls at Pulau Hantu - the trees are from diverse species and are tall and healthy. Seagrass meadows thrive inside the Tanah Merah artificial lagoon. And I was astonished to see a lot of corals, as well as seagrasses and other marine life at East Coast Park, on artificial reclaimed land.

Two coastal protection studies to start 2026: Sentosa and SW coast

To tackle sea-level rise, two site-specific studies on Sentosa Island and the nation’s south-west coast will begin by 2026. These are among eight islandwide studies Singapore is conducting on its coastlines to determine the most suitable coastal protection solutions for each segment.

The study on Sentosa Island will be led by Sentosa Development Corporation, which will integrate coastal protection measures in the resort island’s upcoming development plans. It will cover about 16km of the coastline and will take into account the island’s function as a leisure and tourism destination.

The study area on the south-west coast will cover about 116km of coastline and stretch from Tuas to Pasir Panjang, said national water agency PUB. The area is mainly used for waterfront industrial estates, port facilities such as Tuas Port and Pasir Panjang terminals, and recreational areas like West Coast Park.

Reclamation for a bigger Pulau Tekong

Plans to build a bigger Pulau Tekong have been in the works through a land reclamation project. 

The expansion "to stretch 10km in distance" will serve as a training area for soldiers and combat vehicles.