Long Island: NParks to study fish on reclaimed shores

As preparatory works for the Long Island start in end-2026, NParks announced a study of fish on reclaimed shores. Initiated in 2025, expected to span 3 years, official start date not revealed. 

HDB said “Given the mobility of fish and the availability of habitats outside of the work areas (of the Long Island preparatory works), the impact on fish is assessed to be temporary and localised.”

Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum's senior collection manager of fishes Tan Heok Hui said there will not be enough time for the NParks study to document comprehensively the existing biodiversity at Bedok Jetty. He noted no proper baseline surveys currently exist for the East Coast area. And existing impact assessments often overlook less mobile, bottom-dwelling or burrowing organisms. Because the entire East Coast is already on reclaimed land, it is technically considered of lower ecological importance compared with pristine marine habitats. 

Four anglers in their 20s formed a fish interest group to document the species at fishing hot spot Bedok Jetty before works start. Student Lin Jiayuan, 24, and three of his friends founded the Ichthyological Society of Singapore on July 6. The group, which has grown to more than 80 members, aims to document the biodiversity that remains along the Republic’s rapidly developing coastlines.

Sentosa Tg Rimau: EIA on slope stabilisation works

Work will begin in 2027 across a 400m stretch of Sentosa Tanjong Rimau. This include "a few hundred XblocPlus blocks, each weighing about a tonne, to be placed at three sites". The EIA found that more than 12 per cent of seagrass meadows may be lost. Soft, sandy and seagrass habitats are likely to transform into artificial hard, rocky habitats at the locations of the XblocPlus.

Muhammad Nasry Abdul Nasir, executive director of Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity said: “If you’re protecting an existing seawall or a reclaimed shoreline with little ecological value, (adding XblocPlus) for habitat complexity is a no brainer. But Rimau is not a blank canvas; there’s a lot of life there. Are there alternatives we can consider that are less drastic in terms of reshaping the shore, that can still provide the coastal resilience we are looking for?”

“While stabilising the slopes is necessary to prevent progressive collapse (of the cliff), the approach should minimise impacts to Tanjong Rimau’s biodiversity,” said Lester Tan, chairman of Nature Society Singapore’s Marine Conservation Group. “I’m always in favour of not changing one habitat to another. There could be a loss of connectivity,”

Read the full EIA on the Sentosa website.

Send your feedback here https://form.gov.sg/6a20d00d14f841cbd5b20469

Related blog post: Sentosa Tg. Rimau: Interlocking 1-tonne blocks to be deployed

Terumbu Hantu in the face of Sudong reclamation

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

Today we survey within sight of the ongoing massive reclamation on Pulau Sudong. We are relieved to see the corals are still doing well. The rest of the team make all the special finds, I will update later.

Responses to preparatory work for Long Island

The Preparatory works for Long Island will involve removal of seabed obstructions, construction of temporary sand bunds and sand infilling. Phase 1 will begin end-2026, while Phase 2 will take place after the end of the SEA Games 2029. East Coast shores are alive with sea turtles, fish and corals and seagrasses have settled naturally on the artificial lagoons and sea walls.

Ang Qing reports that scientists, nature groups and anglers have raised concerns about potential blind spots. Some stakeholders shared concerns about the speed of the planning process. They were surprised by the announcement, as authorities had previously stated that technical studies for the multi-decade project would only conclude around 2029.

Ang Qing says "the four-week public feedback window on the study that ends on July 28 will be a major test of process. Time will tell how much of a difference community feedback can actually make when a mega-project’s timeline appears to be set in stone."

Share your feedback here https://form.gov.sg/675fc8ff28a3ca9ebd83c21b

Media articles and press releases on the Preparatory works for Long Island including EIA

Long tape seagrasses at Sentosa Palawan

There is a patch of long Tape seagrass growing at Sentosa Palawan! A nice surprise to see on an artificial beach and 'islet' facing the busy port! Sentosa is indeed a precious refuge for seagrasses and rare mangrove trees.

Over the weekend, the survey team and I also checked out the Great Sentosa exhibition at Vivocity. Once completed, Greater Sentosa is projected to attract about double the current 17 million visitors a year. I do hope our marine life will be given a chance to be a part of this Greater Sentosa. So hopefully it won't come to a point where we can only see Sentosa's rare plants and animals in a glass jar. 

More of my thoughts on Greater Sentosa at the end of this post. Which I have submitted as my feedback to the Greater Sentosa masterplan. Submit your feedback too here https://form.gov.sg/6a44c40969c66ca0ff78bbc6

Your feedback sought for preparatory work for Long Island

Preparatory works will involve removal of seabed obstructions, construction of temporary sand bunds and sand infilling. Phase 1 will begin end-2026, while Phase 2 will take place after the end of the SEA Games 2029. 

An Environmental Impact Assessment indicates up to minor impact on some terrestrial and marine biodiversity. Some coral and seagrass beds found near the work site may experience short-term and localised impact from the sediment plumes. However, the majority of coral and seagrass in the vicinity, including Sisters’ Island Marine Park, are largely unaffected.

The area that is used for preparatory works is not reflective of the future land profile of ‘Long Island’. 

This project will span a few decades, agencies will continue to engage Singaporeans and stakeholders to shape the plans and design for ‘Long Island’ at various stages of the planning process in the years ahead. 

Share your feedback here https://form.gov.sg/675fc8ff28a3ca9ebd83c21b

Full EIA available on the HDB website here

Sentosa Tg. Rimau: Interlocking 1-tonne blocks to be deployed

"A few hundred" one-tonne concrete blocks (XblocPlus) will be deployed at Sentosa Tanjung Rimau's natural cliffs. The interlocking blocks will be placed “at the toe of the slope to mitigate wave erosion". PUB said the location was identified together with Sentosa Development Corporation which is planning to do slope stabilisation works there.

"The blocks’ high porosity will also provide safe havens for marine life while effectively dissipating wave energy." This project will mark local construction firm Woh Hup Engineering’s first foray into the coastal protection industry, with the goal of ensuring the product is cost-effective enough for nationwide use.

Sentosa Tg Rimau has among our last natural cliffs with natural rocky shores. A natural coastal forest cloaks the cliff. Hardy plants grow here. Sentosa's coastal forest has some of the last of Singapore's now rare coastal plants.

Among them is Nyireh laut which is Critically Endangered in Singapore and we probably have less than 10 trees on our shores. On our last survey in Jan 2026, the mother tree looks a little less leafy, but otherwise seems okay. Her oldest Daughter no. 1 next to her is still alright with fresh green leaves. The next younger Daughter no. 2 growing near the pill box is growing tall with fresh green leaves. Daughter no. 3 which I last saw as a sapling in Apr 2014 has grown really tall with fresh green leaves. Today, I managed a look at her trunk! And Nasry pointed out what could be Daughter no. 4 nearby!

Terumbu Raya in the face of Sudong reclamation

We return to Terumbu Raya East for the first time in 4 years! Although it lies just off the petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom it is still very much alive. With sprinkles of corals and seagrasses.

The rest of the team saw sharks, sea turtles, special anemones and other marine life.

Lianhe Zaobao features Marina Bay mangroves

In response to Lianhe Zaobao, Dr. Karen, Senior Director of the National Biodiversity Centre of the National Parks Board, said that the authorities are aware of this mangrove forest and conducted an on-site inspection in March this year. The authorities will study the mangrove forest in conjunction with relevant agencies when assessing development plans for the area.

Muhd Nasry, Executive Director of the Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, said, “While this mangrove forest is smaller compared to the vast mangroves of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, it’s truly amazing to see it." Nasri said that with the upcoming development of coastal protection facilities, it is crucial to arrange for engineers to conduct on-site inspections. "How to strike a balance between construction projects and maintaining biodiversity, and even fulfilling the function of seawall protection, are all issues that need to be discussed."

Google translate of the original article
滨海东填海地自然长出红树林 为长岛生态规划提供参考
by Huang Yinchuan Lianhe Zaobao June 1, 2026, 18:00

AI summary

• Mangroves have naturally grown on the reclaimed land in Binhai East, providing a reference for the ecological planning of Changdao Island.
• Mangroves have naturally grown on the reclaimed land east of the coast, including the critically endangered *Avicennia marina* and the rare *Avicennia galbana*.
• These mangroves have formed a complete ecosystem without human intervention, providing habitat for mud lobsters, hermit crabs, and other organisms.
• Environmentalists believe this phenomenon provides an ecological reference for the Long Island Project, demonstrating that artificial coastlines can become natural regeneration hotbeds.
• The mud lobster mounds confirm the mangroves' maturity, and experts are calling for engineering plans to consider both biodiversity and shoreline protection functions.
• The National Parks Board has inspected the area and will collaborate on assessing the feasibility of mangrove conservation in its development planning.

6-year study of South-west coastal protect to start

The 116km coastline study from Tuas to Pasir Panjang will be the largest coastal study to date. It is expected to take six years to develop solutions to prevent coastal and inland floods due to rising seas. The Pasir Panjang Terminal area, to be vacated by the 2040s, may be redeveloped, with potential reclamation and works on the surrounding water body. 

Checking Terumbu Bemban for impacts from the Sudong reclamation

We check up on one of our favourite sites, a submerged reef flat that is the closest to the ongoing reclamation at Pulau Sudong. What we saw suggests that there is good effort to minimise impact of the large reclamation works.

It was a relief to see healthy corals on Western Terumbu Bemban nearest to the reclamation site. There is denser growth of seagrasses here too. While the rich reefy patch on Eastern Terumbu Bemban seems to be okay. A separate team also makes our first survey of tiny Terumbu Menalung nearby. I will update later with all their observations.

Feedback on land reclamation at Keppel-Tanjong Pagar

The marine community's feedback in the Straits Time include: Dr Jani Tanzil, facility director of the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory, said reclamation poses a risk to nearby habitats such as the reefs around Sentosa. She noted that the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park and Kusu and Lazarus islands are located just 4km to 5km from the reclamation. “This is not a great distance (and) there is a good chance that finer sediments and other pollutants could be transported to and negatively impact these important key conservation areas,” added Dr Tanzil.

Dr Tanzil noted that the report did not consider how sediments in the water will block sunlight for corals, as a small reduction in light can greatly impact their survival and growth. “It is important to remember that in addition to the amount of sediments in the water, the more direct impact here is light reduction,” she said.

Ms Rachael Goh, co-lead of land use planning at environmental group LepakInSG, cautioned that the survival and success rate for transplantation may not be high, depending on various factors. “What is more important is allowing corals to come back after the reclamation is over. The sea wall or sloped rock revetment could make suitable new habitats for corals to return,” she added.

Ms Goh is hoping that the eventual environmental management and monitoring programme for this project will be made public.

Mr Isaac Ong, a member of the Singapore Youth Voices for Biodiversity, urged the authorities to consider the cumulative effects of future developments on the south-eastern coast, including the construction of Long Island and the coastal barriers near Sentosa. Mr Ong said: “Singapore’s reefs have also experienced stress from sedimentation from decades of past coastal development, which already limited the depth ranges at which corals can grow. This is an added pressure.” The proposed coastal barriers have the potential to alter tidal flows and the movement of coral larvae. Reduced channel speeds at times could also increase the risk of harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality over time, he added.

Submit your feedback to HDB here https://form.gov.sg/6966fc4e7c5fe159af98b799

Links to full EIA and extracts in this blog post.

EIA for land reclamation at Keppel-Tanjong Pagar

Reclamation will take place after end of 2027. "As construction activities for the Project are not confirmed at this stage, the worst-case scenarios in terms of potential impacts were identified and assessed within this study."

Shores nearby include Sentosa (Serapong and Tg Rimau), Labrador, P. Tekukor, Kusu Island, Seringat Kias and Lazarus, St. John's Island. And Marina East.

HDB wants your feedback https://form.gov.sg/6966fc4e7c5fe159af98b799

'Preparatory Works' to start for Long Island

Agencies are planning preparatory works, which includes removing seabed obstructions and movement of materials into the waters. This is done progressively ahead of the main reclamation works, to ensure timely completion of reclamation works for ‘Long Island’. These preparatory works will not lock in the plans for ‘Long Island’ and will not involve reclamation works. 

East Coast reclamation in 1972, from the URA Long Island website.

The plans and design for ‘Long Island’ will only be finalised after the full findings of technical studies, mitigation measures and feedback from further public engagements have been taken onboard. Reclamation works will begin thereafter.

Share your feedback and indicate interest for future engagements here.

Coastal Protection Bill passed into law

The new law affects about 100 landowners who occupy 30% of private land along the coast. Mostly shipyards and ports, and oil and gas and manufacturing companies, at Jurong Island and the industrial estates of Tuas, Pioneer and Senoko. Studies for the north-west stretches are expected to be done by 2026, while studies for Jurong Island and the south-west coast will be completed by 2030. 

The law also gives PUB the powers to designate nature spots such as parks and beaches as areas that can be flooded temporarily, especially during extreme high tides and storm surge events. This ensures that nature spots will not be permanently walled up, and marine habitats like seagrass meadows, mangroves and intertidal zones can be preserved. For instance, the recommendation for Changi Beach Park was for a raised platform – such as a bund – to be built farther inland to ensure access to the beach. This means the beach will be left to flood temporarily during extreme weather events.

Pulau Sudong reclamation to relocate noisy RSAF training away from mainland?

An article by Alert 5, a military aviation news site, has insightful details behind the ongoing Pulau Sudong reclamation.

From Port Marine Notice No. 133 of 2025, dated 08 Oct 2025

The article suggests extending the existing Pulau Sudong runway to 3 km, will enable the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) to conduct noisy F-35B landing training at the offshore location. Noise from F-35B short take-off and vertical-landing fighter aircraft has already prompted Japan to relocate training to remote sites. The first of Singapore's F-35s will arrive in Tengah airbase in 2029. The Sudong reclamation is scheduled for completion by 2028.

The Sudong extention will also allow other RSAF fixed-wing aircraft to conduct practice landings that are presently carried out at Tengah and Paya Lebar airbases, both surrounded by residential neighborhoods which have increasingly complained about jet noise. 

The current 2km runway at Pulau Sudong functions primarily as an emergency landing point for fighter aircraft. However, the limited runway length means that fighter aircraft landing there in an emergency may require the use of Mobile Aircraft Arrestor Systems installed on both ends of the runway to stop the aircraft in time. The extended 3km runway will provide emergency landing capability for fighters and larger aircraft types with a longer distance for aircraft to decelerate safely, negating the need to deploy the arrestor systems in most situations.

It also provides operational flexibility as the RSAF manages the transition associated with Paya Lebar’s eventual decommissioning after 2030 and Tengah’s expansion.

Lost Coast dying as ongoing reclamation expands

This vast sandy shore is a habitat that is now rare in Singapore (thus 'lost') and home to animals that we seldom see on our other shores. This reclaimed shore in Changi East was in the past, remote and difficult to reach; thus 'lost' in yet another sense. In 2022, it was announced that this entire area will be totally reclaimed again; so it will likely be permanently lost forever. This area is strictly off limits without a permit. We surveyed with permission from various agencies kindly arranged by NParks.

The vast shore is clearly dying. Seagrasses have practically disappeared, animals in lower numbers and diversity than we have seen in the past. Ongoing reclamation on the eastern horizon is more obvious and active. We don't know if we can even see this shore again in our next annual survey cycle.

Is Beting Bemban Besar impacted by the Sudong reclamation?

As evening low tides start, we survey the north-western portion of Beting Bemban Besar, one of our largest submerged reefs. This area faces the ongoing 31ha Pulau Sudong reclamation.

At sunset, I saw some dugong feeding trails! There seagrasses were heavily covered in epiphytes. Corals seemed alright though they seem to be in better condition further away from Sudong. The rest of the team saw special corals, a Giant clam, sea stars, 'Nemos', other reef fishes and other interesting marine life. 

North-West coastal protection: public engagement

PUB shared their proposal for the Sungei Buloh area to be allowed to be temporarily flooded during extreme weather events. This can help to preserve mangroves lining the north-west coast. Mr Isaac Ong, the programme head for nature group Singapore Youth for Biodiversity who attended the dialogue, said "I don't think that there should be necessarily an over-engineering of solutions. And I think working with nature instead of working against it is ideal". 

50 people attended the PUB dialogue to engage the public on rising sea levels in the long term. They include communities that frequent the area: cyclists, anglers, nature enthusiasts. As well as engineers, business owners. One participant called for consideration of the fishing community, to loud cheers from fellow anglers in the room.

Studies for the northwest coast are making "steady progress" and are expected to complete in one to two years.

800ha reclaimed at Pulau Tekong using poldering method

Addressing the Tekong polder’s environmental impacts, HDB said it had tasked an independent consultant to study the project’s effects and minimise damage. Taking in nature group feedback and the National Parks Board’s input, arborists identified and transplanted endangered plant species to other places like Pulau Ubin. HDB said surveys of nearby habitats showed that there were no significant changes to these habitats before and after construction of the land reclamation project. They cited how similar species of flora and fauna such as sea grapes, sea stars and sea sponges continue to be observed in the area.

The natural shores nearest Pulau Tekong is Beting Bronok, which we survey every year. Despite the ongoing reclamation works on Pulau Tekong, and flaring at Penggerang Johor, it remains alive, but seems to be dying slowly over the years. 

The small patch rich with delicate colourful animals waxes and wanes through the years, but have never regained their former glory. Seagrasses are taking over as much of the shore has become very soft and silty. Here's our last survey in Jun 2025.