Kranji and Mandai shores in the 2019 Draft Master Plan

Good to see that the Plan reflects new extended Park area from Sungei Buloh to Lim Chu Kang. It also highlights the importance of Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve, the impending launch of Cashin House, as part of plans for the northern coastline to remain rustic: from Sungei Buloh to Changi.

Illustrative panel of the Greater Rustic Coast
at the Draft Master Plan exhibition. 

But the reclamation profile for Kranji and Mandai mudflats and mangroves remain unchanged.

In the news: Invasive mussels in Singapore's northern shores

The mussels we have been seeing at Kranji and the work done on them by Lim Jia Yi were featured in major mainstream media articles recently.

These articles are consolidated on wildsingapore news. Highlights include answers to these questions ...

Invasive mussels on Singapore's northern shores

Lim Jiayi has written an great paper about the invasion of mussels that I've been seeing at Kranji in Jan 2018 and Mar 2017.

What are these clams? Are they causing harm? Where did they come from? Here are some details from the abstract of this important paper.

Kranji Clamity Continues

The dense beds of mussels are still at Kranji! The situation is quite similar to what we saw in Mar 2017.

We again removed a small amount of net which had trapped some horseshoe crabs. There were still live horseshoe crabs on the shore, but they didn't look like they were doing very well.

Clams and clear water at Kranji

I was astonished to see that mussels and clams have formed dense beds over the entire shore at Kranji! This shore used to be sandy/muddy and full of anemones.

Even more astonishing, the water was super clear! Alas, we also came across a humungous abandoned net which the supergals -- Ywee Chieh and Su -- easily removed. Hurray!

Massive bright green bloom at Kranji Reservoir: what impact?

There is now a massive bloom that turned Kranji Reservoir bright green as far as I could see from the sluice gate.

I have no idea what caused it, but usually, such a phenomenon is attributed to a bloom of freshwater algae or cyanobacteria. What are the implications of such a bloom? In particular, will it affect people and marine life (and fish farming) in the Johor Strait nearby?

Dead fishes at West Johor Strait, 17-18 Jul 2016

Hundreds of dead fishes have been seen washing up at West Johor Strait over the last two days.

Most of the dead fishes were about the same size and look like the milkfish farmed by the largest fish farm in that area. Has there been another mass fish death among the fish farms in the West Johor Strait? If so, what caused it? What does this mean for public health? What can and has been done to improve ecosystem health in the area to prevent a recurrence?

Update on mass fish deaths: West Johor Strait

I've been checking our northwest hores every day from the last 5 days (since 11 Mar). I continue to see small numbers of large dead fishes: mostly market-sized farmed mullet, and some tamban and tilapia.

Is the risk of plankton bloom in the West Johor Strait over?

Dead fishes still washing up at Lim Chu Kang

At Lim Chu Kang Jetty, last night's tide had left behind more dead fishes. I checked it out at dawn and also checked out Kranji and Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve afterwards.

Not everything has died! There's still many living animals at the Reserve!

Mass fish death at Lim Chu Kang and Kranji

There are hundreds if not thousands of dead fishes floating up on the northwest shore today. From Lim Chu Kang Jetty to Kranji.

I hear some of the Western fish farmers are already suffering fish deaths.

Fishes dying at Sungei Buloh?

I smelt dead fish even from the carpark of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Extension this afternoon. I headed out to the coastal boardwalk near the Kranji sluice gate where the smell was strongest but couldn't find many large fishes.

Shortly after I got home, someone shared a sighting of more dead fishes today at this location too.

Mandai and Kranji mangroves to be fenced

Fences will be built on the landward side of Mandai and Kranji mangroves. Probably similar to the ones built along northern Pulau Ubin.

Tall fence that rings Pulau Ubin's northern shoreline

Why are the fences being built? What will be impact on the mangroves and shores there?

Lots of dead farmed fishes at Lim Chu Kang, and now also at Kranji

More dead farm fishes washing up at Lim Chu Kang this morning.

I also saw dead farm fishes washing up at Kranji Reservoir Park.

More Beccari hunting from Kranji

Rare seagrasses are still there, on the other side of Sungei Mandai Besar!

Along the way, I checked on the narrow strip of mangroves growing behind the heavy industries located near the shore.

Kranji, less trashy?

I had a quick look at the trash situation along the narrow strip of mangroves growing behind the heavy industries located near the Kranji shore. This is what I saw today

This is what I saw at the same spot in Feb 2011.

Mangrove and freshwater bryozoans on Singapore's northern shores

A large team explores Lim Chu Kang mangroves to find the intriguing amphibious bryozoans that Dr Dennis has told us about during the Bryozoans and Hydroids Workshop.

We also stopped by Kranji Dam to find freshwater bryozoans. We had a great time with astonishing finds!

Checking up on Kranji mangroves

There's a thin sliver of mangroves at Kranji behind heavy industrial sites. I wondered how it is doing since I last visited in Feb 2011.

So I headed out this sunny morning to the mangroves overlooking Johor Baru across the Johor Strait. Alas, there's still a lot of rubbish on this shore.

Angry about litter on our shores? DO something!

Here's a chance for you to take the lead on marine litter. International Coastal Cleanup Singapore is looking for volunteer coordinators for this year's clean up.

Sign up and make a difference for awful situations. Like this one that I saw at Kranji today.

Bivalve Workshop at Kranji with horseshoe crab rescue

The Bivalve Workshop heads out to the mudflats of Kranji early this morning to look for mangrove and mud clams! They were kind enough to let me join them.

We had lots of muddy fun! But sadly also came across an abandoned driftnet full of horseshoe crabs.

Elevating the mangroves with Rick

I learnt a lot of new things about mangroves from Rick! He's doing an important study of  Mandai mangroves and I was thrilled to have a chance to 'help' out yesterday.

I also had little outings to some other mangrove spots during this period of no-low-spring-tides.