Reefs on Ferry Terminal seawall doing well

Today, a small team returns to survey the amazing coral reef that has settled naturally on the seawalls of Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Lush seagrasses also settled naturally in the artificial lagoon next to the Ferry terminal.

This shore was impacted by mass coral bleaching and the 400tonne Pasir Panjang oil spill in 2024. Today, the corals seem to be getting back to normal, while seagrasses are doing well. We also saw a variety of marine life from signs of otters, to many kinds of sea anemones.

A restricted East Coast Park site survives the Pasir Panjang oil spill

Corals have settled on a 2.5km long seawall at East Coast Park stretching to Marina Bay! Seagrass meadows carpet the lagoon behind the seawall, while mangroves settled on the breakwaters. Our last survey was in Jun 2024, just two weeks after the 400tonne Pasir Panjang oil spill on 14 Jun 2024. It was also at the height of ongoing mass coral bleaching. 

The team braced for a sad situation, so we were delighted to see that the corals, mangroves and seagrasses seem to have pulled through these events! In fact, we have our first sighting of Fern seagrass outside their northern stronghold of Changi to Chek Jawa! Thanks for permission from agencies to survey this shore.

Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal after mass bleaching

Today, a small team returns to survey the amazing coral reef that has settled naturally on the seawalls of Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

This shore was impacted by mass coral bleaching last year, and also the 400tonne Pasir Panjang oil spill on 14 Jun 2024. Although we didn't see any bleaching corals, I sense many corals didn't make it.

Mass coral bleaching at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal

Today, a small team returns to survey the amazing coral reef that has settled naturally on the seawalls of Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. There were lush seagrasses on the shore next to the Ferry terminal. 

Sadly, we saw signs of oil on the shores and also extensive mass coral bleaching (about 30%) and coral deaths (about 20%). But otters were seen and the seagrasses seem alright.

Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal corals and seagrasses thrive!

Today, a small team returns to survey the amazing coral reef that has settled naturally on the seawalls of Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. There were lush seagrasses on the shore next to the Ferry terminal. I saw otters, while the rest of the team saw a shark, a large puffer and other large fishes.

We restarted surveying this shore in Jun 2022 after a break of nearly ten years. This shore is now strictly off limits without a permit. We surveyed with permission from agencies kindly arranged by NParks and support from the Ferry Terminal.

Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal corals are still alive!

Today, a small team returns to survey the amazing coral reef that has settled naturally on the seawalls of Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. We last surveyed this shore in 2013. 

Besides the amazing corals at the Ferry Terminal, there were lush seagrasses on the shore next to the Ferry terminal with all kinds of animals. We also encountered otters, saw a stonefish, and a large ray.

Eastern shores in the 2019 Draft Master Plan

Plans for 'Changi City' may impact corals reefs and seagrass meadows that have settled on the artificial shores at Tanah Merah and East Coast Park. This shore is probably already impacted by massive new reclamation, currently ongoing.

But such plans may also be an opportunity to incorporate and nurture the amazing marine life that is already found there.

Coastal works near Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal continue

This artificial shore is teeming with marine life. The seawalls at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is encrusted with living reefs full of corals and reef life. Seagrasses have settled naturally on the artificial sandy shores behind the seawalls.

An amazing coral reef has settled naturally
on the seawalls at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Jun 2013.

We no longer regularly survey these sites because the shores near Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal are now off limits and trespassers will be arrested, such as this incident in Nov 2013. We require a permit to do our surveys so these are done only once a year now. The works started in Oct 2015 and there were signs in Mar 2015 that this shore might be impacted by coastal works. There are also signs that the area near the SAF Yacht Club may be affected by development.

Seagrasses taking over sandy artificial shores!

The artificial sandy shores of East Coast Park and nearby Tanah Merah are being colonised by lush seagrasses!

This morning we discovered possibly the largest patch of Noodle seagrass on the mainland, as well as many kinds of seagrasses. The sandy shores were also alive with rare snails.

Coastal works planned for reefs and living shores at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal?

Another artificial shore teeming with marine life may be impacted by coastal works. The seawalls at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is encrusted with living reefs full of corals and reef life. Seagrasses have settled naturally on the artificial sandy shores behind the seawalls.

An amazing coral reef has settled naturally
on the seawalls at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Jun 2013.

It appears that works are planned for this area. We no longer regularly survey these sites because the shores near Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal are now off limits and trespassers will be arrested, such as this incident in Nov 2013. We require a permit to do our surveys so these are done only once a year now.

Living reefs and shores at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal

Amazing corals, seagrasses and other marine life have settled on the artificial shores near Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

At sunrise, a small team head out to survey the situation. On our way home, from the car the team spotted 3 otters in the canal near the Terminal!

Pulau Ubin and northern shores in the Draft Master Plan 2013

What's new to me is the "Northern boardwalk" at Pulau Ubin. Also that the area managed by "Outward Bound Singapore will be opened up for organised visits".

It was reassuring to read that the planners acknowledge Pulau Ubin is "much beloved by Singaporeans" and "will remain as a rustic retreat". Coney Island Park is announced and it appears that there are no changes planned for Pasir Ris mangroves and Changi beach.

Special fiddler crab at Tanah Merah

Pei Yan spotted this fiddler crab wandering slowly on the seawall!

Other highlights include Saron shrimps, colourful hermit crabs and more. Amazing for an artificial shore that was hit by a massive oil spill in 2010.

National Day Rally speech and Singapore's shores

What are the possible impacts of developments revealed in PM Lee's National Day Rally Speech last night?

Amazing living reefs at Kusu Island, just 15mins
from the Central Business District, photo taken in Jun 2012.

Although there is always a concern that developments may impact existing marine life, this is also an opportunity to consider construction that would encourage marine life to settle naturally on artificial structures.

Wet recce trip at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal

Despite the ferocious wet weather, a brave team of volunteers gathered for a recce walk at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

With a happy crab drawn by Chay Hoon!

We saw all kinds of interesting animals including a fish we haven't seen before.

Natural reefs on artificial seawalls with OTTERS!

Today, a few of us are exploring the amazing reef that has settled naturally on the artificial seawalls at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.

I saw lots of amazing corals, and also visited the seagrass meadows nearby. And otters were sighted!

Tanah Merah's artificial shores are alive!

Coral reefs, living sandy shores and seagrass meadows have settled on artificial shores at Tanah Merah. These have even survived the massive oil spill in 2010. I went to have a quick at these shores today.

Looks like a Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator) had already checked out the shore!

Tanah Merah shores still alive!

Hit by the massive oil spill in May 2010, this shore is still alive! There are lots of Haddon's carpet anemones (Stichodactyla haddoni) in a large and growing patch of Ribbon seagrasses at Tanah Merah.

Kok Sheng also spotted nudibranchs, a stonefish and other marine life.

Seagrassy with nudi at Tanah Merah

How nice to come across this tiny nudibranch (Gymnodoris sp.) at Tanah Merah, which was hit by a massive oil spill in May 2010. It's been four months since we last checked up on this shore.

We saw other slugs, the seagrasses are doing very well, corals seem good and there were lots of fishes too.

Stonefish and slug at Tanah Merah

How nice to see this pretty nudibranch (Glossodoris atromarginata) on Tanah Merah. The last time we saw this was before the shore was hit by an oil spill in May 2010.

Since the spill, I've been visiting every month or so, to check up on these shores. I still saw many corals, none of them bleaching. Sea stars too, THREE stonefishes and other interesting marine life.