Speech by SMS Desmond Lee at the Launch of the "Plant-A-Coral, Seed-A-Reef" programme
May 21, 2016
Good to see so many familiar faces here on a Saturday morning. Thank you for joining me this morning at the Marine Park Outreach and Education Centre here on St. John’s Island.
Singapore’s rich marine biodiversity
I have been to Sisters’ Islands a number of times, especially in recent years.
a. The boat ride is always enjoyable, with a fantastic view of our Southern islands and the horizon.
Our rich marine biodiversity is something that makes us special.
a. Our waters cover less than 1% of the world’s surface area, yet we are home to more than 250 species of hard corals, or around one-third of the world’s total.
b. There are also 100 species of reef fish, and about 200 species of sponges within Singapore’s waters.
c. We may be small, but we are large in our marine richness.
d. And all of this, in some of the busiest shipping waterways in the world.
New plans for Sisters’ Islands Marine Park
To conserve our marine natural heritage, we announced plans for a new marine park around Sisters’ Islands and along the western reefs of St. John’s Island and Pulau Tekukor in 2014.
a. The Sisters’ Islands Marine Park anchors the outreach, education, conservation and research on Singapore’s native marine life.
b. Since then, we have launched guided walks, dive trails and the gallery that you would have passed by on the way to this room, to encourage a deeper appreciation of Singapore’s marine biodiversity.
But this Marine Park is still a work-in-progress.
a. Over the last year, we have been actively consulting various stakeholders to explore sustainable ways to conserve the habitats in Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, while providing more outreach and educational activities for the public.
b. Conservation is important, but conservation alone is not sufficient. We must complement it with education and outreach, and to touch as many people as possible.
c. Some of you here have given us valuable feedback and ideas, and we have worked with the consultant to pay close attention to those areas.
d. We will continue to enhance the Marine Park in a sensitive manner to fulfil its functions.
Today, I’m pleased to unveil new plans for Sisters’ Islands Marine Park.
a. First, I will update you on enhancements to the Marine Park.
b. And then, I will share with you a new programme that we are launching at the Park.
c. There will be something for everyone – for families, nature lovers, researchers, and our marine life.
Big Sister’s Island
Let me start with Big Sister’s Island.
For families and nature lovers, Big Sister’s Island will be the gateway to the Marine Park. We will provide more opportunities for Singaporeans to experience close-up encounters with marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
a. For example, a floating pontoon with viewing panels at the base will be installed at the jetty. Visitors will be able to observe marine life such as coral, sea fans and anemones from the pontoon.
b. We will also establish intertidal pools to enrich existing biodiversity in the marine habitats. These units create an environment similar to natural rock pools, providing additional hiding places for marine organisms, as well as more opportunities for visitors to view them at low tide.
c. To protect the intertidal marine ecosystems, we will provide a boardwalk along the lagoon. This will allow visitors to enjoy views of the scenic coastline and get a closer look at the coastal flora and fauna, while minimising any impact to the environment.
d. You can also expect new forest trails inland, where you can explore the island and go bird-watching.
Small Sister’s Island
Moving on to Small Sister’s Island, this will serve as a dedicated site for marine conservation research, with facilities to promote species recovery and habitat enhancement.
a. We will establish a coral nursery to collect hard corals found in Singapore waters. The nursery will provide a protected and controlled environment for rarer corals that are threatened by coral bleaching.
b. In addition, we will develop Singapore’s first turtle hatchery, established through a $500,000 donation by HSBC. The hatchery will provide a safe refuge for rescued turtle eggs from other coastal areas of Singapore. The facility will also provide research opportunities to study local sea turtle populations.
c. We will also set aside coastal plant conservation areas featuring around 30 coastal plant species for research and conservation purposes.
d. For schools and organisations, we will facilitate visits to learn about marine research and conservation initiatives in our waters.
Launch of Plant-A-Coral, Seed-A-Reef Programme
In addition to enhancing the facilities at the Marine Park, we aim to build up a community for the Marine Park. The Marine Park is meant for Singaporeans, and we hope our people will love it, grow it and take ownership of it.
a. Now everyone can join this community through a new programme that we are launching this morning under the Garden City Fund. This is the new “Plant-A-Coral, Seed-A-Reef” Programme.
b. Through this programme, individuals and organisations can actively participate and sponsor our habitat enhancement efforts for the marine park.
c. I would like to thank HSBC, in addition to supporting our turtle hatchery, for fully supporting the first phase of the Seed-A-Reef initiative. As the first corporation to partner us for this initiative, they have donated $180,000 for nine Reef Enhancement Units.
d. These Reef Enhancement Units are artificial structures for transplanted corals and marine organisms to grow and for reef fish to seek refuge.
Above all, I hope that you will be inspired to do even more for our marine biodiversity and natural heritage. They may not be visible from where you live, work and play, but they are around our waters. They make Singapore that much more rich and special and it is our responsibility to protect them.
a. Over the years, NParks has engaged and shared with the public about responsible park etiquette in our Marine Park, such as not to fish or poach, but we need your help to spread awareness too.
b. With the Marine Park community, everyone can better help safeguard our marine life.
c. Whether we are being mindful about not leaving any rubbish behind, keeping to designated trails, or taking care not to damage the environment – we all can play a part in the conservation of Singapore’s rich marine biodiversity.
Conclusion
Once again, thank you for being here with us today. I wish everyone an enjoyable morning here at St. John’s Island.