MARINE CONSTRUCTION WORKS AT RECLAIMED LAND SOUTH OF PULAU ULAR
from PORT MARINE NOTICE NO. 75 of 2008 31 March 2008
This is a revision of PMN No. 48 of 2008 (posted on wildfilms). The working area has been revised and work period extended.
With effect from 07 Apr 08 to 06 Oct 08, At Pulau Ular, Pulau Busing and Pulau Bukom Kechil, within a working area bounded by the following co-ordinates (see attached plan)
Construction of unloading quay and ro-ro ramp will be carried out at the southern shoreline of the newly reclaimed areas of Pulau Ular, Pulau Bukom Kechil and Pulau Busing. Safety and security boats will be deployed in the vicinity of the working areas to warn other craft of the project works.
Further enquiries relating to the project can be directed to Mr Francis Malone, project coordinator, at Tel No: 9631 4887, email: francis.malone@nl.abb.com.
[wildfilms note: Pulau Hantu is a wonderful wild reef. This beautiful cuttlefish was taken recently at Pulau Hantu, on the colourful clouds blog. Latests sightings on dives there on the hantu blog]
Mar 31, 2008
Marine construction off Pulau Hantu
Mar 30, 2008
Chek Jawa boardwalk with Outward Bound Singapore: Part 2
Was off bright and early to Pulau Ubin with the Naked Hermit Crabs to introduce Chek Jawa to another group of enthusiastic Outward Bound Singapore trainers.
Again, showing what a lively group photo should look like!
Wow, they're really ON, writing even on the bumboat there.
We stopped first for the obligatory Sunday-Only Lontong at Pak Ali's shop, and then headed straight out to Chek Jawa.
I was really lucky Marcus and Chay Hoon were with us today to help introduce the Boardwalk. The two of them captivated the group with their stories.
And everyone took copious notes!
We came across a figging fig tree (no, not being rude..the fig tree was figging and thus attracting lots of birds!)
It was hot, but we did everything thoroughly. And even saw lots of shorebirds including Whimbrels and the Great Billed Heron.
After we ended the walk, they shared their thoughts in the Naked Hermit Crab guestbook.
More about what they shared in the Naked Guestbook on the adventures with the naked hermit crabs blog.
Then we were off back to Ubin Town for lunch.
As we passed Ubin Green House, all of them decided to have a look at the House run by the Green Volunteers Network. Grace was there to give everyone a personal tour.
We saw the amazing use of recycled products.
The solar tube used to bring daylight into the room.
Cards that newly weds can place at their banquet to explain why they are not serving sharks' fins.
Paintings done by elephants!
Cool stuff made from elephant poo-poo! (Elephants can be viewed as natural producers of paper mache)
And among the many awards, a star (made of plastic, not a real one) given to the Singapore Environment Council for support for Chek Jawa.
After a quick lunch, it was time to run the end-of-the-month public walk on the Chek Jawa boardwalk with the Naked Hermit Crabs.
I had a great group with me, Johan and family from Belgium and Alex Chai and family.
Although the tide was high, we had great fun exploring the shores!
Lots of photos of what we saw on the walk, and what they visitors shared in the Naked Hermit Crab guestbook on the adventures with the naked hermit crabs blog.
Wow, that was a really packed day, and weekend! But it was great to share Chek Jawa with so many people.
Mar 29, 2008
Wild Animals of Singapore book launch
I rushed over after the Chek Jawa trip to catch the launch of this much awaited book by Nick Baker and Kelvin Lim.
And what a fabulous book it is!
The book features our native vertebrates (of which I'm greatly ignorant, being more focused in spineless marine creatures). There's an introduction to the habitats, as well as background on extinctions and alien species. There's also tips on how to observe wildlife, with special mention about snakes, lots of information about our nature places and gardens with a map.
And of course, gorgeous photos of our vertebrates and lots of details about them! The book includes freshwater fishes, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
There's awesome information such as tadpoles of our native frogs.
and amazing action photos of our wildlife!
Some beloved animals of ours.
And some little known and intriguing ones.
There's also a very useful checklist of native and introduced vertebrates.
WOW! I salute the team who toiled for four years to put together this gold mine of information. The book will no doubt be treasured by nature enthusiasts, as well as inspire others to learn more about and appreciate our native wildlife.
Congratulations everyone!This wonderful book can be purchased from the Nature Society (Singapore) as well as Nature's Niche at S$29.95.
Here's a write up of the book on the Nature's Niche website:
"Four years in the making this brand new stunning book is completed. It is the most comprehensive account of Singapore's wild animals ever produced in one volume. Compiled by a dedicated and experienced group of wildlife experts within the Nature Society of Singapore, it describes and illustrates 38 mammals, 50 snakes and 37 other reptiles, 25 frogs and toads, and 30 freshwater fishes. The brilliant habitat photographs are all taken on location. Additional chapters show how and where to find wildlife, complete checklists are included listing all species ever recorded from the country."
More details of the book:
At the event, I was also given the latest issue of Nature Watch: it features our shores! (as well as the lovely Teresa Teo Guttensohn on the cover).
Chek Jawa boardwalk with Outward Bound Singapore: Part 1
Today, I was out with the Naked Hermit Crabs to introduce the Chek Jawa Boardwalk to an outstanding bunch of programme managers from Outward Bound Singapore.
The exuberant team has set a new standard for lively photos! And what a delight they were to be with.
We started the day with a live demonstration of rubber tapping by driver Ah Ha.
And almost immediately were immersed in exploring this fascinating trail, starting with civet cat poo! The animated and interested group made it really fun to share the boardwalk. Everything from roots and leaves, to flatworms and tadpoles were closely examined.
And various references frequently explored as well.
Towards the end of the walk, there was excited pointing.
At first I thought it was the extremely long Tongkat Ali that was of interest (at the right most on the photo). But no, it was an enormous gathering of Cotton Stainer bugs!
At the end of the walk, the team shared their thoughts for the Naked Hermit Crab guestbook. These thoughts were the most profound we have ever received!
More about what we saw and did on the Naked Hermit Crab blog. And the thoughts shared in the Naked Guestbook.
On the way home, as the bumboat drove behind a very large passing ship, Choon pointed out the terns flying along the wake.
Wow! I've never noticed this before.
The flock of birds did this only for a while, before flying back towards Loyang. Amazing! What a great sighting. I must observe this more closely the next time we go to and from Ubin. Indeed, I learn something new on every trip to the shore!
Alas, at the mouth of Changi Creek, dredging is ongoing, again.
Apparently, the bumboat operator said the earlier dredging did not work because the wake from the passing bumboats washed the sediments back into the channel. 
So now, they are trying to do something else involving building some sort of wall...oh dear.
There are some good rich shores near Changi Creek. Let's hope the activities don't impact these shores too badly.
Mar 26, 2008
Dredging and works near Cyrene Reef
DREDGING AND CONSTRUCTION OF BERTHS (P12 TO P18) AND STACKING/STORAGE YARDS AT PASIR PANJANG TERMINAL
from PORT MARINE NOTICE NO. 72 of 2008 26 March 2008
This is a revision of Port Marine Notice No 192 of 2007. The work scope has been revised and work period extended.
With effect from 07 Apr 08 to 06 Oct 08, at Pasir Panjang Terminal, within a working area bounded by the following co-ordinates (see attached plan)
24 hours daily including Sundays and Public Holidays.
Dredging works will be carried out within the working area by grab dredger held by 4-point anchor moorings with a circular safety working zone of 50-metre radius centred at the dredger. Construction works will also be carried out within the same working area which entailed piling of the decking structure, revetment works, soil investigation works and installation of the marine fendering system and bollards. The crane barge and grab dredgers will be held by 4-point anchoring systems. Soil Investigation works will be carried out by a crane barge. A safety boat will be deployed to warn other craft of the project work area.
Further enquiries relating to the operation can be directed to Mr N Yambao, the
project manager, at Tel: 6773 0978, email: ppttoaqaqc@toacorp.com.sg.
wildfilms note: This area is near Cyrene Reef, as indicated in this larger map taken from Port Marine Notice No. 66 of 2008
There are also currently other marine works in this vicinity:
ROCK-FILLING OPERATIONS IN WEST KEPPEL FAIRWAY
PORT MARINE NOTICE No. 71 of 2008 25 March 2008
RECLAMATION WORKS IN AYER MERBAU BASIN
PORT MARINE NOTICE NO. 62 of 2008 13 March 2008
Introducing Semakau shores to youths from around the world!
This morning was spent on Pulau Semakau with an amazing group of youths from around the world!
These included the Duke University students, and a group of Commonwealth Asia Region youths visiting for a Climate Change workshop hosted by the National Youth Council (NYC). And of course Dr Dan and Dr Stan, as well as some staff from NYC, and a lovely surprise, Mr Roger Nielsen from Impact Development Training.
We were a little late because of engine trouble with our boat. But this resulted in a switch to the fabulous VIP boat with an open deck! How exciting!
This trip came about in a rather convoluted way.
I am on the National Youth Council, and was asked to host the Commonwealth event which coincidentally included a visit Semakau on the same day that I was scheduled to visit Semakau with Dr Dan and his students from Duke University. I thought it would be great if we could combine the two trips so everyone could get to know one another! Dr Dan thought so too!
As it was a weekday, the regular Semakau guides were unavailable. Fortunately, the Naked Hermit Crabs kindly stepped up to guide this large group of very interested visitors!
In addition, there was also a film crew along with us to film November who (together with Ivan, unfortunately unavailable for today's trip) would be featured on the Rouge talkshow hosted by Eunice Olsen this weekend!
So it was a very exciting group to bring to the shores!
After a quick walk through the forested portion of this natural part of Pulau Semakau...
We soon encountered all manner of interesting creatures on this living shore.
It was wonderful sharing our favourite shore with new friends. And learning from them too about their shores.
Visitors were thrilled by our Common sea stars, Noble volutes, swimming crabs, hairy crabs, various kinds of nudibranchs, fanworms, flatworms, corals, sponges and all the other myriad marinelife we commonly encounter on this shore. The snapping shrimp was a particular hit.
The incoming tide did not deter these enthusiastic visitors!
The high water afforded different views and sightings, including a Blue-spotted stingray, several long-tentacled jellyfishes, a cuttlefish and possibly a little shark (it was fast moving and had a little dorsal fin). Other special sightings included the big red sea star.
Unfortunately, there was a driftnet right across the seagrass path again. But this was an opportunity to explain some of the issues surrounding the use of driftnets (such as bycatch).
November finds a hermit crab!! And explains the idea behind the Naked Hermit Crabs group.
All too soon, it was time to leave, and make final comments.
After the walk, everyone piled onto the bus to head out to the Southern most point of Singapore. As there wasn't enough space, some of the guides walked back.
At the NEA Jetty, I saw for the first time the fabulous new Visitor Centre with really comfy area where everyone spent a little time recovering from the outing. Before going for a briefing on the landfill and its operations.
Despite the surrounding petrochemical industries and high port traffic, the shores in our Southern islands are still full of marine life.
This was an earlier look at the giant cloud that was forming over the petrochemical plants at nearby Pulau Bukom on the way to the landfill earlier in the morning.
The Semakau landfill is certainly an example of effective compromise. Where the demands of urbanisation are met without sacrificing all of the natural surroundings. Although all of Pulau Sakeng was buried, half of Pulau Semakau remained left in its natural state. And this is the portion that we went to visit this morning. Of course, there are always better ways to do things. Which is why it's exciting to know about events such as the Commonwealth youths coming together to share and learn from one another.
All too soon, it was time to go home. And everyone on board shared their impressions of the trip in the usual Naked manner, by drawing and writing in the guestbook.
Both in the open upper deck...
And in the comfy aircon lower deck...
More of what they shared on the Adventures with the Naked Hermit Crab blog.
Thank you to all the Naked Hermit Crab guides who made this possible: Robert, Sijie, Marcus, Leykun, Bian, Andy, Alvin and November.
More blog posts about the trip
stories on the nature scouters blog
more photos on the adventures with the naked hermit crabs blog
stories on the leafmonkey blog
More about visiting Pulau Semakau on the wildsingapore website
Mar 25, 2008
Labrador Park designated temporary holding area for barge used in rock-filling operation
PORT MARINE NOTICE No. 71 of 2008 25 March 2008
A) ROCK-FILLING OPERATIONS IN WEST KEPPEL FAIRWAY – SSD2
B) TEMPORARY HOLDING AREA IN WORKING AREA “A” (OFF LABRADOR PARK)
This is a revision of Port Marine Notice No. 43 of 2008. The work activities have been revised and work period extended.
Date: With effect from 28 Mar 08 to 30 April 08
Location: West Keppel Fairway, Jong Fairway and approaches to Cruise Bay:
Rock-filling works will be carried out 24 hours daily, including Sundays, within the shaded areas of SSD-2 (bounded by Point D, E, G, H and I).
Working area “A”, within the shaded areas of “A” (bounded by Point 1 to Point 8) in the vicinity of Labrador Park, has been identified as the temporary holding area for the rock-filling works.
Rock-filling work will be carried out by the tremie barge at Working Area “SSD-2”.
There will be only one (1) barge carrying out rock-filling works in the working Area “SSD-2”. The tremie barge will be held in position by 4-point anchor mooring system. A safety working zone of 200-metre radius is centered at the tremie barge. Safety boats will be stationed in the immediate vicinity to warn other craft of the project work. Emergency safety tug will be stationed at all times to assist during emergency.
The tremie barge will be required to shift to Working area ‘A’ where necessary.
Further enquiries relating to this operation can be directed to Mr Suresh Nair, the project manager at Tel. 9150 7599, e-mail: s.nair@eastmarine.com.sg
Last episode of Once Upon A Tree tonight
This is the last episode of the series!
From the arts central website, here's the write up on episode.
Hopes & Future
The Following is a Note From Shawn (Host) & Suelyn (Co-host): We are more fact-ors than actors. For the final episode, we look at what might be in the pipelines for the future of Singapore waters. And for what it's worth, what is the future? Is it a place, a person, an idea?
This was our last chance to fit everything in, everything from Corals to Wetsuits. We even went so far as to dispel the myth that clouds our water. We did all right. What? The crew? For now we are taking a break from each other.
This last episode will feature Pulau Hantu and the Hantu Bloggers! What fabulous timing as the Hantu Bloggers just celebrated their fourth anniversary. Happy Anniversary Hantu Bloggers!
In the photo from the Hantu Blog, is our very own Alvin of wildfilms hard at work!
And wow, another super fast, mega detailed review on Jun's ashira blog PLUS lots of secret behind-the-scenes photos of the people who made this series possible.
Here's links to entries about the previous episodes
- Episode 5 on seagrasses with a review by Jun on her ashira blog
- Episode 4 on mangroves with a review by Kok Sheng on his wonderful creations blog
- Episode 3 on seafood
- Episode 2 on Chek Jawa with a review by Jun on her ashira blog
- Episode 1 with a review by Jun on her ashira blog
Mar 24, 2008
The Joy of (Marine) Sex: in pictures
Today a bunch of Naked Hermit Crabs, Blue Water Volunteers, Chek Jawa guides and other volunteers attended Dr Dan's amazing talk.
Here are some pictures of the talk. I'm going to be slack and wait for Marcus to upload a proper summary of the talk on his budak blog :P
The host of the talk, N. Sivasothi introduces Prof Dan Rittschof of Duke University, affectionately called Dr Dan by the volunteers. Dr Dan has been a tremendous influence on many of the current biologists, ecologists and volunteers in conservation throughout the decades that he has been visiting Singapore.
Dr Dan gave us lots of tips about sharing about all kinds of animals on the shores through engaging stories. And what could be more engaging that food...and of course, sex.
Food is a funny thing.
If it wasn't chicken what was it?
Some food may taste good, until we find out what it was!
No, these are not long-tailed pigs. And what's the big one? Cultural ideas also influence our taste, literally.
Dr Dan shares about the different kinds of tastes. There are 6 different tastes that we can discern. But we had a hard time coming up with more after we quickly mentioned the first four: bitter, salty, sweet and sour. Was it durian perhaps?
No, it's MSG (aka Umami...no, it's not an insult on parentage) and the lovely taste of deepfried food.
Tastes affect how animals behave. Dr Dan shares his experiences with developing bait for the big Bass.
These voracious fishes can eat turtles and even ducks!!
When tastes are combined with smell, we can get really kinky stuff going on.
Dr Dan then shares some field and experiemental work with crabs on his shores.
These are volunteers working with fiddler crabs. They're doing the 'crab dance', much like whales gather fish by circling. Amazing!
Dr Dan gives a demonstration of how female and male crabs get it together.
As he ends the talk, Dr Dan reminds that we are all animals! From there, it's easy to explain how shore animals might go about their business. 
We really learnt a lot from a most informative and entertaining talk. 
Thank you Dr Dan!
More posts about the talk
on siva's otterman speaks blog
Mar 21, 2008
Pulau Semakau with Dr Dan and friends
Dr Dan is back in Singapore! With a wonderful group of students from Duke University, and Dr Stan, who has already been furiously blogging about their trip here.
Dr Dan had made a special request to visit Pulau Semakau, and I was glad to be there today, together with some Semakau guides.
Here's the happy group, safe at the mangrove tree in the middle of the sandflats, after having survived running the gauntlet of a gazillion mosquitos, and then the sandfly zone.
Alas, even before we could begin, we saw an huge driftnet on the shore.
And as we crossed the seagrass meadows,
We met the man who laid out the drift net.
He was dragging a huge container behind him. And it was full of fishes!
There was a big garfish, lots of perch and rabbitfishes, a few parrotfish, plus some other fishes I don't really know.
I chatted with him and found out that he lays out the driftnet twice a day during spring tides, at two different locations at Semakau. He works nearby. He was a pleasant guy who seemed to take simple pleasure in his catch.
Today we explored parts of Semakau I have never been to. Semakau is really huge and there are lots of parts that are totally new to me. How exciting!
On the way out to the reefs, Dr Dan finds a sea anemone with Nemos!
Soon, Dr Dan does his crab thing. To the fascination of all in the group.
While some of the Semakau guides found all kinds of things for the group to take a closer look at.
We saw a whole bunch of amazing stuff, and learnt all kinds of things from Dr Dan, like why corals flouresce at sundown (something to do with photons jumping and cholorophyll being damaged during the day).
But I was struck by what Dr Dan asked me, "How often do you see something new when you visit the shore?". Now that I think about it, I see something new almost everytime I go out.
So, here's some of the special stuff I saw today.
Dr Dan spotted this small bright orange sea cucumber! I have no idea what it is.
One of the Semakau guides also spotted this large sea cucumber.
It's been regularly sighted by the Semakau guides but it's my first time seeing it. According to Dr Lane's "A Guide to Sea Stars and Other Echinoderms of Singapore", it's the Ocellated sea cucumber (Stichopus ocellatus). It is identified by its squarish cross section, large white spots with a dark centre in two irregular longitudinal rows on the upper surface, and tube feet in three distinct longitudinal groups on the underside.
And indeed, you can see the three zones of little black tube feet on the underside. Dr Dan is having a look at the underside to check for parasitic snails that burrow into these poor beasts. Fortunately, this one doesn't seem to be infested in this manner.
Dr Dan specifically wanted to see echinoderms.
So it was a good thing that we saw lots of the regulars. We saw several thick long synaptid sea cucumbers that look like intestines, lots of HUGE sandfish sea cucumbers (Holothuria scabra) and a Stonefish sea cucumber (Actinopyga lecanora) with a white ring around the butt and teeth around its anus. We also saw the Common sea stars (Archaster typicus) doin' the sea star thing. And on the way home, Chay Hoon spotted a juvenile Knobbly sea star (Protoreaster nodosus).
Semakau of course has an amazing living reef. And some of the special corals I saw today included this bright blue Caulestrea sp.
And a bright pink Acropora sp.!
And Dr Stan spotted the rarely seen Euphyllia glabarescens. So far, I only seem to spot this coral regularly at Semakau and not on other shores.
While the better known Anchor corals such as Euphyllia ancora has U-shaped tentacle tips, this coral has a blunt tentacle tip.
Of course, there are the obligatory slug sightings of all manner.
A pair of slugs in pajamas, Chromodoris lineolata ... hmm...possibly doin' the slug thing. And several frilly Glossodoris atromarginata.
One of the ladies spotted a really tiny nudi! I have no idea what it is. What great spotting!
And later on, another of the sharp-eyed guests spotted this really fat Jorunna funebris. Did it just eat something enormous? I've never seen something like this before.
Chay Hoon also shared an ENORMOUS upside down jellyfish. My first time seeing such a huge one.
This animal purposely turns itself upside down. Whereupon it is really hard to spot!
All too soon, it was Octopus Hour at sun set...and moon rise!
And of course, we did spot octopuses!
But the most special find of the day was this hairy crab eating a bristle worm! I believe Dr Stan spotted it. Wow!
In seconds, the crab had dragged the worm into its hidey hole in the living coral. Amazing!
After a last look at Semakau in the glowing lights of the petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom nearby.
We had a few last adventures on the soft mud with a lost shoe and more mosquitos. Before we headed home for dinner!
What a great day out, and such a treasure to share it with Dr Dan, Dr Stan and all our new friends!
Other blogs about the trip
Mini cowry on the manta blog
Sea horse, frogfish and nudis on the colourful clouds blog
Big sea star, horseshoe crab, sand dollar and more on the discovery blog
And lots more creatures and info on the tidechaser blog
Mar 20, 2008
Drift net kills around the world
Around the world, some recent updates on marine life tragically killed by fishing nets.
Over 5,000 turtles killed in Orissa since 2007.
While conservation groups claimed that at least 12,000 turtles were killed from November 2007 till date, the state government put the figure at 5,000. According to Greenpeace, over 4,000 carcasses were found in Devi region alone till February.
from "Over 5,000 turtles killed in Orissa since 2007", Economic Times of India 20 Mar 08; full article on the wildsingapore news blog
22 Maui dolphins in New Zealand.
What is particularly tragic is that there are estimated only 111 of these dolphins left.
from New Zealand under pressure over rare dolphins, Ian Wood, The Telegraph 19 Mar 08; full article on the wildsingapore news blog
Tiny Mexican porpoise near extinct from fish nets.
Called the vaquita, the porpoise numbers to as few as 150 from around 600 at the start of the decade. The drop in numbers suggests they are getting tangled in fishing nets at a faster rate than they can reproduce. Female vaquitas only produce young once every two years and the genetic pool is now too small for effective breeding. Meanwhile mesh gillnets used to catch sea bass, mackerel, shrimp and sharks also trap and drown air-breathing vaquitas, whose name is Spanish for "little cow."
from "Tiny Mexican porpoise near extinct from fish nets," Tomas Sarmiento, Yahoo News 18 Mar 08; full article on the wildsingapore news blog.
Mutilated dolphins are washing up on UK coasts. 
29 dolphins and porpoises have been found on the beaches of south-west England since the beginning of the year, compared with 80 for the whole of 2007. Experts suspect that most have drowned after being caught up in fishing nets.
from "Mutilated dolphins washing up on UK coasts", The Telegraph 16 Mar 08; full article on wildsingapore news.
Meanwhile, France forced to stop illegal drift net fishing this year. Also known as "wall of death" nets in the Mediterranean, the French Government was refused a temporary exemption to allow fishermen attempting to catch endangered bluefin tuna and swordfish to go on using drift nets that were prohibited in the EU in 2002. Drift nets more than 1.5 miles long were banned by the UN in international waters in the early 1990s and drift nets of any length in 2002 because of global concerns about the bycatch of dolphins, turtles and sharks.
from "France forced to stop illegal drift net fishing", Charles Clover, The Telegraph 18 Mar 08; full article on wildsingapore news.
Mar 19, 2008
The Joy of (Marine) Sex: a talk by Dr Dan on 24 Mar (Mon)
Thanks to Siva for the early heads up! Also on Siva's habitatnews blog
Prof Dan Rittschof (affectionately known as Dr Dan to the shore volunteers) will be giving a talk about "The Joys of Marine Life: Taste, Smell, Pheromones and SEX".
Date: 24 Mar (Mon)
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Hosted by N. Sivasothi
Venue: Conference Room, Block S3, Level 5, Department of Biological Sciences
National University of Singapore
More details to be announced later (this post will be updated with the details).
Dr Dan is a wonderful and inspiring guru of the shores. He has been visiting Singapore regularly over the past few years. To introduce US students (and in the process, Singaporeans as well) to our shores and the rest of Singapore too!
Dr Dan is like Father Christmas to me. He comes once a year to give gifts of wisdom and knowledge to all shore guides and volunteers! Don't miss this once a year opportunity!
Dr Stan Rule is accompanying Dr Dan this year, and Dr Stan has already started a fascinating blog about this Singapore trip.
Dr Dan is Professor of Zoology, Duke University Marine Lab. Here's a wonderful write up about Dr Dan, and his homepage!
On Sisters Island: Dr Dan found an abandoned soup bowl to show usthe icky black sea cucumber ejecting its innards. Eeewww.
Last year, wildfilms and beachfleas brought Dr Dan and his students to Sisters Island, and he joined TeamSeagrass on Chek Jawa. His students also did a blog about their Sojourn to Singapore and MORE.
On Chek Jawa: N. Sivasothi, Kok Sheng, and Dr Dan looking very professorialin his Real Panama hat (from Panama).
Dr Dan is also one of the supervisors of Kok Sheng's Chek Jawa project and Dr Dan also visited separately in Aug 07 for this study of recovery on our favourite shore that suffered from mass death in early 2007.
Dr Dan also started a blog called Dr Dan in Singapore but then couldn't update it anymore as he forgot his password. Alas! But before he stopped updating it, he did a great post on Will Chek Jawa rebound?.
So come for the talk and learn things you didn't know about Sex in the Sea.
Mar 18, 2008
"Once Upon a Tree" episode 5 tonight
From the arts central website, here's the write up on episode .
Lost Connections
The Following is a Note from the Editor: I never knew Singapore waters to be so picturesque! It is as if someone polishes the surface of our waters everyday! You must see it to believe it. Of course I wanted to use every shot, but when you've made a career out of editing, as I have, you know that is not possible. Eventually, I pieced together the Battle of Labrador, something on Sea Grasses, Calendars, and Sports, based upon the theme Lost Connections. Cohost? Suelyn? Yummy. Definitely.
A little (water) bird said that this episode will be on seagrasses! And that must surely mean that our very own Siti will be featured!
And probably also something about TeamSeagrass?
And wow, another blistering fastly uploaded and marvellously indepth review of this episode is on the ashira blog! With lots of photos of old memories of Labrador. Thanks once again, Jun!
Mar 16, 2008
Abandoned fishing lines kill
A sad report today on the bird ecology blog that another heron has been found dead, due to entanglement by fishing lines in West Coast Park.
In February this year, the bird ecology blog also reported a heron was found dead in Punggol Park after it ostensibly swallowed a fish stuck on the abandoned hook and line (photos at right taken by Daniel Koh and Chan Yoke Meng). Last year, a Buffy fish owl was entangled in fishing lines.
What can be done about this sad situation?
The Audobon South Carolina blog featured an article in January this year, about the impact of monofilament fishing lines on shore and seabirds.
Besides killing adult birds, the blog notes that "some birds will also use the fishing line as nesting material, which can lead to the death of chicks due to entanglement". The group there have a system for recycling fishing line.
They report that "once collected, monofilament fishing line is melted into reusable plastic pellets, which are then fashioned into tackle boxes, spools for fishing line, artificial fish habitats, and other plastic products. Between 1990 and 2006, over seven million miles of monofilament was recycled".
This is what a monofilament recycling bin looks like.The US Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission also has a website about monofilament recovery and recycling. It has details on starting your own recycling program with specific guidelines and background materials.
The goals are..
Long-term goal 1: Heighten awareness about the negative impacts that fishing line debris has on human welfare, marine life, and water quality.
Long-term goal 2: Decrease the amount of fishing line entering and remaining in the natural environment.
Long-term goal 3: Increase the amount of fishing line being recycled.
This is achieved by...
Objective 1: Provide all the technical support needed for any interested organization to initiate MRRP.
Objective 2: Increase the number of tackle shops that are hosting Berkley line recycling receptacles.
Objective 3: Increase the number of outdoor recycling bins throughout the state.
Objective 4: Increase the number of monofilament line cleanup events throughout the state.
Objective 5: Distribute educational materials that include flyers announcing the recycling program that can be distributed with fishing licenses, business posters to share with participating tackle shops and partnering organizations, and brochures to share with targeted audiences at events and presentations.
The website has an FAQ, pamphlets, photos to download and lots of other information.
Some photos of animals affected by fishing line entanglement, from the gallery ...
Sea turtles
Manatees
Dolphins
Whales
Mar 15, 2008
The Raffles Museum of Biodiversity: Nature comes alive!
A bunch of TeamSeagrass and Naked Hermit Crabs spent a happy afternoon under the able guidance of Sijie (at rightmost top) who hosted us to a special look at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research during the Museum's Open House.
(Oops, we couldn't find any seagrass exhibits. And the Algae section was the nearest thing we could find. But please don't tell Siti or she will kill us...)
Sijie was a fabulous guide, introducing us to Singapore's marvellous biodiversity...
With fascinating stories to bring all the specimens to life.
We saw some of our favourite shore creatures, like never before!
HUMUNGOUS mantis shrimp, Sam's hand for scale. WOW! And this monster was taken from the East Coast...hmmm...I'm sure NOT from the seafood restaurants there :-)
There were also an enormous jellyfish, basket star and lots of strange worms.
Including this one which looks very much like what Budak posted recently on his budak blog.
And YC's 'favourite' animal was there too!
The mysterious Giant Fish Scale, whose story is told here.
Sijie shares lots of background of the specimes there. Like the one behind the skull of the dugong (photo on the left) which was rescued from a dugong carcass that was found on the East Coast in July 2001. Siva tells the whole lurid story on the RMBR newsletter. (The leopard cat and other animals featured in this article were also in the museum).
Sijie also shared about the poor little turtles in the bottle (photo on the right). These were the ones who didn't make it during the Big Turtle Hatchling rescue in May 2006, again on the East Coast, all the details on Siva's habitatnews. Sijie also pointed out a gruesome detail of the giant shark jaw displayed there (you'll just have to go to the Museum to find out for yourself).
And around the corner, past the strange Coelacanth, was a slab of wood with a remarkable story.
Sijie tells of the tragic felling of this last 'Changi tree' (Hopea sangal). Full details on Siva's A Changi Heritage website.
And there was lots LOTS more. The amazing large animals of truly surprising Singapore.
A special feature on frogs and rats (to commemorate this being the Year of the Frog and Year of the Rat). And whole bunch more!
Sijie ended the tour with a thought-provoking discussion of the Dodo. Whose demise is so tragic that not even a complete specimen of it exists. Only the head and a right foot. This replica at the Museum is believed to be the most accurate representation of the bird lost to man's greed and thoughtless action.
The Open House is still on tomorrow, more details on the wildsingapore happenings blog. Do drop by if you can. It's a magical place and a wonderful introduction to our fascinating natural heritage.
I tried out my new compact camera today. And tested it on the smallest specimen in the exhibit.
Not too bad...
Alas, halfway through the trip, the LCD display conked out...sigh. I'm just useless with consumer cameras. Back to lugging the monstrous cameras I suppose.
Mar 14, 2008
Johor floods in Mar 08: water to 3m in some places
Hundreds flee from Johor floods
The Star 14 Mar 08;
Floods in three districts in Johor have forced the evacuation of a total of 710 people. “Water is about 3m deep in most of the areas,” he said, adding that the floods were caused by incessant rain since Wednesday.
Flood victim numbers decrease
Mohd Faizal Hassan, Bernama 14 Mar 08;
JOHOR BARU, Fri.: The number of flood victims in five districts in Johor dropped to 666 this morning from 710 last night as the flood waters started to recede in several places.
Full reports on the wildsingapore newsblog.
Why is flooding in Johor of concern to us?
Chek Jawa lies at the mouth of the Johor River.
In 2007, around this time of the year as well, unusual flooding in Johor lead to mass deaths on Chek Jawa.
Most of the dead included the large carpet anemones, large sea cucumbers, sponges and sea stars. More about this and the subsequent recovery on Chek Jawa on Kok Sheng's Chek Jawa project blog, which documents his study of the aftermath of the flood.
More links
No more Chek Jawa tours - for now
Boon Chan Straits Times 25 Mar 07
with links to more about the mass deaths, including the first report of the deaths.
Reclamation off Cyrene Reef, Sand mining at Changi
SAND MINING AT CHANGI EAST
PORT MARINE NOTICE NO. 63 of 2008, 13 March 2008
With effect from 21 Mar 08 to 20 Sep 08. Changi East, within the working areas bounded by the following coordinates (see attached plan):
24 hours daily, including Sundays and Public Holidays except for Sector C, where only night operations (1900 hours till 0700 hours) will be carried out.
Sand mining will be carried out by the TSHD within the working areas as per the schedule above. There will be occasional survey work carried out by DHI survey vessel as required. Proper precautions will be in place and keeping a safe distance of more than 250-metre from the dredger when such operations are carried out.
Further enquiries relating to operation can be directed to Mr S Y Yoon, the project coordinator, at Tel: 9795 5884, email: bluewind0507@hdec.co.kr
RECLAMATION WORKS IN AYER MERBAU BASIN
PORT MARINE NOTICE NO. 62 of 2008 13 March 2008
With effect from 21 Mar 08 to 20 Sep 08. In Ayer Merbau Basin, within a working area bounded by the following co-ordinates (see attached plan):
Reclamation works will entail sand filling and removal of existing revetment. Sand fill works will be carried out by TSHD.
There will be occasional survey work carried out by DHI survey vessel as required. Proper precautions will be in place and keeping a safe working distance from all vessels when such operations are carried out. A safety boat will be deployed to advise all craft to keep clear of the working area.
Further enquires relating to the project can be directed to Mr S Y Yoon, the project manager, at Tel: 9795 5884, email: bluewing0507@hdec.co.kr
(wildfilms note: Ayer Merbau in the red box, is just off Cyrene Reef)
This wider view is extracted from another MPA notice
Cyrene Reef is an amazing submerged reef with vast seagrass meadows, coral reefs and other marine habitats.
More about Cyrene Reef
Blog entries about Cyrene Reef
More photos of Cyrene Reef
Mar 13, 2008
Dolphin Therapy Smells Fishy
Christopher Wanjek, LiveScience Bad Medicine Columnist
Yahoo News 12 Mar 08;
full article on the wildsingapore news blog
Here's some extracts ...
For some physically and mentally handicapped children, swimming with dolphins is a dream come true. That dream is shared by a multi-million dollar industry that provides so-called dolphin-assisted therapy for a few thousand dollars per session.
For the dolphins, the interactions with humans tend to be a nightmare.
Yet while laboratory animal are at least poked and prodded for some good for humankind, interacting with dolphins provides no long-term human health benefits and is largely an unproven therapy that can cheat patients out of real treatment, according to two recent studies.
...
It may be that we are merely charmed by the dolphin's Joker-like smile, which of course isn't a smile but rather the natural shape of its mouth that fools us into thinking they like us.
Links
Dolphin Exporter Wants To Export Live Dolphins to Singapore
Pacific Magazine 18 Feb 08;
SUFFERING, NOT SMILING: The Truth About Captive Dolphins
on the Acres website
Follow Thai government's lead - release dolphins at Sentosa back into the wild
Letter from Acres, Straits Times Forum Online 25 Feb 06
Boycott the dolphin parks
Jonathan Owen, The Independent 2 Jul 06
How are dolphins captured?
Captured Dolphin With Four Fins Spotlights Controversial Hunt
John Roach, National Geographic News 14 Nov 06
Mar 12, 2008
World's largest cruise ships to dock at Marina South by 2010
Singapore set to host world's largest cruise ships by 2010
Channel NewsAsia 12 Mar 08;
full article on the wildsingapore news blog
SINGAPORE: The world's largest cruise ships currently being built are set to dock in Singapore by 2010, when the new International Cruise Terminal at Marina South is expected to be completed.
The new terminal will double the number of cruise berths in the country to four, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said.
The International Cruise Terminal at Marina South has deep waters, a large turning basin and no height restrictions, enabling it to accommodate the largest cruise ships currently being built.
Together with the current Singapore Cruise Centre, STB said it expects the new terminal to increase the country's cruise passenger handling capacity and achieve the targeted 1.6 million cruise passengers per annum by 2015.
Last year, the Singapore Cruise Centre reported a cruise passenger volume of over 943,000, an increase of more than 10 per cent over the 857,000 passengers in 2006.
Related articles
Marina South cruise centre to open in 2010
Natalie Soh & Lim Wei Chean, Straits Times 1 Feb 08
Singapore urged to build new cruise terminal soon
Royal Caribbean says infrastructure needed to draw the biggest, best ships
By Donald Urquhart Business Times Singapore 13 Feb 07
Build second cruise centre here soon, operators urge
STB: Feasibility studies being done at likely Marina South site
By Lim Wei Chean Straits Times 7 Jul 07
Cruise terminal in Marina South ready in 6 years
Jasmine Yin Today Online 30 Mar 07
Mar 11, 2008
"Once Upon a Tree" episode 4 tonight
From the arts central website, here's the write up on episode 4.
The Bigger Picture
The Following is a Note From the Writer:
For episode IV, I was given a few things to work off: Conservation, Photography, Creative powers of Nature, Evolution, and Natural Migration. I recongise the words, but what could they mean? How does the local community run with the global crowd? Does it matter? What? Can I swim? Certainly! In the shallow end, and only if someone is watching over me.
Kok Sheng has done a wonderful review of the episode on his wonderful creations blog!
This week's episode features Mangrove Maestro Sivasothi!
Who better to introduce the shores and our mangroves! Here's more about Siva in an old writeup on wildsingapore.
Dredging at Changi and tests for Newater submarine pipeline from Jurong Island to Pulau Ular
DREDGING WORKS AT CHANGI CREEK
PORT MARINE NOTICE NO. 59 of 2008 10 March 2008
With effect from 16 Mar 08 to 15 Sep 08. In the vicinity of Changi Point Ferry Terminal, within the working areas bounded by the following co-ordinates (please see plan attached):
High spots removal dredging work will be carried out from Sector 1 to Sector 4. The grab dredger is equipped with a DGPS and will be held in position by two spud legs lowered into the seabed. A tug boat shall be alongside the dredger and a pusher tug shall be alongside the hopper barge at all times. Sembawang Control or the terminal operator would give at least 30 minutes advance notice for emergency evacuation.
For general enquiries relating to the project, please contact Thambipillai Uruththiran, the project engineer at Tel: 9719 9388 or email: uruththiran@yengtong.com
NEWATER SUBMARINE PIPELINE AND SERVICES FROM JURONG ISLAND TO PULAU ULAR
PORT MARINE NOTICE NO. 58 of 2008 10 March 2008
With effect from 12 Mar 08 to 20 Apr 08. Sinki Fairway, between Pulau Seraya and Pulau Ular, within working areas bounded by the following co-ordinates (see attached plan):
Operation restricted to daylight for all marine Cone Penetration Test (CPT) operations and marine Borehole operations. Marine soil investigation works will be carried out by offshore support vessel “Jan Steen”. During marine CPT operations, vessel will keep position on DP mode. During marine Bore Hole operations, vessel will be held in position by a 4-point anchor mooring system. Anchor handling tug will be assisting during the marine Bore Hole operation.
Further enquiries relating to the project can be directed to Mr. P. Bogers, project manager, at Tel: 9139 6094 or email: bog@vanoord.com.
In the news: controls over illegal landings on Pulau Sekudu
Forgotten sister of Chek Jawa gets protection
Permits needed to visit Pulau Sekudu
Aditi Shivaramakrishnan, The New Paper 11 Mar 08;
full article on the wildsingapore news blog.
Here's some extracts ...
While Chek Jawa is known for its natural gems, Sekudu, its neglected sister, has been the victim of repeated illegal fishing, camping and harvesting of marine creatures such as oysters and clams.
Between July and September 2007, there were more than 20 landings on Pulau Sekudu, Mr Robert Teo said. He is the assistant director in charge of Pulau Ubin at the National Parks Board (NParks).
NParks has been managing the area since January 2002, implementing rules that restrict access to Chek Jawa's inter-tidal habitats. That protection is extended to Sekudu because it is found within the 100-ha Chek Jawa Wetlands.
Explaining the reason for the permit system, Mr Teo said: 'Chek Jawa Wetlands, which includes Pulau Sekudu, is an important and unique area for the conservation of Singapore's marine life.
'Thus, NParks decided to manage public access to minimise damage to its fragile marine habitat.'
NParks approves permit applications only for activities such as research and coastal cleanups. These are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
NParks staff members and security guards stationed at Chek Jawa Wetlands are equipped with powerful binoculars to scan the area for illegal activities.
Mr Teo said: 'They will record the registration numbers of any boats landing or engaging in poaching.
'NParks will then check with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore for the particulars of the boat owners for enforcement action.'
NParks has also started regular boat patrol and relies on volunteers to act as its eyes and ears.
Since the rules were implemented, there have been 27 cases of illegal landings. Warning letters are issued to first-time offenders.
There have also been four cases of poaching.
In the case of repeat offenders, NParks will carry out thorough investigations before taking action in accordance with the Parks and Trees Act.
Related links
Parks and Trees Act on the reddotbeachbum blog.
Poaching incidents encountered by volunteers:
- Chek Jawa's Great Fishnet Graveyard on the reddotbeachbum blog
- Spring cleaning at Chek Jawa on the wildfilms blog
- Taking out more nets: Pulau Sekudu on the wildfilms blog
Mar 9, 2008
More about the coastal tree with blue fruits
Thanks to Joseph Lai for identifying this coastal tree as Elaeocarpus pedunculatus.
My first time encounter was while exploring a new shore with new friends.
According to Corners, it is called the Blunt-leafed Oil-Fruit Tree which belongs to the family of Oil-Fruit Trees (Family Elaeocarpus). The trees in this family are also known as Pigeon Plums as the fruits are eaten by birds and seeds thus dropped in open places 'where they sprout vigorously'.
The flowers are reported to be fragrant, and the trees said to flower generally twice a year (so we were very lucky to see it in full bloom!). The blue colour of the fruit is not a pigment, but due to the structure of the skin which reflects blue light. The tree is typically found in rocky cliffs by the sea.
According to Burkill, the Malays commonly called members of this family 'Medang' often adding to the specific name; 'musang' (civet cat) or 'kelawar' (flying fox). The fruits of some of members of this family can be eaten by people.
In Hsuan Keng's The Concise Flora of Singapore (1990), it is reported to be found near seashores at Loyang, Tuas, Jurong, Pulau Tekong and Pulau Bayan. These areas on the mainland have experienced a great deal of development. So the tree we saw might be among the rare survivors on a natural shore.
The tree is listed as a rare plant in the Singapore Red Data Book (Ng & Wee, 1994).
From Siva's Changi Heritage page, there is also a tree on Changi near the boardwalk, on the side of the hill below Fairy Point Chalet 3.
Joseph Lai also recorded it on Sentosa's natural shore, on his eart-h.com website, and a tree on Mount Serapong, Sentosa is registered as a Heritage Tree in the Singapore Heritage Tree Register (pdf file)
Joseph Lai also recorded it on Lazarus Island on his eart-h.com website.
The Gardentech website recommends this native tree for planting in miniature gardens. At NUS, a replanting exercise in 2005 included this native tree.
References
Burkill, I. H., 1993. A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. 3rd printing. Publication Unit, Ministry of Agriculture, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Volume 1: 1-1240; volume 2: 1241-2444.
Corners, E. J. H., 1997. Wayside Trees of Malaya: in two volumes. Fourth edition, Malayan Nature Society, Kuala Lumpur. Volume 1: 1-476 pp, plates 1-38; volume 2: 477-861 pp., plates 139-236.
Hsuan Keng, S.C. Chin and H. T. W. Tan. 1990, The Concise Flora of Singapore: Gymnosperms and Dicotyledons. Singapore University Press. 222 pp.
Ng, P. K. L. & Y. C. Wee, 1994. The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened Plants and Animals of Singapore. The Nature Society (Singapore), Singapore. 343 pp.
Mar 8, 2008
Labrador Nature Reserve: after the construction
I was back on Labrador today for the first time after the removal of the cofferdam and end to construction on the beach.
What a wonderful surprise to see the Toddycats on a shore exploration!
Justin was leading a very enthusiastic and eager group of students.
Shore Maestro Siva was sharing about crabs with another group.
While the irrepressible Oi Yee led another group further down the shore.
Despite the pressures that the shores faced over the last year, there is still amazing marine life to thrill ordinary people. The seagrasses are still doing alright. With lots of Spoon seagrasses (Halophila ovalis) and Sickle seagrass (Thalassia hemprichii).
As well as colourful seaweeds. The rocky shore was also covered with little snails.
An in a pool of water, were these lively little Crescent perch (Terapon jarbua).
Here's a closer look at these fishes.
But how is the shore doing now? Compared to the sad situation in Dec 07? (see Labrador Nature Reserve: Trashed?)
Well the big triangular concrete slab near the entrance at the seawall has been removed.
photo taken on 12 Dec 07
photo taken today (8 Mar 08)The big rectangular slabs have been removed .
photo taken today (8 Mar 08).The pile of large concrete pillars have been removed.
photo taken on 12 Dec 07
photo taken today (8 Mar 08)This area is covered in a thick layer of fine silt, with black smelly silt underneath that comes up when you step into it.
photo taken today (8 Mar 08).The cofferdam has been removed.
photo taken on 12 Dec 07
photo taken today (8 Mar 08)Some of the trash on the high shore where the cofferdam was has been removed.
photo taken on 12 Dec 07
photo taken today (8 Mar 08)
photo taken on 12 Dec 07
photo taken today (8 Mar 08)We had a hard time moving a few of the rocks to look inside the hole, and what do we see inside?
The green fencing is STILL THERE!
We have to wonder about people who will expend energy to pile up rocks to conceal trash, instead of removing the trash...hmmm....Past where the cofferdam was, the shore was strewn with dead corals.
A closer look...
We can only wonder what has happened to the corals that are underwater.More works are ongoing near Labrador with reclamation at Sentosa and just next to Labrador works are ongoing for massive reclamation for the extension of the Pasir Panjang container terminal.
In the distance today, are the line of silt traps laid out for the Pasir Panjang project.
Spiders by the Sea
As we were leaving Labrador, Marcus pointed out the spiders under the walkway to the jetty. WOW! There were a lot of spiders, with webs draped at every corner.
Each web had one large female spider (left photo)
and a much smaller male spider (right photo). You can tell he is a mature male because he has enlarged 'boxing gloves' near his face. These are called palps. Here's more about spiders of Singapore and how to identify them. Marcus says these spiders are the Malabar spider (Nephilengys malabarensis) which are in the family of Golden orb web spiders.
Inside the web of these larger spiders are lots of tiny little red spiders.
These little spiders are not the babies of the big spiders. They are another kind of spider, probably the Red Silver Spider (Argyrodes flavescens). These little spiders live on the webs of such big spiders and steal their food!! More about them on the Spiders of Singapore site.
Here's another happy couple, showing the differences in the sizes of the male and female.
The lady seems to be eating something.
The underside of the spider is very colourful!
Another female has a VERY large insect (looks like a cicada).
And everyone is waiting patiently nearby to have a turn at the meal; the male at the top right corner, and two tiny little stealing spiders nearby.
Almost every couple had fluffy egg sacs.
In addition, there were little berry-like things suspended in the web too.
Could these be the egg sacs of the stealing spiders?
And there was also one Golden orb web spider.
She was rather small, but obviously happy as her web is catching prey.
There's indeed lots to see on a shore, even above the high water mark and in unlikely places such as under a walkway!
Thanks Marcus for sharing this. Have a look at his wonderful closeups of these spider faces and much better photos of these amazing creatures, also on his budak blog
Tuas and Jurong reclamation continues
RECLAMATION OF JURONG ISLAND PHASE 4 AND TUAS VIEW EXTENSION
PORT MARINE NOTICE NO. 54 of 2008 06 March 2008
This is a renewal of Port Marine Notice No. 116 of 2007. The work period has been extended.
With effect from 15 Mar 08 to14 Sep 08, off Tuas View, within a working area bounded by the following coordinates (please see plan attached).
The above approved craft will be involved in the construction of a seawall. The craft will also be deployed to carry out piling, dredging and reclamation works in the working area. For general enquiries, please contact Mr Cedric De Silva, project coordinator, at Tel: 9757 7858, email: cedric@hdec.com.sg
Location on Google Earth...
a wider view ...
Mar 7, 2008
Exploring a new shore with new friends
This afternoon, Gaytri and I accepted the kind invitation to look at shores that few of us have seen.
Our new friends were keen to find out more about the marinelife on theses shores and to further integrate these with their work in raising environmental awareness.
We spent a leisurely afternoon over cake sharing ideas as we waited for the moderate low tide to start.
We then first explored a swampy area nearby. It was hard to see through the undergrowth but we got glimpses of fascinating trees and plants in a tranquil pool of still brackish water. There was one Rhizophora tree that looked quite intriguing. We shared about mud lobsters and weaver ants and tailorbirds. We also saw archerfishes, giant mudskippers and lots of other little fishes. It would be wonderful to find a way to introduce this area into their programme!
Then we headed out to the shore. As usual, what seems to be a boring shore is very much alive!
The pools were full of hermit crabs, busy whelks with anemones on their shells and leaping Gong-gong snails!
Our enthusiastic friends were really thrilled by these energetic snails. And we saw so many of them, in different stages of development.
The young Gong-gong doesn't have such a well developed 'wing', which only gets thicker in older snails. The snails have really cute eyes on stalks!
We also saw a brittle star, a sand star, lots of little banded bead anemones, tubeworms and heard snapping shrimps. We looked at crabs moults, and little porcelain crabs. On the rocks there were nerites with their sturdy doors (aka operculum), busy drills working on barnacles and tiny green mussels, large oysters, elegant egg cases of the spiral melongena, and even a valiant little onch slug in the hot sun. The rocks closer to the water was covered with various sponges. Wow, a great possibility of octopus and nudibranchs during a night walk!
The little sand collars found on the sand suggested the presence of moon snails. And indeed we found a rather less commonly encountered Tiger moon snail!
The large Moon snail was diligently trying to keep up with a panicky whelk, steadily following in the whelk's trail. Moon snails eat other snails you see!
And as we turned around the big rocks, a huge expanse of seagrass meadows! Full of spoon seagrass and large carpet anemones, just like Chek Jawa!
In the distance were a mama wild boar and her babies who quickly trotted off. As well as lots of egrets feeding on the rich shore.
A seahorse is spotted!! 
Other sighting on the shore by diligent eyes were a tiny black sea urchin, the shell of a horseshore crab, and lots of stone crabs hiding in natural holes in a rock. On the soft mud there were lots of window-pane shells and a big bunch of non-stinging hydroids.
On the high shore were several Pong-Pong trees that looked like they were our native kind as the centre was of a different colour.
And this strange tree that I've never seen before! It had beautiful flowers arranged like drops, and amazing blue berries!Does anyone know what this is? (Thanks to Joseph Lai for identifying the tree! Here's more about the tree)
Alas, all too soon we had to go home.
Some of the footwear didn't survive well in the mud. This is why we don't recommend sandals for shore exploration :-)
We took the forest trail back and looked at wonderful lianas entwined around the tall trees in the forest, and marvelled at a spider spinning her web. While I shared stories about spider romance.
We sadly said goodbye.
But hope to be back to check out the rest of these amazing shores!
Arriving soon at Changi: T4
Leong Wee Keat, Today Online 7 Mar 08;
The "vast amount" of reclaimed land to the east of the airport could be a site for expansion.
LESS than two months after Changi Airport welcomed T3 to its fold, plans to build a new terminal, T4, are already in the works.
"It is critical ... that we take decisive steps to strengthen Changi's position as a leading air hub in the region," said Minister of State for Transport Lim Hwee Hua in Parliament yesterday.
full article on wildsingapore news
Mar 5, 2008
Reclamation and coastal works: too fast?
Leading coastal specialist calls for change
AME Info 5 Mar 08;
Full article on wildsingapore news
Some extracts ...
Professor Kees d'Angremond, a leading consultant on coastal engineering, has called for major change in the way countries and corporations plan, execute and manage coastal development.
The pre-eminent consultant from The Netherlands gave an overview of the world's biggest and most ambitious mega-projects.
He charted evolution in both size and technology from developments like the Suez and Panama Canals, which were completed in the mid-19th Century and the early 20th Century respectively, through Lake Ijssel's closure and reclamation in The Netherlands (1950s and '60s), Singapore's Tuas and Changi reclamation projects (1980s), Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok island airport (1990s), culminating with residence and leisure-based projects today in areas like the UAE (The Palm, The World), Oman (The Pearl), Bahrain and Qatar.
Prof d'Angremond focused on the effects these may be having on the natural world, noting that ever-larger projects have ever-larger and more widespread impact. However, he identified accelerated production times, rather than sheer size, as the main environmental issue.
'The Suez and Panama Canals, the Ijssel reclamation, the Delta Project, they were gigantic undertakings - far larger than the mega-projects of today. But Suez took 11 years to build. Including its initial failure, the Panama Canal took double that - at a cost of 27,500 lives. Ijssel took 40 years.'
But slower execution times are actually better for Mother Nature. Although average mega-project scales are three to five times smaller now, completion times are between one to three years on average. However, nature's response time remains a constant. This means the environmental effects are sometimes unclear until long after contractors and consultants have moved on.'
Prof d'Angremond emphasised the danger of less available time for concurrent evaluation. Short job times mean fewer critical engineers with less time observing how the environment is being affected. To offset this danger, he underscored the need for rapid response scenarios formulated in advance, money to be spent on more critical engineers on site, and more investment in post-construction monitoring - our 'after-care' service to Nature.
Mar 4, 2008
At Sentosa: dredging, reclamation and sea wall construction
CONSTRUCTION OF SEAWALL AND LAND RECLAMATION IN CRUISE BAY
PORT MARINE NOTICE NO. 52 of 2008 04 March 2008
With effect from 5 Mar 08 to 4 Sep 08, in Cruise Bay, off Sentosa within a working area bounded by the following co-ordinates (see attached plan)
The works include construction of a sea wall, piling, dredging and land reclamation within the working area.
Deployment of a silt curtain around the ferry terminal and removal of existing pontoons and access walkways will be carried out.
Crane barges and work barges will be used for piling works and transportation of equipment. The barges used in the project works will be shifted by tugs operating in pusher mode.
For enquiries, please contact the project manager, Mr Chris Kelly at Tel: 9118 2802, or email: Chris_Kelly@macdow.com.au.
wildfilms note: a view of works on these shores taken last year.
More background on the issues of reclamation on this shore.
Other blog entries about Sentosa and reclamation there.
The work period was extended in a follow up Notice. More on the wild shores of singapore blog.
Mar 3, 2008
4 Mar (Tue): Seafood to be featured on Once Upon a Tree
Here's what the producers have shared with me about the upcoming episode...
We interviewed Tan Yit Wee from AVA about sustainable seafood in Singapore i.e., aquaculture.
Then onto Kelvin Chong, a posrts fisherman that has represented Singapore in various international fishing competitions.
Suelyn then explores the beaches of Changi.
The last act features talking fishes, we look at the plight of our water-resistant friends from their own point-of-view, overfishing, by-catch, finning of sharks.
Also, we recommend alternative sources of diet ie. tofu as a protein eplacement to reduce the strain of our seafood consumption.
Finally, Shawn closes the episode with how tides sustain us.
Time: 9.30pm Arts Central
Website: http://artscentral.mediacorptv.sg/
Alas, the much awaited traditional review of the episode by Jun on her ashira blog is unavailable this week.
No worries Jun, now we really appreciate the effort you took to do the earlier reviews!
If anyone has any comments to share about the episode, just drop it by her blog or on this entry. Or let us know if you've done a review! Thank you!
