On the Sentosa Resorts World website
In keeping with our blue footprint, in July 2007, RWS engaged marine biologists from appointed consultancy firm, DHI Water & Environment Singapore, to relocate corals and other marine life around the Sentosa northern coastline affected by reclamation works to the Southern Islands.See the video clip on the Sentosa Resorts World website of the coral relocation and status of relocated corals one year after, link on this page.
After a year in their new homes, we are proud to share that the relocated corals are thriving beautifully.
Here's some screen shots from the clip, ostensibly the 'before' situation.
Some information provided in the clip:- "About 100 corals were moved".
- "Reported coral density along Sentosa's surrounding waters was sparse with less than 10% of the area covered with reefs".
- Also 'rescued': frogfish, nudibranchs, one octopus, more than a dozen seahorses
- "In Apr 2008 a marine survey shows that more than three quarters of transplanted corals are doing well."
- "The seahorses had settled into their new home."
- The coral relocation involved careful removal, transportation and relocation of more than 600 corals of 33 genera, measuring 20cm to 100cm across.
- Marine creatures such as nudibranches, seahorses and frogfishes were relocated as and when they were encountered during the relocation.
from Coral relocation at Sentosa Integrated Resort reclamation site DHI website 23 Jul 08 - At least 200 corals - of some 20 varieties - measuring 30 to 50cm across will be moved in cages over three weeks by marine biologists from consultancy firm DHI Water & Environment.
- Despite trying to "save as much as possible," DHI estimates some two-thirds of the corals will be sacrificed.
from Sentosa corals to move to Southern Islands by Shobana Kesava, Straits Times 7 Jul 07
- The survival rate of relocated corals in Singapore is about 80 to 90 per cent.
from The big reef move by Daphne Chuah, Today Online 7 Jul 07
Related post: "Possibilities of a truly integrated development?"
5 comments:
'Sacrifice' is not the right word - 'Sacrilege' is. Nature is never 'ours' to 'sacrifice'. A coral reef is not just about corals. It's a whole ecosystem - a whole diversity of life - destroyed.
One-third corals 'saved'? It's delusion in the highest order against humanity and the possibilities that come from the beautiful mind that modern homo sapiens have inherited thus far. We could be creative in infrastructural development but we choice to kill and delude.
'Experts' who can abuse sciences for $million-dollar money without blinking an eye - please take a bow. You are the curse of every nation on earth.
Experiment with coral by all means (as any good sciences should be) but don't use (and abuse) it as a tool for conservation alternative. The sciences involved is still scratching the surface of ignorance. Singaporeans, don't be fooled.
Did anything from the original Reef Rescue survive?
Viola to Joseph!
if the consultants didn't do a good job, can we SUE the consultants???? As the citizens of Singapore?
Dear Michael, As citizens, we can keep a close eye on our corals and other precious biodiversity.
Protection is a complicated process involving all kinds of approaches. From documenting what we have, raising awareness and educating as many as we can, and working with policy- and decision-makers to establish more sustainable development.
I don't have an easy answer, though I struggle every day to work towards this goal.
I do know that the more of us contribute whatever we can, the better the chances.
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