Labrador is one of the four designated Nature Reserves in Singapore.
But exactly what is the outline of Labrador Nature Reserve? In particular...
Is Labrador shore part of the Labrador Nature Reserve?
From the URA website, under the Parks and Waterbodies Plan, only the terrestrial forested part of Labrador is a delineated as a Nature Reserve:
This was also reflected on the panels at the exhibition.
But on another panel at the exhibition, the Nature Reserve encompassed all of Labrador, but doesn't include the shore.
This panel also showed plans to develop Bukit Chermin, which is next to Labrador and at the mouth of Berlayar Creek.
On yet another panel, Labrador shore is featured as one of the 4 Nature Reserves and 18 Nature Areas 'safeguarded'.
With a photo of Labrador Beach to illustrate this.
Ironically, the photo has the cofferdam in the background. More about the cofferdam and the impact it had on this last natural rocky shore and reef on mainland Singapore.
Although all the maps at the exhibit did not show the impending works on the extension of Pasir Panjang Container Terminal, the big table top model clearly showed the size of this extension.
The model clearly shows the scale and size of this development. And its possible impact on the surrounding shores at Labrador, Sentosa and Cyrene Reefs.
Here's some of the latest on-going works for and related to the Pasir Panjang Terminal extension.
Rock filling near Cyrene with holding area off Labrador Nature Reserve, works to happen from 28 May 08 to 15 July 08.
Sand mining and sand dumping next to Labrador and near Cyrene Reef and Sentosa, works to happen from 16 May 08 to 15 Nov 08.
There are already signs of coral bleaching at Sentosa.
May 31, 2008
Master Plan 2008: Labrador
Is saving our reefs... A LOST CAUSE?
With 88% of region's coral reefs under threat, greater effort must be made to protect them
Chou Loke Ming, Straits Times 31 May 08;
Reefs of islands used by the Singapore military in live-firing exercises are among some of the healthier ones in the country.
MENTION 'coral reef' and the aquamarine expanses of Australia's Great Barrier Reef come to mind.
Less known is that one-third of the world's coral reefs are in South-east Asia, concentrated in seas covering a mere 2.5per cent of the earth's ocean surface.
All groups of reef plants and animals are present, in a wealth of bio-diversity seen nowhere else, which reinforces the region's status as the global centre of coral reefs.
But the great natural heritage of the region has been badly hit by economic development.
While damage has been ramped up since the boom of the 1970s, the regional alarm bell was sounded for the first time in 1993.
Of 49 reefs monitored in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, experts found less than one-fifth in good condition, based on live coral cover.
The assessment was the first based on monitoring of coral reefs, a capacity developed through the Asean-Australia Living Coastal Resources Project. It was estimated that degraded reefs had risen by 70 per cent in the preceding 50 years.
The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network of the International Coral Reef Initiative established an informal network of reef scientists in 1998, making regional assessments possible every two years.
It found that 88 per cent of what remains of South-east Asian reefs are under threat by human activities.
Human impact on coral reefs is varied, including coastal development, marine pollution, overfishing and destructive fishing. During the 1960s and 1970s, coastal development and pollution caused extensive loss and degradation.
By the 1980s, destructive fishing (mainly blast-fishing using explosives) became rampant, destroying large tracts of reefs, including those in remote areas that were once thought of as 'safe'.
Techniques soon evolved into another form of destructive fishing - poison fishing, where fish hiding in reef crevices are stunned by a cyanide solution squirted into the tight confines. The poison silently kills corals and smaller reef organisms that form the reef's ecological fabric.
As the world's appetite for fish increases amid the collapse of international stocks, destructive fishing practices are on the rise, making sustainable use of reef resources seem an almost impossible mission.
Protecting our reefs
ONE of the most common ways to safeguard reefs is to establish Marine Protected Areas. But while the figures sound good on paper - more than 430 areas have been declared - the truth is that they comprise only 8per cent of the region's reefs.
What is worse, only 10 per cent of protected areas are effectively managed by surveillance, for example, to ensure there is no illegal fishing.
Because our reefs are an important food and climate regulation source, their destruction means a loss of what was once considered an infinite food supply, as well as ecological services such as coastal protection, carbon fixation to use up global-warming gases and environmental quality regulation.
Reefs provide for free, services which would cost millions of dollars annually to run. As they degrade, human engineering is necessary to replace some of the lost services.
An example is the construction of sea walls for coastal protection. During the 2004 Asian tsunami, reefs in good condition gave better coastal protection from the force of the tidal waves than damaged ones.
The demise of reefs also means a significant decline of food supplies critical to coastal communities.
Then, there are the recreational benefits. Divers are always in search of pristine reefs and a well-protected reef attracts considerable tourist dollars. A healthy and well-managed reef is worth a lot of money. In fact, the annual economic gain from healthy reefs is estimated at $500,000 per square kilometre. Why then, are reefs constantly under threat?
One can only attribute it to ignorance or opportunistic short-term plundering. Long-term sustainable use is something myopic management fails to recognise because benefits are to be shared with future generations. To them, long-term sustainability is irrelevant to their limited term of governance.
Amid this dismal outlook, is there any hope of saving South-east Asia's reefs?
There are a few cases of effective management, which can and should be replicated to reverse the reef-degradation trend.
One of the best-known cases of a coastal community transforming a degraded reef that had been severely damaged by blast-fishing and overfishing to one that supports sustainable fisheries is that of Apo Island in the Philippines.
The 800 inhabitants of this small island realised in 1982 they had damaged the surrounding reef by overfishing. On the advice of reef scientists, the villagers stopped destructive fishing and set aside a quarter of the reef as a marine sanctuary.
The sanctuary is a protected zone operating as a 'no-take' area.
No one is allowed to fish or extract anything from this zone and even scientific investigations are limited to non-destructive methods.
The sanctuary replenishes the remaining reef, so much so that the entire community has been able to fish at a sustainable level since.
The reef now supports 650 reef fish species and 400 coral species. It now attracts coastal tourists and generates additional income.
The success of this community-organised sanctuary demonstrates the effective role of local communities.
In the Philippines, community-based management is now widely implemented, with mayors of some local districts supporting moves to galvanise the community to halt reef destruction.
Transferring this management capacity across countries is the next step in the battle.
The small village of Blongko, in Indonesia's North Sulawesi, has a 1,200-strong population largely dependent on fishing.
It learnt from the Apo Island marine sanctuary, and went on to establish the community-managed Blongko marine sanctuary 10 years ago.
Other forms of reef management have emerged in the region.
Resort operators with buildings close to good reefs, for example, acknowledge the importance of maintaining reef health as the beautiful corals and fish attract guests.
Some operators even provide resources to cash-strapped government agencies and help pay for boats and fuel for surveillance.
Unintentional protection
UNINTENDED reef management is seen in areas that prohibit visitor access because of security concerns or private-lease arrangements.
Reefs of islands used by the Singapore military in live-firing exercises are among some of the healthier ones in the country.
In Sattaheep, south of Pattaya, Thailand, the reefs are in excellent condition as they lie within a naval base that is off-limits to the public.
A good example of effective management in a region where enforcement is, for the most part, weak or symbolic is the strong protection given to reefs surrounding small islands that attract swiftlets to nest.
The birds roost in caves of these islands and their nests are harvested to produce bird's nest which can fetch up to $5,000 per kilo.
In the Gulf of Thailand, operators paying to harvest the nests take measures to ensure no one goes near the island. Some even hire guards armed with machine guns.
As no one ventures near the islands, the reefs are completely protected and in the best of health.
These different modes of reef protection show that positive action can be taken to prevent the habitat going to waste.
At national levels, more committed policies are needed to conserve reef resources.
Management effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas needs strengthening and review to target larger areas of coral reefs as only 8 per cent of the region's reefs lie within them.
But, as the success stories have shown, the picture is not totally dismal, and much can be done to save our watery treasure troves.
The writer is a professor at the National University of Singapore's Department of Biological Sciences, and has been involved with coral reef management research throughout South-east Asia. He has been a member of the scientific and technical advisory committee of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network since its formation in 1996, serving as chairman from 2003 to 2005.
May 30, 2008
Sentosa Resorts World to shark's fins: "no, but..."
full media reports on wildsingapore news
Shark's fin will be off the Resorts World Sentosa menu, but ...
High rollers can still get their dish and eat it too — the Chinese delicacy will be available on request at the integrated resorts’ private gaming rooms, said Ms Krist Boo, RWS’ head of communications. For business’ sake, “we will never say no to a high roller, but we will try to educate and persuade them”, she said, adding that alternatives like scallops and lobsters would be available.So ostensibly, shark's fins will still be served at Resorts World Sentosa and shark's fins will be stocked in their kitchen, because Resorts World Sentosa has done "their sums".
...
'We did our sums and we cannot say no to the high-rollers. But we felt at least 90 per cent of what might normally be served will be done away with if we take it off the menu,' Ms Boo said.
...
Krist Boo, Resorts World at Sentosa, said: "In the private gaming rooms, if a high roller asks for shark's fin, we will serve it and that's a business decision."
Will Resorts World Sentosa say 'no' to sharks and other marine life in their exhibits? From the Resorts World Sentosa website
With 700,000 fishes in 20 million gallons of water, the Marine Life Park will be the world’s largest oceanarium.In addition, the Resorts World Sentosa website includes this statementOur first-ever oceanarium programme will let guests admire the dolphins going about their natural behavioral activities, as well as dive with and feed menacing 4-meter long tiger sharks. A wading pool for children allows close interaction with curious fishes and an introduction to the wonderful but depleting coral reefs in the oceans.
The acquisition of animals for the Marine Life Park will be done in full compliance with international standards which, in this case, are standards set by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).From the CITES website, whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are listed on Appendix II. What does this mean? From How CITES works
An export permit or re-export certificate issued by the Management Authority of the State of export or re-export is required.While few dolphins are listed in CITES, Universal Studios has distanced itself from reports that it was involved in the use of live dolphins at Resorts World Sentosa. New Zealand has banned the import or capture of live dolphins, forcing realignment of purpose of at least one aquarium.
An export permit may be issued only if the specimen was legally obtained and if the export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species.
A re-export certificate may be issued only if the specimen was imported in accordance with the Convention.
In the case of a live animal or plant, it must be prepared and shipped to minimize any risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment.
No import permit is needed unless required by national law.
In the case of specimens introduced from the sea, a certificate has to be issued by the Management Authority of the State into which the specimens are being brought, for species listed in Appendix I or II.
Resorts World Sentosa today launched a 'marine conservation' programme:
To boost marine research, conservation and education, RWS also launched the RWS Marine Life Fund, which will sponsor efforts of researchers, non-governmental organisations as well as students aged 10 to 18.An aspect of Resorts World Sentosa's 'conservation efforts' highlighted in Resorts World Sentosa's press release was coral relocation:
Entirely funded by RWS, whose parent company is Genting International, the fund will “start small” with up to $100,000 given out this year and next, said Ms Boo. When the resort opens in two years’ time, annual funding will be increased to $1 million.
A quarter of the fund will be set aside for school projects, and there is no cap on applied funding. Applications for $20,000 or less will be assessed by an RWS committee, while those seeking more than $20,000 will also be assessed by an independent reviewer, such as a conservation agency.
Groups from around the world may apply while details have not been firmed up, Ms Boo said. All factors being equal, a project closer to home would probably be given more priority.
Although RWS’ oceanarium drew objections from nature groups when announced two years ago, RWS hopes that through the Marine Life Fund, a group of young volunteers for the oceanarium can eventually be formed.
...
Together with its move to keep shark's fin off its menus, the resort has also launched a Marine Life Fund as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.
It has set aside some US$70,000 (SGD$100,000) for 2008 and 2009 to fund research and conservation efforts, and up to US$700,000 a year when the resort opens in 2010.
A quarter of the fund will be reserved for school projects with a marine conservation theme.
...
The RWS Marine Life Fund will disburse up to S$100,000 each year in 2008 and 2009, and up to S$1 million each year from 2010 when the Resort opens.
'We hope to see some good applications for the Marine Life Fund. What's exciting for us is that this fund is not reserved only for established conservation groups, but it has a pocket solely devoted to kids,' said RWS's Communications head Krist Boo.
'We hope it will encourage children to learn about the ocean, and to love it. The online application process is easy for all.'
To encourage and cultivate an interest for the oceans, besides researchers and NGOs, the Fund is also open to schoolchildren. 25 per cent of this Fund will be set aside for kids working on school projects related to marine conservation. There is no cap on the applied funding, and projects could span anything from fieldwork to classroom models. All applications will be assessed by a RWS committee which oversees the Fund, and for applications for funding above $20,000, an independent reviewer will be included in the assessment.
In 2006, RWS undertook the initiative to relocate corals and other marine life around the northern coastline affected by reclamation works that were carried out as part of the Resort’s construction. To preserve a part of Singapore’s natural marine heritage, the affected corals were moved to the Southern Islands, and are now thriving in their new homes.
Let's recall that the reclamation destroyed the majority of the reef there.
Flashback to the relocation details...Despite trying to "save as much as possible," DHI estimates some two-thirds of the corals will be sacrificed.It's a pity Resorts World Sentosa did not consider integrating the existing reefs into their plans and thus avoid 'sacrificing' them in the first place.
In the Southern Islands, the corals will be tagged, and their health and status will be monitored over 12 months. The survival rate of relocated corals in Singapore is about 80 to 90 per cent.
Since the relocated corals are "thriving", perhaps it's time to ask for a formal update on their status?
Does the public have a right to know? On 22 Aug 07, Sentosa informed me that "On the viewing of the coral monitoring reports, as this is a private project, the reports will not be made available to the public. However, the information can be made available upon request, on a case-by-case basis."
Since Resorts World Sentosa considers the relocated corals "a part of Singapore’s natural marine heritage" can it be "a private project"?
Links to more about the reclamation for Resorts World Sentosa
- A shore doomed to reclamation on the wildsingapore website
- Blog entries about the reclamation on the wildsingapore google reader
- Latest news about dolphins on wildsingapore news
- Latest news about whale sharks on wildsingapore news
May 29, 2008
Petrochemical industry and our southern shores
Some of our natural shores in the South are very close to industrial installations there.
Petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom seen from the shores of Pulau Hantu.
Major industrial installations are located on nearby Jurong Island and Pulau Bukom.
Jurong Island seen from the vast seagrass meadows of Cyrene Reef.Just how major are these industrial installations?
Highway on Jurong Island diverted for petrochem cracker
Charmian Kok, Business Times 28 May 08;
full article on wildsingapore news
JURONG Island will go to great lengths to accommodate the petrochemical industry - as shown by the near-$100 million Jurong Island Highway diversion project.Government will remove hurdles to Jurong Island's boom
'One third of our manufacturing GDP comes from chemicals,' he said. 'We can safely say the bulk of that comes from Jurong Island. If it is an investment that is important to the Singapore economy and adds to the whole value chain, I don't see why we would not divert roads to accommodate it. We need to look at the bigger picture.'
ExxonMobil, Shell projects will give big edge to Singapore chemicals sector: PM
Nisha Ramchandani, Business Times 7 Nov 07;
full article on wildsingapore news
ExxonMobil Chemical Company's massive new petrochemical project here will make Jurong Island the company's biggest integrated manufacturing site worldwide and a strong endorsement of Singapore's pro-business environment.Are there any impacts of petrochemical industries?
Dangers of Singapore as petrochemical hub
Striking a balance between the economy and the environment
Letter from Felix Ang Kok Hou, Straits Times Forum 31 Dec 07
full article on wildsingapore news
A quick search on Google and Wikipedia revealed some startling statistics. Singapore has oil refining capacity of about 1.3 million barrels per day. Malaysia has about 0.5m bpd and Indonesia 1.05m bpd. The US, with the world's largest refining capacity, has 16.7m bpd while Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer, has 2.08m bpd.Two groups fear new Shell plant will endanger marine life
If we look at the per capita numbers, Singapore would be at 0.295 bpd, Malaysia 0.018 bpd, Indonesia 0.0046 bpd, the US 0.055 bpd and Saudi Arabia 0.084 bpd. What this means is that each Singapore resident is bearing more risks of oil refining than probably the rest of the world.
Pulau Hantu one of Singapore's last marine beauty spots
Radha Basu The Straits Times, 4 Jul 05
full article on the wildsingapore website
TWO local marine conservation groups have written to oil giant Shell to raise concerns over its plans to build a petrochemical plant on reclaimed land near Pulau Hantu, one of Singapore's last remaining sites teeming with marine life.What are current plans for petrochemicals in the area?
The Blue Water Volunteers and Hantu Bloggers fear the colourful sea creatures and age-old coral in the area will die if the reclamation proceeds without proper environmental safeguards.
Another major Shell plant on the cards for Singapore
Decision soon on whether US$500m SMPO plant will be sited in Singapore
Ronnie Lim, Business Times 29 May 08;
full article on wildsingapore news
(SINGAPORE) Shell Chemicals is considering Singapore as a possible site for a significant new styrene monomer/propylene oxide (SMPO) plant investment - expected to cost at least US$500 million. This comes even as it is building a US$3 billion-plus petrochemical complex here from which the plant can get its feedstock.Synthetic rubber plant set up to use Bukom petrochemicals
Synthetic rubber plant gives Singapore more bounce
Lanxess's $834m facility will supply to tyre makers in Asia
Ronnie Lim, Business Times 27 Feb 08;
full article on wildsingapore news
(SINGAPORE) Singapore has landed the world's first entirely-new butyl or synthetic rubber plant investment since 2000.Singapore gearing up for more oil refineries
Ronnie Lim, Business Times 11 Feb 08
full article on wildsingapore news
The EDB edge: Gearing up for more oil refineries, biomed projectsSoxal to build $250m hydrogen plant on Jurong Island
EDB also hoping to tap new growth area of health, wellness and ageing
(SINGAPORE) From more oil refineries and planning for a third biomedical park in Tuas for drug-makers, to securing lifestyle projects like big-name, international wellness centres - that's what EDB assistant managing director Aw Kah Peng and her team of 70 are working on this year.
Matthew Phan Business Times 16 Jan 08;
full article on wildsingapore news
At a joint press conference yesterday, Singapore Oxygen Air Liquide (Soxal), a subsidiary of French- owned Air Liquide, said it would invest $250 million to build Singapore's first world-class hydrogen facility on Jurong Island to support Neste, as well as other refiners in the area.Invista builds nitric acid plant on Jurong Island
Matthew Phan, Business Times 14 Nov 07;
full article on wildsingapore news
INVISTA, a US manufacturer of fibres and polymers, is building a US$100 million plant on Jurong Island to make nitric acid, it said at the plant's groundbreaking yesterday.
Nitric acid is a feedstock for adipic acid, which is widely used as an intermediate chemical in many applications, from solvents and lubricants to electronics and cleaning aids.
May 27, 2008
Rock filling near Cyrene with holding area off Labrador Nature Reserve
A) ROCK-FILLING OPERATIONS IN WEST KEPPEL FAIRWAY – SSD5A and SSD5B
B) TEMPORARY HOLDING AREA IN WORKING AREA “A” (OFF LABRADOR PARK)
from PORT MARINE NOTICE No. 108 of 2008 26 May 2008
The existing Port Marine Notice No. 84 of 2008 is superseded by this Port Marine Notice.
With effect from 28 May 08 to 15 July 08, at West Keppel Fairway, Jong Fairway and approaches to Cruise Bay.
Rock-filling works on area SSD-5A will be carried out 24 hours daily, including Sundays, within the shaded areas of SSD-5A (bounded by Point G, I, J, K, L and H).
Rock-filling works on area SSD-5B will be carried out during daylight hours only, including Sundays, within the shaded areas of SSD-5B (bounded by Point G, F, D, E and H).
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-5A” and “SSD-5B”. There will be only one (1) barge carrying out rock-filling works in the working Area “SSD-5A” or “SSD-5B”. The Tremie barge will be held in position by 4-point anchor mooring system. A safety working zone of 200-metre radius is centred 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 Emir Himzari, the project co-ordinator at Tel. 9125 5998, e-mail: emir@eastmarine.com.sg.
wildfilms note: this is the current working area ...Compared to the last working area ...
The working area has moved away from Cyrene Reef ...
Towards Labrador Nature Reserve (MPA should stop calling it Labrador Park). This area is also just off Sentosa's natural shores at Tanjung Rimau.
Not forgetting that at the same time, there is massive sand dumping going on in the same area at the same time ...
Dredging and construction at Sungei Serangoon opposite Pulau Ubin
DREDGING AND MARINE CONSTRUCTION WORKS AT SUNGEI SERANGOON
from PORT MARINE NOTICE NO. 107 of 2008 26 May 2008
With effect from 26 May 08 to 25 Nov 08, at Sungei Serangoon, within a working area bounded by the following coordinates (see attached plan):
Dredging works will be carried out by grab dredgers. The grab dredgers will be held by 4-point anchoring system and each anchor position will be marked by a yellow buoy, Fl Y 3s.
Installation of temporary cofferdam; and construction of gate house, spillway and dam will be carried out within the working area.
Further enquiries relating to the project can be directed to Mr Mok Chin Ket, the project director, at Tel. 9628 7370, email: mokck@koon.com.sg.
Singapore pleasure craft rules changed
Wow! Can we look forward to bringing more people to our shores?
Singapore pleasure craft rules changed
Oh Boon Ping, Business Times 27 May 08;
IT USED to be that pleasure craft operating in port waters could carry no more than 12 passengers unless registered as a passenger ship that complied with the safety requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act. Not any more.
The change came after boat dealership Peninsula Boating appealed to the Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP) for a change in the rules. The company's founder James Purves felt the legislation needed to be updated. In his application, he said: 'Normally, a pleasure craft is designed to carry between eight and 24 people, depending on its size. Those restrictions on the number of people on a boat prevents charter operators from realising the economies of scale by purchasing bigger boats.'
Mr Purves suggested the rules be changed to 'allow a vessel to carry the number of persons it is designed to carry, as this flexibility means that operators/users can make commercial economies of scale and their expensive vessels will be more marketable.'
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) assessed the situation and revised the regulation so pleasure craft carrying more than 12 passengers need no longer be considered passenger ships under the Merchant Shipping Act.
'With this amendment there is no compromise on safety, as all pleasure craft are still subject to annual inspection and certification requirements,' the MPA said in a statement. For example: 'The pleasure craft must obtain a licence issued by MPA to indicate the number of passengers it can carry.'
Before a licence is issued, a craft is inspected to ensure it is seaworthy and that life-saving appliances are sufficient for the number of passengers it can carry. The craft must also be inspected once a year to maintain the validity of the licence. The number of passengers it can carry will depend on boat size, provided the craft is used solely for pleasure purposes.
Businesses that wish to make a suggestion to the PEP on how to cut red tape can do so at www.pep.gov.sg. The panel was set up in 2000 to solicit feedback from businesses on how government rules and regulations can be improved to create a more pro-enterprise environment. The PEP is chaired by Civil Service Head Peter Ho and comprises mainly private sector business leaders.
The Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP) was established in 2000 to actively solicit feedback from businesses on how government rules and regulations can be improved to create a more pro-enterprise environment in Singapore. The PEP is chaired by the Head of Civil Service, Peter Ho, and comprises mainly business leaders from the private sector.
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