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Marine Science in the Southern Islands
Text by Kent GOEKING
Photos by HO Shu Fen
On 25 January 2003 (Sat), 31 RSYC members, guests and staff toured
the Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI) on St. John's Island.
The trip was organised by the RSYC Marine Environment Sub-Committee
as part of that committee's mission to raise awareness and education
of marine environment issues to RSYC members.
The day started at 9am at RSYC with three chartered water taxis.
We all managed to gather as a group at around 10am on the jetty
for the short walk across the island to the TMSI facility. The
research scientist of TMSI, Dr. Elizabeth Taylor, was kind enough
to organize the tour, and in addition to herself, several researchers
kindly gave up their Saturday off to host the RSYC group.
Before trekking over to the facility, Dr. Taylor gave us an overview
of the significant development that is occurring on St. John's
and neighboring Lazarus Island. The project involves linking up
the islet of Kias and the three islands of St. John's, Lazarus
and Pulau Seringat through land reclamation and the construction
of 2 causeways. The reclamation of approximately 34 ha of land
over the foreshore and reefs of the Southern Islands will help
create the critical land mass necessary for a successful recreational
and resort development.
The Southern Island development project, which is managed by the
Singapore Tourism Board, is intended to be an eco-sensitive project
where developments complement conservation efforts. The emphasis
will be on exploring the natural potential of the islands and
the aesthetic possibilities of waterfront developments. The aim
is to provide a wide range of water activities and natural land
and marine attractions, and at the same time retain a unique village
atmosphere without any traffic pollution or urban congestion.
About 1,700 apartments and houses will dot the reclaimed land
from merging
Pulau Seringat and Lazarus Island.
There will also be two hotels, one on the hilltop and the other
facing the beach. TMSI and other scientific communities have also
been established on St. John's Island to be part of the live-in
community that forms the backbone of a viable and
sustainable development. The TMSI facilities are in fact also
brand new, having opened officially just last October. The RSYC
group was treated to an overview of the range of scientific research
that is conducted at the institute, and a brief video of the marine
environment in the southern Singapore waters. Following that,
we received a brief lecture on fouling research around Singapore.
Fouling is the growth of marine animals and plants on nonnatural
surfaces, like boat bottoms,
jetties, and buoys. The pictures of some of the boat bottoms looked
as beautiful as any coral reef!
 After
the lectures, the group toured several parts of the research facility.
Of particular interest was their program to repopulate seahorse
species in Singapore waters. Seahorses are threatened by their
harvesting for use in Chinese medicine which has dwindled their
populations. By carefully controlling the conditions of spawning
and growth of the baby seahorses, researchers hope to be able
to release many new juvenile seahorses into the local waters.
Other breeding programs on display were for the giant clam and
several varieties of fish. The children also got to touch various
sea creatures in the touching pool. Overall it was a great trip
and it was good to see so many members and children interested
in the local marine environment. The Marine Environment Sub-committee
will continue to plan such events, encouraged by the good turnout
for TMSI. A special thanks to the Events Department for helping
coordinate this trip.
About
the Author
Dr. Kent Goeking chairs the RSYC Marine Environment Sub-Committee
and is an active sailor with an appreciation and concern for environmental
issues that impact Singapore's Southern Islands.
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