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SINGAPORE – The largest artificial reef structure in the Republic to date has been installed on Thursday, November 8 in the waters off 3ha Small Sister's Island, south of Sentosa and about 45 minutes by boat from Marina South Pier.
It is part of an installation that includes eight reef structures in total, all manufactured off-site. They will be fully settled by the end of 2018.
When the corals grow, these reef structures should bring about 1,000 square meters of additional reef substrate to the Sisters Island Marine Park by 2020.
The facility represents an important development of conservation efforts in the southern islands of Singapore, including the sister islands, and is part of the "Grow-a-Reef Garden" project, a collaboration between JTC and the National Parks Board. (NParks)
Announced for the first time last May, the project was proposed as part of efforts to protect coral reefs around Singapore and improve marine biodiversity in the surrounding waters of the island.
Each of these 10-meter high structures will be a three-storey "terraced house" where corals can take root and grow, while creating a new living space for other forms of marine life to live and thrive. , said Parliament Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, who attended the installation of the first structure on Thursday.
Representatives of JTC and NParks, members of the Friend of Marine Park community, donor companies, industry guests, as well as local marine research and interest groups also attended. l & # 39; event.
The structures will be located in the Sister Islands Marine Park, an area of approximately 50 m², which includes approximately 50 football fields, including the Big Sister Islands and Small Sister 's. s and their surrounding reefs, as well as the western reefs of the neighboring island of St. John and Pulau. Tekukor.
They are made from materials such as concrete, fiberglass pipe, steel and recycled rock from other JTC projects. Each structure includes nooks and crannies in which various species of fish and other forms of marine life can find refuge and prosper.
To date, there has been no larger-scale reef installation in Singapore.
Eleven donor companies announced their support for the initiative, each providing amounts ranging from $ 5,000 to $ 100,000, for a total of $ 290,000.
In addition to helping pay for the implementation of the reef structure project, the funds will be used to fund monitoring programs, research projects, educational activities and public awareness.
"We are comforted by the generous support of our industry partners as part of the Grow-a-Reef Garden initiative," said Ng Lang, General Manager of JTC.
"We hope more industry and community representatives will join us in creating a more sustainable environment."
Reef structures are designed to transform the bare seabed into a thriving marine ecosystem, allowing corals to take root and attract fish and other marine species.
"The project (…) will make a significant contribution to improving marine habitats and reef restoration efforts," Tan said.
He added, "There is no quick fix to our environmental challenges, what we need is a range of multidisciplinary solutions that draw on the expertise from different parts. "
Tan said the conservation and long-term management of Singapore's coastal and marine environment is essential for Singapore's future.
"This is particularly timely since the International Coral Reef Initiative has designated this year the International Year of the Reef, and this project will contribute to our efforts to improve Singapore's coral reef ecosystems," he said. -he adds.
Restoration of the reef substrate is an essential step for the recovery of damaged reefs that have become unsuitable for colonization of coral populations.
The new reef structure installed on Thursday will provide a new substrate for corals to attach and grow, mimicking the natural habitats of coral reefs around Singapore.
Once installed, they will be tracked through research initiatives coordinated by NParks, involving various marine interest groups.
Dr. Kenneth Er, CEO of NParks, said the project will facilitate research initiatives that will go a long way toward supporting conservation efforts in other marine areas of Singapore.
"Our marine biodiversity is our common natural heritage, and we are pleased to see the partners commit to keeping it," Er said.
Singapore has lost about 60 percent of its reefs as a result of land reclamation.
Local reefs are also recovering from the bleaching of 2016, caused by an extended period of high sea surface temperatures.
Corals stressed by sudden changes in temperature, light or nutrient levels expel the microscopic algae that live in their tissues.
Algae, called zooxanthellae, have a symbiotic relationship with corals. They are the main source of food for the coral and give it its color.
Without algae, coral is deprived of its main source of nutrients. It then becomes white or very pale and becomes very sensitive to diseases.
Partially bleached corals were seen around Big Sister Island in November 2016. It is estimated that about 15 to 20% of corals in Singapore waters died from bleaching.
In a statement, the National Environment Agency said the installation completes other efforts by NParks to expand the scope and scale of other programs restoration of the marine habitat. For example, the NParks in situ coral nursery will also be established in this reef garden.
Rare corals that may be threatened by coral bleaching can also be moved to this controlled environment to ensure their survival.
"We are comforted by the efforts of the business community to share our marine biodiversity conservation goals and to encourage the vibrant Sisters-Islands Marine Park," said Stephen Beng, president of the Sisters & Islands Marine Park. the Friends of the Marine Park community.
"We are optimistic about the benefits this new reef habitat will bring to our waters."
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