tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80885672186840835812024-02-08T12:01:40.928+08:00Singapore Celebrates IYOR 2008initiatives to act for our reefs in 2008 and beyondRia Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-24819727872402805032017-09-04T08:13:00.004+08:002018-01-08T16:33:02.251+08:00IYOR 2018: Singapore Celebrates our Shores!Ten years later, IYOR is back! And Singapore celebrates once again, all our shores!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wildsingapore/34712361135/in/album-72157687310064690/" title="Celebrating Singapore shores for IYOR 2018 logo"><img alt="Celebrating Singapore shores for IYOR 2018 logo" height="320" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4179/34712361135_e7659202f3_z.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
Visit the <a href="http://celebratingsingaporeshores.blogspot.sg/">Celebrating Singapore Shores</a> for IYOR 2018 and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CelebratingSingaporeShores/">facebook page</a> for the latest updates! Learn more with opportunities to intern as well as volunteer.
Lots of events to look forward to!Ria Tanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770926654830427210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-34008742489376045162009-06-02T23:47:00.000+08:002009-01-01T22:33:44.922+08:00Celebration Guestbook: Speak for the Reefs!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglq8l3Cf2NuKyFWYXTPE7dJIDhWTQUfNNceGdNEpB9pvbtVWjVhn1toNELUV5Bu25hYWUYC-szEpZfxJFrWM0C97HKQQ89L8-P-AjzKE_SU6XnPa3x3HLkW389nY6lFWM8rMSQCD67-2M/s1600-h/fiddler.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglq8l3Cf2NuKyFWYXTPE7dJIDhWTQUfNNceGdNEpB9pvbtVWjVhn1toNELUV5Bu25hYWUYC-szEpZfxJFrWM0C97HKQQ89L8-P-AjzKE_SU6XnPa3x3HLkW389nY6lFWM8rMSQCD67-2M/s400/fiddler.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154852105143614002" border="0" /></a>Share your hopes for our reefs and shores by leaving a comment on this post.<br /><br />Every voice counts! <br /><br />You <span style="font-weight:bold;">CAN </span>make a difference!<br /><span class="fullpost"></span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-63833824323091201372009-04-24T13:12:00.000+08:002009-05-04T15:10:34.836+08:00Blue Plan to save Singapore's biodiversity-rich coral reefs readyConservationists urge Govt to step in to save what's left<br />Grace Chua, <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Singapore/Story/STIStory_367720.html">Straits Times</a> 24 Apr 09;<br /><br />THE most comprehensive proposal yet to save Singapore's coral reefs was released yesterday. It called for the Government to formally recognise the richness of reef habitats like Raffles Lighthouse and Cyrene Reef in the southern islands.<br /><br />Over 60 per cent of coral reefs here have been lost to development, and the rest is under threat from climate change and pollution.<br /><br />The remaining 5 to 10 sq km of reefs harbour more than 250 species of hard corals, 120 species of fish and 12 seagrass species - almost on a par with the rest of South-east Asia's hot spots for biodiversity.<br /><span class="fullpost"> <br />The marine conservation Blue Plan, over a year in the making, was compiled by a team of academics, environmental organisations and civil society groups.<br /><br />They intend to seek public feedback and release a final version in late May to the National Parks Board, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and other government agencies.<br /><br />Mr Farid Hamid, chairman of the Blue Plan committee, said: 'These reefs are part of our national heritage, and we have a moral and ethical responsibility to pass that heritage on to generations to come.'<br /><br />He added that the Blue Plan was a step towards protecting other marine habitats, such as mangroves and rocky shores.<br /><br />The committee's main recommendations to the Government include conserving what remains of Singapore's natural coastline, conducting a biodiversity survey of reefs, and reviewing laws about reef-damaging practices, such as the use of drift nets, which can ensnare turtles and dolphins.<br /><br />Mr Francis Lee, chairman of the International Year of the Reef Singapore campaign and who contributed to the Blue Plan, said: 'Protecting reefs is not a zero- sum game, and it need not be development against conservation.'<br /><br />Marine areas here are home to a broad variety of species, with more found each year.<br /><br />At least three new species of fish - including the 2.5cm-long broad-barred mangrove goby - have been discovered here since 2001, while boaters and divers spot dolphins and sea turtles regularly.<br /><br />In addition, reefs play an important role in protecting coasts from the effects of sea-level rise due to global warming.<br /><br />They could also be a tourist attraction or a source of drug discovery - last year, a researcher here found a compound in blue-green algae from Pulau Hantu that killed cancer cells.<br /><br />Calls to save Singapore's reefs date back to the 1980s and 1990s, so the Blue Plan is one more in a long line of proposals.<br /><br />In fact, the current Blue Plan builds on recommendations from a previous version, submitted to the Government's Feedback Unit in 2001.<br /><br />Experienced marine biologist Chou Loke Ming, who contributed to the proposal, was optimistic that it would be implemented.<br /><br />'Starting in the mid-90s, you saw sustainable development projects like (offshore landfill) Pulau Semakau. So attitudes have changed for the better, and we're no longer seeing the unnecessary destruction of coral reefs,' Professor Chou said.<br /><br />Mr Lee added that public awareness and interest was another encouraging sign.<br /><br />Each year, about 100,000 people go on guided reef walks or dives here, and about 3,500 are marine-conservation volunteers.<br /><br />The Blue Plan was released at the opening of the Asia Dive Expo 2009 at the Marina at Keppel Bay yesterday.<br /><br />It can be downloaded at the International Year of the Reef 2008 Singapore campaign's website at <a href="http://iyor08singapore.blogspot.com/2009/04/draft-blue-plan-seeks-your-feedback.html">iyor08singapore.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />Feedback can be sent to <a href="mailto:blueplan.singapore@gmail.com">blueplan.singapore@gmail.com</a> before May 14. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Save Singapore reefs</span><br />Grace Chua, <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_367656.html">Straits Times Breaking News</a> 23 Apr 09;<br /><br />THE most comprehensive proposal to save Singapore's coral reefs yet was released on Thursday, calling for the government to formally recognise the richness of reef habitats like Raffles Lighthouse and Cyrene Reef in the southern islands.<br /><br />Over 60 per cent of coral reefs here have been lost to development, and the rest is under threat from climate change and pollution.<br /><br />Yet the remaining 5 to 10 square km of reefs harbour more than 250 species of hard corals, 120 species of fish and 12 seagrass species - almost on par with the rest of South-east Asia's hotspots for biodiversity.<br /><br />The marine-conservation Blue Plan, over a year in the making, was compiled by a team of academics, environment NGOs and civil society groups.<br /><br />They intend to seek public feedback and release a final version in late May to the National Parks Board, the Urban Redevelopment Authority and other government agencies.<br /><br />Mr Farid Hamid, the chairman of the Blue Plan committee, said: 'These reefs are part of our national heritage, and we have a moral and ethical responsibility to pass that heritage on to generations to come.'<br /><br />He added that the Blue Plan was a step towards similar proposals for other marine habitats, such as mangroves and rocky shores.<br /><br />The committee's main recommendations to the government include conserving what remains of Singapore's natural coastline, conducting a biodiversity survey of reefs, and reviewing laws about reef-damaging practices, such as the use of drift nets, which can ensnare turtles and dolphins.<br /><br />Mr Francis Lee, chairman of the International Year of the Reef Singapore campaign and who contributed to the Blue Plan, said: 'Protecting reefs is not a zero-sum game, and it need not be development against conservation.'<br /><br />Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times. </span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-92191748440399762582009-04-21T13:13:00.012+08:002009-04-24T13:57:50.970+08:00Draft Blue Plan seeks your feedback<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3531/3463694903_ea08f66de7.jpg" width=400><br />"The <a href="http://snipurl.com/geoin">Draft Blue Plan</a> is a proposal to the Government and people of Singapore from the members and organizations that form “International Year of the Reef (IYOR) 2008 Singapore” – interested members of civil society concerned about the conservation and management of Singapore’s coral reef heritage. Contributions and advice from the leading marine biologists in Singapore have been incorporated. It was released on 23 April 2009. Members of the Public can <a href="http://snipurl.com/geoin">download a copy of the Draft Blue Plan here</a>. <br /><br />Comments and suggestions from members of public are invited. You may email us at <a href="mailto:blueplan.singapore@gmail.com">blueplan.singapore@gmail.com</a> before the closing date, 14 May 2009. The Blue Plan will presented to the Government with the collated and edited comments in late May 2009.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Please note that blueplan.singapore@gmail.com is designed to receive emails only. While we will give every opinion/comment due consideration, due to human resource constraints, we are unable to respond to queries and may not be able to include every comment into the final Blue Plan due to editorial considerations. Please contact the Marine Conservation Organisations Listed in Annexes B & C of the Draft Blue Plan if you are keen to find out more about the wide range of activites and programmes that are being organised. We apologize for this inconvenience."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">See also</span><br /><a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2009/04/blue-plan-to-save-singapores.html">Blue Plan to save Singapore's biodiversity-rich coral reefs ready</a><br />Conservationists urge Govt to step in to save what's left<br />Grace Chua, Straits Times 24 Apr 09;</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-25024287036873153462009-04-21T13:12:00.006+08:002009-04-21T13:22:04.866+08:00IYOR Singapore closes at ADEX, 23-26 AprSingapore's efforts for International Year of the Reef 2008 will officially come to a close at the Asian Dive Expo 23-26 Apr at Marina at Keppel Bay.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh107HYFLjjUFCOrNTiwCaiKhzz6-vtBZrvyg_V-w1ql_Mgb6YWAe11Ii8_VkW3t0pAkhsC7eT6KD5PFz75PVwDqE9pRlbuNVE7g8yx1vpPGp3jeZD89ZFebgHMnnZuaJx78VdujepCIA/s1600-h/adex.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh107HYFLjjUFCOrNTiwCaiKhzz6-vtBZrvyg_V-w1ql_Mgb6YWAe11Ii8_VkW3t0pAkhsC7eT6KD5PFz75PVwDqE9pRlbuNVE7g8yx1vpPGp3jeZD89ZFebgHMnnZuaJx78VdujepCIA/s400/adex.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327009360063414514" border="0" /></a><br />The events will include a presentation on a Blue Plan.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />from the <a href="http://www.asiadiveexpo.com/Adex-Programme.html">ADEX website</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Opening Ceremony</span><br /><br />1330 hrs : Address @ EcoVillage by Mr Herman Ho, Managing Director, TMX Show Productions Pte Ltd<br /><br />1340 hrs : Special Presentation, Mr Emory Kristof, Deep Sea Explorer, Photographer, National Geographic, Fellow Explorer Club<br /><br />1425 hrs : Closing Report of IYOR Singapore 08, Mr Francis Lee, Chairman, IYOR 08 Singapore Organising Committee<br /><br />1435 hrs : Keynote Speech on the initiatives for Blue Plan I & II, Edwin Khew, Nominated Member of Parliament<br /><br />1445 hrs : Speech on the Coral Triangle – Marine Conservation in the Asia Pacific<br />Lida Pet-Soede, Leader of WWF’s Coral Triangle Network Initiative<br /><br />1500 hrs : Presentation of Outline of Blue Plan II, Farid Hamid, Chairman of Blue Plan Sub-Committee<br /><br />More details on the <a href="http://www.asiadiveexpo.com/index.htm">ADEX website</a>.</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-7520557724634896852009-02-21T13:02:00.000+08:002009-02-21T13:18:27.960+08:0027 Feb (Fri): Free screening of "Remember Chek Jawa"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-4H9JQU203kX8RgWlRdXBULHKub3oQN3kTpLVD431yeE03r7v79yLHuN7DnrT13njhXiYgQTuWqmDGnJY-sDNIvrz9iAm0fTfePSy4tLTiTM8xTK3rcB92H9IBqRZqz2WLmRu7AfXKU/s1600-h/1347376426_bde40b0dd4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-4H9JQU203kX8RgWlRdXBULHKub3oQN3kTpLVD431yeE03r7v79yLHuN7DnrT13njhXiYgQTuWqmDGnJY-sDNIvrz9iAm0fTfePSy4tLTiTM8xTK3rcB92H9IBqRZqz2WLmRu7AfXKU/s400/1347376426_bde40b0dd4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217545620891379202" border="0" /></a>Eric <span class="style8">Lin Youwei's "Remember Chek Jawa" will be screened as part of </span>the 3rd Singapore Indie Doc Fest.<br /><br />Chek Jawa, discovered only in 2001 on Singapore’s Pulau (island) Ubin, is an inter-tidal area of just 1 square km with amazingly rich marine biodiversity. However, unknown to many, in 1992 the area had been slated for land reclamation, scheduled to begin just months from the discovery date. Most Singaporeans felt powerless to reverse the Government’s decision. However, a band of passionate volunteers refused to give up and believed that something could be done. Find out how they followed their hearts and helped change the course of nature conservation in Singapore forever.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />More details <a href="http://www.substation.org/3SIDF/#FringeDetails">about the screening</a>.<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzGE7FSWiqE">Trailer on YouTube</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time: </span>7.30pm<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venue:</span> Singapore Art Museum - Glass Hall<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.chekjawa.net/">http://www.chekjawa.net/</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contact:</span> 6337 7535 <a href="mailto:admin@substation.org">admin@substation.org</a></span></span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-18009326471654851482009-02-04T08:02:00.000+08:002009-02-04T09:49:31.713+08:00Wild dolphins spotted!Wild dolphins spotted near Pulau Terkukor which lies between Sentosa Island and St. John's Island.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNoynQknkzDcomVh6XVp31yyMgs7TZbdqD4a-lVGhraLAIY3bvlyqM5WOKSZPMpLSRkIXqTTQPCs_lJn1vdETOOCCmwpoF9kKmO4_kz2XMVVPIZA3OSLP_G9ncpzEq-daCAK1eahqTfA/s1600-h/IMGP2636.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNoynQknkzDcomVh6XVp31yyMgs7TZbdqD4a-lVGhraLAIY3bvlyqM5WOKSZPMpLSRkIXqTTQPCs_lJn1vdETOOCCmwpoF9kKmO4_kz2XMVVPIZA3OSLP_G9ncpzEq-daCAK1eahqTfA/s400/IMGP2636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298750941265900434" border="0" /></a><br />"I was happily taking photos of Pulau Tekukor when Mei Lin suddenly tapped me hard to tell me there's a group of three pink dolphins on the other side of the boat. It was around 8.36am."<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />More about this dolphin sighting on Kok Sheng's <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2009/02/dolphins-spotted-off-tekukor.html">wonderful creations blog</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More recent wild dolphin sightings</span><br /><ul><li>Aug 08, dead dolphin washed ashore on Labrador on the <a href="http://iyor08singapore.blogspot.com/2008/08/dead-dolphin-on-labrador-7-aug-08.html">habitatnews blog</a><br /></li><li>Jun 08 near Pulau Semakau on the <a href="http://uforest.blogspot.com/2008/06/dolphin.html">urban forest blog</a></li><li>Jun 08 near Cyrene Reefs on the <a href="http://wildfilms.blogspot.com/2008/06/zoanthids-of-cyrene-reefs.html">wildfilms blog</a></li><li>Jun 08 near Pulau Semakau on the <a href="http://iyor08singapore.blogspot.com/2008/02/another-dolphin-sighting.html">ashira blog</a></li><li>Dec 07 near St John's Island on the <a href="http://uforest.blogspot.com/2007/12/dolphin-sighting.html">urban forest blog</a> with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiEEmPLCJJ0">video clip</a></li></ul><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/news/topics/dolphins.htm">More past dolphin sightings</a> links on the wildsingapore website.</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-76581253112463336742009-02-01T16:02:00.000+08:002009-02-01T16:59:25.714+08:006 Feb (Fri): Workshop for Nature Guides - Fishes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2767084815_53bda49424.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 227px; height: 308px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2767084815_53bda49424.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Fishy Workshop</span><br />by the Leafmonkey Workshop<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What's so fishy?</span><br />Well the workshop is all about marine fishes in our Singapore shores and waters! This workshop is for existing guides and those interested in becoming nature guides to learn how to effectively share stories and information about our marine fishes.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />The focus of this workshop is on connecting ordinary people with nature. If you are a nature guide and have been struggling, trying to digest and convert biological facts to fun stories for your visitors, this workshop is for you!<br /><br />This workshop aims to bring experienced and new nature guides together to brainstorm ideas. Let's learn from one another, and come up with new ways to share our passion.<br /><br />Be prepared to work hard, have fun, make new friends and definitely learn new ways of looking at guiding and our wild places.<br /><br /><b>SPEAKER</b><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/riablog/people/ria.htm">Jeffrey Low</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/">Blue Water Volunteers and NParks</a><br />Jeff is a marine biologist by training and profession. He is the scientific officer of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bluewatervolunteers.org/">Blue Water Volunteers</a> and co-author of the <a href="http://habitatnews.nus.edu.sg/guidebooks/marinefish/index.htm">Guide to Common Marine Fishes of Singapore</a> published by the Singapore Science Center. Jeff also conducts a series of <a target="_blank" href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2008/12/upcoming-reeffriends-training-course.html">ReefFriends training sessions</a> for volunteer divers surveying our shores.<br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2773614532_2741490d2e.jpg?v=0" width="400" /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Jeff giving <a href="http://iyor08singapore.blogspot.com/2008/07/are-there-reefs-left-in-singapore.html">a talk about corals in Singapore</a> at the International Year of the Reef 2008 launch, Reef Celebrations, with a <a href="http://iyor08singapore.blogspot.com/2008/08/are-there-reefs-left-in-singapore-video.html">video clip of his talk</a> on the Singapore Celebrates our Reefs blog.</span><br /><br /><b></b>More details of the event on the <a href="http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/2009/01/fishy-workshop.html">Leafmonkey Workshop</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time:</span> 7 - 9.30pm<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venue:</span> Civil Service College, 31 North Buona Vista Road Singapore 275983 [<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2982866827_ff4f070423_b.jpg">Map</a>]<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website:</span> <a href="http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/">http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contact:</span> <a href="mailto:leafmonkey@gmail.com">leafmonkey@gmail.com</a></span></span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-14518711421904708902009-01-31T17:02:00.000+08:002009-01-31T17:22:46.226+08:00Upcoming new IMAX movie "Under the Sea 3D"Narrated by comedian Jim Carrey, IMAX have given a sneak peek into <a href="http://www.imax.com/underthesea/">"Under the Sea 3D"</a>, their latest movie shot in the most exotic and isolated undersea locations. Among the introductory clips is this one about sharks and fish in the <a href="http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/asia_pacific/our_solutions/coraltriangle/imax/">Coral Triangle</a>.<embed src="http://cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com/storage/xplayer/ac001.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="325" swliveconnect="true" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" flashvars="e=4bffc0037b3a3a49328d685cccfc7c21cc002973d57a44951a38fddf065f5c696a66be9b89ee2d2f0947d4e15d253124c7d296b9a2a5d695fdd446d15f64f11765e48c3e69f68736f2c5dd1402967dbf383ccf85d3b0fcebe03d&width=400&height=325&pid=ac001&autostart=false&allowscriptaccess=always&usefullscreen=true&esnapshot=4bffc0037b3a3a49328d685cccfc7c21cc002973d57a44951a38fddf065f5c696a66be9b89ee2d2f094ccde2702233248cc0aabdb5bbd88cfcd858d05565f85d6ea5d87835adc773b1dfd90b078c63fa7874&trueurl=undefined"></embed><br />There are more clips about reef sounds, Australian lion fish, a sea turtle eating a jellyfish and corals of the Coral Triangle. It will be showing from 13 Feb and hopefully also at our own <a href="http://www.omnitheatre.com.sg/index.html">Omni-Theatre</a> at the Singapore Science Centre.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Five Stunning Clips and a Trailer From 'Under the Sea 3D'</span><br /><a href="http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00021663.html">Aceshowbiz</a> 31 Jan 09;<br /><blockquote>IMAX have given a sneak peek into "Under the Sea 3D" by releasing trailer and five clips of the 3-D documentary. While the trailer explores the overall beauty and natural wonder of the oceans, each of the clip serves as an individual introduction of some of the ocean creatures, from reef squids to green sea turtle.<br /><br />Narrated by comedian Jim Carrey, the five clips are titled "Reef Sound", "Australian Sea Lions", "Coral Triangle 1: Coral", "Coral Triangle 2: Sharks and Fish" and "Green Sea Turtle and Jellyfish". Around a minute long, each of the clips takes its focus on the uniqueness of the sea creatures put under the spotlight and helps one to understand how global climate change impacts the creatures.<br /><br />Set to be released on February 13, "Under the Sea 3D" is a 3-D documentary from director Howard Hall. Taking place at some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth, including Southern Australia, New Guinea and others in the Indo-Pacific region, it allows viewers to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea.</blockquote><br /><br />More on the <a href="http://www.imax.com/underthesea/">"Under the Sea 3D"</a> website.</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-65575996506125847622009-01-29T20:01:00.000+08:002009-01-29T22:00:12.598+08:004 Feb (Wed): Launch of "Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008" and Public Lecture on "Sustainable Development of Coasts and Oceans"<div style="text-align: center;">Southeast Asia Launch<br />of the Report on the<br />"Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">in conjunction with</span><br /><br />Public Lecture on<br />"Sustainable Development of Coasts and Oceans:<br />threats, opportunities and responsible governance"<br />by Dr. Chua Thia-Eng<br />Chair of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council<br />of the Partnerships in Environmental Management<br />for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA)<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">About the Book Launch</span><br />This "Status of coral Reefs of the World:2008" is under the auspices of the <a href="http://www.gcrmn.org/">Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network</a> (GCRNM) of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI). The lead author for the Southeast Asia chapter, Ms Karenne Tun of the National University of Singapore will be presenting a summary of the "Status of Coral Reefs in Southeast Asia 2008". <a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2008/12/fifth-of-corals-dead-only-emission-cuts.html">Media articles</a> about this Report, and <a href="http://www.gcrmn.org/publications.aspx">previous Reports by the GCRNM</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">About the Public Lecture</span><br />A brief introduction of ocean as the last frontier: its importance to the survival of mankind, its contribution to marine economy and the focus of human activities and culture in the 21st century. An analysis of old and new challenges (climate change, energy and financial crisis) to the security of the ocean and the new opportunities (including ecological and biological economies) arising from them. The need for developing and strengthening responsible ocean governance and activities and role and key activities of PEMSEA in promoting regional cooperation and partnership in addressing these challenges.<br /><br />All are welcome!<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Programme Outline</span><br /><ul><li>6.30 pm: The Southeast Asia Launch of the Report on the "Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008" – Presentation on the summary of the SE Asia Chapter by Ms Karenne Tun</li><li>7.00 pm: Public Lecture on "Sustainable Development of Coasts and Oceans: threats, opportunities and responsible governance" by Dr. Chua Thia-Eng</li><li>8.00pm: Q&A Session</li><li>8.15pm: End of event</li></ul><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time:</span> 6.30pm; refreshments will be served from 5.45pm onwards<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venue: </span>Botany Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens<br /><a href="http://www.sbg.org.sg/tanglincore/tanglincore.asp">Location map</a> and <a href="http://www.sbg.org.sg/visitorinfo/openinghours.asp">getting there</a> on the Botanic Gardens website<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contact:</span> Rachel/Shufen at 6465 1690/1</span></span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-44303791312195551312009-01-16T20:01:00.000+08:002009-01-17T00:28:50.482+08:00Ocean Conference at ADEX Singapore 3-4 Apr 09<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwz5ueytQbVief-1a4BcS07j8GE6H74uDxtLhyphenhyphenF0Qmfmpd3oa9RRqaE4u1WmSc-l1OKgiHg_zwPkH05gdJtah80mEcmOnFsAfICD932ZGrgB8j9Pu8nRXNY1U2Y9-_uoZEHay2IUi_SvE/s1600-h/adex.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwz5ueytQbVief-1a4BcS07j8GE6H74uDxtLhyphenhyphenF0Qmfmpd3oa9RRqaE4u1WmSc-l1OKgiHg_zwPkH05gdJtah80mEcmOnFsAfICD932ZGrgB8j9Pu8nRXNY1U2Y9-_uoZEHay2IUi_SvE/s400/adex.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291928691566593554" border="0" /></a>Topics to be covered include: Aquariums & Oceanariums, Marine Eco Tourism, Regenerating Reefs, Climate Change with speakers such as Prof Chou Loke Ming, Neville Coleman, Michael Aw.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Ocean Conference is a special focus conference for companies with strong environmental stewardship, conservationists, passionate divers, marine enthusiasts and underwater photographers.<br /><br />It is the first and largest event of its kind in Singapore where 8 internationally renowned experts will convene to offer professional insight into various aspects of the vast marine environment. 150 delegates from around the world are expected at Ocean Conference.<br /><br />3 April 2009 - Friday<br /><ul><li>Opening address – The Ocean In Perspective: Emory Kristof</li><li>Underwater Rainforests – The Challenges of Preserving Coral Reefs: Helen Newman/ Mark Erhmann</li><li>Marine Eco Tourism - The Asia/Indo-Pacific Marine Life Inventory: Neville Coleman</li><li>Regenerating Reefs – Facts and Fallacies: Prof Chou Loke Ming</li><li>Changing the Face of Ocean Terror: Michael Aw</li></ul>4 Aprl 2009 - Saturday<br /><ul><li>Marine Tourism – Boon and Bane, Advantages or Nuisances: Neville Coleman (Chair), Helen Newman, Henrik Nimb, Yatin Premchand</li><li>Climate Change, Coral Reefs & Scuba Diver: Prof Chou Loke Meng (Chair), Henrik Nimb, Howard Shaw, Mark Erdmann</li><li>Aquariums & Oceanariums - Contentious Issues: Emory Kristof (Chair), Henrik Nimb, Neville Coleman, Yatin Premchand</li><li>Carbon’s Footprint and its Effects on the Ocean: Howard Shaw</li><li>Projecting Green Branding, Mere Advertising or True CSR?: Howard Shaw (Chair), Helen Newman, Neville Coleman, Michael Aw </li></ul>Dates: 3 and 4 April 2009<br />Time: 3 April, 2.00pm – 5.30pm, Conference Sessions;<br />4 April, 9.30am – 5.00pm, Conference Sessions & Panel Discussion<br />Venue: Suntec Singapore, 602-603<br /><br />More details on the <a href="http://www.asiadiveexpo.com/Ocean-Conference.html">ADEX website</a>.<br /></span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-89412304001601430852009-01-15T19:00:00.002+08:002009-01-15T19:44:58.947+08:00WWF Singapore looking for Singapore Sustainable Seafood Campaign consultantThe live reef fish trade (LRFT) has been identified as a serious threat. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTZFLdzoGeFLzmq8-9aRFhnqnTugpWiJJi2hVsH47qnaQjJeKJFAaCx50MkR5hJY5MkQsGj8Wmdu5EBnv0X_Vim9AZFTjDhCwBS4iD_LUfFehiO7k8DyacA890dz7xjq0-qo9rTlXs2s/s1600-h/napoleon_tank_mdepraz42960_117959.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTZFLdzoGeFLzmq8-9aRFhnqnTugpWiJJi2hVsH47qnaQjJeKJFAaCx50MkR5hJY5MkQsGj8Wmdu5EBnv0X_Vim9AZFTjDhCwBS4iD_LUfFehiO7k8DyacA890dz7xjq0-qo9rTlXs2s/s400/napoleon_tank_mdepraz42960_117959.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291483336485330290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Juvenile humphead wrasse (far left and far right), amongst other live tropical coral reef fish kept in water tanks before being sold to customers. Fish market, Hong Kong. China. From the <a href="http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/asia_pacific/our_solutions/coraltriangle/solutions/live_reef_fish_trade/index.cfm">WWF website</a>.</span></div><br /><br />WWF Singapore, in partnership with the Coral Triangle Network Initiative (CTNI), has developed a project to increase the awareness of Singaporean consumers on the need to make a sustainable choice when purchasing seafood and to utilize a resident “customized” Singapore seafood guide to make those choices. The awareness campaign will focus on seafood consumption in Singapore.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />In order to develop the full “customized” Singapore seafood guide, an inventory of seafood products traded in Singapore will need to be determined.<br /><br />WWF is seeking an experienced fisheries biologist/ecologist to collect data on seafood on sale in Singapore at various wholesale and retail outlets in Singapore.<br /><br />Interested applicants are requested to send a copy of their CV to Ms Amy Ho, Managing Director, WWF Singapore at aho@wwf.sg, by 24 Jan 2009.<br /><br />Full details on the <a href="http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/asia_pacific/where/singapore/">WWF Singapore website</a>, at <a href="http://assets.panda.org/downloads/tor_seafood_assessment_v2_0__clean_.pdf">this PDF download</a>.<br /><br />See also <a href="http://iyor08singapore.blogspot.com/2008/09/guide-to-sustainable-seafood-choices.html">earlier media reports</a> on this fish guide.<br /></span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-87625750337514540412009-01-15T18:31:00.000+08:002009-01-15T19:57:37.121+08:00First look at data on Singapore's seagrass meadows<a href="http://teamseagrass.blogspot.com/">TeamSeagrass</a> has been monitoring Singapore seagrass meadows for two years. The data is submitted among others to international Seagrass-Watch. Seagrass-Watch HQ has been busy over the New Year updating web pages for each of the monitoring regions with the latest available data.<br /><br />Here's a peek at the trends on Chek Jawa. There's data too for Pulau Semakau!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG27yCHtspM23_gPabPUxunQcgB2Ll2AAkVMfyXKTMmiCYIAraSeAoAjvS8dWl5gAb_m4NqbMihqZwh9tAEFnGK33eKqOxw-o2zLUkC5kf7CFm3YbFox7BPkyLXtFigtgc7vBH_5s3E7gi/s1600-h/CJ_Dec08.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG27yCHtspM23_gPabPUxunQcgB2Ll2AAkVMfyXKTMmiCYIAraSeAoAjvS8dWl5gAb_m4NqbMihqZwh9tAEFnGK33eKqOxw-o2zLUkC5kf7CFm3YbFox7BPkyLXtFigtgc7vBH_5s3E7gi/s400/CJ_Dec08.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291336593637411666" border="0" /></a>As well as write ups about other features of our shores.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Visit the <a href="http://www.seagrasswatch.org/Singapore.html">Seagrass-Watch website pages on Singapore</a> to have a look at what all the hard work by TeamSeagrass has revealed about our shores!<br /><br />To find out more about see the <a href="http://teamseagrass.blogspot.com/">TeamSeagrass blog</a> for registration details. You CAN make a difference for our shores!</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-91352408289581834252009-01-06T10:21:00.001+08:002009-01-06T14:29:18.338+08:00Last lows of 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYype9hHV3mb9RPojk5sNbmuW6yvatV1b8F9wRrwtWT5qzgQrBsivneJlH1moPpC_KxoUtOuGDgI96Hd0m_JuyEsHqez_2YTpIZzXzEVQORh2RUzKrYdDPjEoH0dw8V-cgY5yPfQSURCf/s1600-h/_DSC4515m6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: right; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYype9hHV3mb9RPojk5sNbmuW6yvatV1b8F9wRrwtWT5qzgQrBsivneJlH1moPpC_KxoUtOuGDgI96Hd0m_JuyEsHqez_2YTpIZzXzEVQORh2RUzKrYdDPjEoH0dw8V-cgY5yPfQSURCf/s400/_DSC4515m6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286003028862629442" border="0" /></a>On the dark moonless nights of the last not so low tides of 2008, more shores were explored. The 'moon slug' was spotted again! As well as other surprises: marine and terrestrial on our islands.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />The Hantu Bloggers had their last dive of the year at the fantastic reefs of Pulau Hantu. The intrepid Chay Hoon captured a whole host of the marvellous marine life there. Such as seahorses, icon sea stars, ovulid snails on sea fans and lots and lots of slugs. Including this <a href="http://colorclouds.blogspot.com/2008/12/one-greedy-nudibranch.html">very greedy nudibranch</a>!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLVYC944K3XI-VVlaRiw3uet1Gxkro1DfdyH6n6uwQ6WWR45i4J_iIHpq9OkxNEIrSP5yZrN-hzgXzIEBdmvehnTnUal07mTA7RGYYNJ7crcOM64miCvTflWvhl0_v2po5IYYF8V7TSo/s1600-h/IMG_0920.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLVYC944K3XI-VVlaRiw3uet1Gxkro1DfdyH6n6uwQ6WWR45i4J_iIHpq9OkxNEIrSP5yZrN-hzgXzIEBdmvehnTnUal07mTA7RGYYNJ7crcOM64miCvTflWvhl0_v2po5IYYF8V7TSo/s400/IMG_0920.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288059933400946674" border="0" /></a>The Semakau Book Project brought many nature lovers to Pulau Semakau again. <a href="http://www.butterflycircle.com/">The Butterfly Circle</a> in just one quick visit came up with <a href="http://butterflycircle.blogspot.com/2009/01/pulau-semakau-butterfly-survey.html">18 species of butterflies</a>! John, an expert on bees and wasps also came along and share more about <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/490676735/butterflies-and-bees-of-pulau-semakau.html">this gianormous hornet's nest</a> on the island!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAwZCKfBwCrMCaVz7FF-vlJG-mnop0StLsWwXWAm49m9xoY1OGj5zirOhbrvznlunCoAiXD0AWka3aTMJiGygfuc2EP8ygJplopxBPkqCuQKG4i1iYKy_8uhvWH2k-8vdmSeZjytwlMwW/s1600-h/_DSC3802m6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAwZCKfBwCrMCaVz7FF-vlJG-mnop0StLsWwXWAm49m9xoY1OGj5zirOhbrvznlunCoAiXD0AWka3aTMJiGygfuc2EP8ygJplopxBPkqCuQKG4i1iYKy_8uhvWH2k-8vdmSeZjytwlMwW/s400/_DSC3802m6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281890796647318098" border="0" /></a>While <a href="http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2008/12/old-groves.html">more mangroves were explored</a> with an <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/490676734/more-mangroves-of-pulau-semakau.html">encounter with <span style="font-style: italic;">Avicennia marina</span></a> just off the seawall.<br /><br />The Vertebrate Group (aka the Verters) also made an evening trip to check out the island. These experts helped those unfamiliar with life above the high water mark, to find the vertebrates on Pulau Semakau. There were <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/496804835/vertebrates-of-pulau-semakau.html">frogs and toads and geckoes</a>, even right on the tarmac!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpje8AOXY9pAIKJ3TEO2Yu_jHfKD5-u0Uq3et6PZ9S0yBR631zgAb-6dhJTfdClwA-9TkpVIDigYePmcM3ruj5OCIWQ-AIGZ7UK6nG94uryt1mXNLqLHLNHWnR73qKd9UCiajAlS_p4mJ/s1600-h/_DSC4073m6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpje8AOXY9pAIKJ3TEO2Yu_jHfKD5-u0Uq3et6PZ9S0yBR631zgAb-6dhJTfdClwA-9TkpVIDigYePmcM3ruj5OCIWQ-AIGZ7UK6nG94uryt1mXNLqLHLNHWnR73qKd9UCiajAlS_p4mJ/s400/_DSC4073m6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284693971810815714" border="0" /></a>In the dark, the experts detected signs of <a href="http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2008/12/croak-on-a-rock.html">bats and night birds</a>. While other <a href="http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2008/12/hunter-in-the-dark.html">large marine life</a> in the mangroves were seen, including a <a href="http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2009/01/crabby-new-year.html">humungous Mud crab</a>!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK_aY26ZZmP-msV5kAhW60Qq4HZ-nm17RoGga3ycsHPoCDPiFzUnxTCCkkkt53-QjTpXzeksQHZGPPFNpKOD_N_4WV0dicGyPxIjmkSuVZBa6uuW3S7pYwxpeNYA5HYvf6IThX8hQzppz/s1600-h/_DSC3886m6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK_aY26ZZmP-msV5kAhW60Qq4HZ-nm17RoGga3ycsHPoCDPiFzUnxTCCkkkt53-QjTpXzeksQHZGPPFNpKOD_N_4WV0dicGyPxIjmkSuVZBa6uuW3S7pYwxpeNYA5HYvf6IThX8hQzppz/s400/_DSC3886m6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284690970356824962" border="0" /></a>The blue skies made even <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/490615109/sunny-day-in-south.html">sad situations</a> look nice, and the weather was glorious for <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/496809541/scenic-semakau.html">landscape shots</a>, although the mozzies <a href="http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2008/12/it-hurts.html">made things challeging</a>.<br /><br />Meanwhile <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2008/12/first-time-at-sultan-shoal.html">a visit to Sultan Shoal</a> by other shore explorers revealed some <a href="http://mantamola.blogspot.com/2008/12/purple-fiddler-crab-other-rare.html">interesting fiddler crabs</a> and <a href="http://wherediscoverybegins.blogspot.com/2008/12/discovery-sultan-shoal-on-27-dec-2008.html">other sightings</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdqOOkTp1YIIne1BKCvVEbHN_f82M7q5WDhyphenhyphenVUwKhJJAu3C2cKYcengv14nB0uReAF0OXvcgi8bJ71Pid1myqv33uZOy2t5XndwmdLVrrkcHeqEZGuAA5J0vO6eDofzvSnjfmfVgkeBY/s1600-h/sultanshoalp21.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdqOOkTp1YIIne1BKCvVEbHN_f82M7q5WDhyphenhyphenVUwKhJJAu3C2cKYcengv14nB0uReAF0OXvcgi8bJ71Pid1myqv33uZOy2t5XndwmdLVrrkcHeqEZGuAA5J0vO6eDofzvSnjfmfVgkeBY/s400/sultanshoalp21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288056374733896338" border="0" /></a>Diehard shore explorers spent the absolute last low tide of 2008 at the Sisters Island. Where marvellous <a href="http://sgbeachbum.blogspot.com/2009/01/nemo-dat-duo-habit-big-sisters.html">video clips of 'Nemos'</a> were shot, and the spotted <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/499603193/happy-new-year-from-sisters-island.html">Moon-headed side-gill slug</a> made an appearance, while <a href="http://leafmonkey.blogspot.com/2009/01/welcoming-2009-at-sisters-island.html">two sea snakes</a> said hello.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nNRN-lN1E3Hi9cVYzKCDeqYO_f0XSCYUO6_762ByDts9WbiZbOIGID8UyROHcneCcNQEerdQMraGRS8OsFkrmC1xtzm8jB8NX3U3sdLpkDhQBnTaiSZolVf0imvdM4OAKzIdQhGEeIQ/s1600-h/3158043519_6d00db12a7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nNRN-lN1E3Hi9cVYzKCDeqYO_f0XSCYUO6_762ByDts9WbiZbOIGID8UyROHcneCcNQEerdQMraGRS8OsFkrmC1xtzm8jB8NX3U3sdLpkDhQBnTaiSZolVf0imvdM4OAKzIdQhGEeIQ/s400/3158043519_6d00db12a7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288056370989494418" border="0" /></a>As the tides were not very low during this period, other less glamorous shores were also examined with some surprises! There were <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/496998306/stars-on-sembawang-beach.html">stars on Sembawang shores</a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVTbVa8prouPBP5BP6TFZi5kJYiG3SKSJ5e_8v0ft2xZYZML4OaT380cfwn8n2Y_iKE9I_5uxmBMnwy9MmBl_Vl7waHXrNkCbuqbWh3L-gBbXcaOrvPXLnbKWOnaHaP-fopy7CnnSM90w/s1600-h/_DSC4157m6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqVTbVa8prouPBP5BP6TFZi5kJYiG3SKSJ5e_8v0ft2xZYZML4OaT380cfwn8n2Y_iKE9I_5uxmBMnwy9MmBl_Vl7waHXrNkCbuqbWh3L-gBbXcaOrvPXLnbKWOnaHaP-fopy7CnnSM90w/s400/_DSC4157m6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284817483433445266" border="0" /></a>And stars too at <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2008/12/pasir-ris-quickly.html">Pasir Ris</a> and on the <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2008/12/stars-at-lazarus-reclaimed-beach.html">reclaimed shores of Lazarus</a>. <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/497770352/kranji-quickly.html">Kranji</a> was a little disappointing and <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/498550555/seletar-shore-from-afar.html">Seletar</a> was viewed only from afar.<br /><br />There were also belated updates about <a href="http://lazy-lizard-tales.blogspot.com/2008/10/siloso-suntan_17.html">amazing marine life on Siloso Beach Sentosa</a> on the aptly named Lazy Lizard's Tales blog.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyrV2Mx5H3Ax4wpgVSfFwP_NtmLOLhYNlVLbxOjGuc6eXkP69qEQeB84pP57Vmv1Ztw7NYJgMn1lzkO_6hMjZbY2bE1JB99JIEZxXZEjq36koJp1SNqEY_3DvFYHrDFbFvsYgPwyyc8Y/s1600-h/PC280109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyrV2Mx5H3Ax4wpgVSfFwP_NtmLOLhYNlVLbxOjGuc6eXkP69qEQeB84pP57Vmv1Ztw7NYJgMn1lzkO_6hMjZbY2bE1JB99JIEZxXZEjq36koJp1SNqEY_3DvFYHrDFbFvsYgPwyyc8Y/s400/PC280109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288062874749415554" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/2008/12/last-public-walk-for-2008.html">Naked Hermit Crabs</a> also had a great time at the last guided Chek Jawa Boardwalk tour for the year.<br /><br />The first super low tides of 2009 are fast approaching in a few days' time. No doubt more shore discoveries will be made!<br /><br />Happy 2009 Everyone!</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-52134387885098365392009-01-01T10:21:00.000+08:002009-01-01T22:33:28.306+08:009 Jan (Fri): Workshop on Hard Corals for nature guides<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Hard Cnidarians Workshop</span><br />by the Leafmonkey Workshop<br /><br />What are "hard cnidarians"? These aren't difficult cnidarians, but corals with hard skeletons!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildsingapore/422803998/" title="Living reefs of Raffles Lighthouse, Singapore by wildsingapore, on Flickr"><img style="width: 410px; height: 303px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/176/422803998_be33b1004b.jpg" alt="Living reefs of Raffles Lighthouse, Singapore" /></a>The focus of this workshop is on connecting ordinary people with nature. If you are a nature guide and have been struggling, trying to digest and convert biological facts to fun stories for your visitors, this workshop is for you!<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />This workshop aims to bring experienced and new nature guides together to brainstorm ideas. Let's learn from one another, and come up with new ways to share our passion.<br /><br />Be prepared to work hard, have fun, make new friends and definitely learn new ways of looking at guiding and our wild places.<br /><br /><b>SPEAKER</b><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/riablog/people/ria.htm">Jeffrey Low</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/">Blue Water Volunteers and NParks</a><br />Jeff is a marine biologist by training and profession. He is the scientific officer of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bluewatervolunteers.org/">Blue Water Volunteers</a> and Hard Coral Master (see his <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cat64fish/sets/72157594364391590/">flickr coral guide</a>). Jeff also conducts a series of <a target="_blank" href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2008/12/upcoming-reeffriends-training-course.html">ReefFriends training sessions</a> for volunteer divers surveying our shores.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2773614532_2741490d2e.jpg?v=0" width="400" /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Jeff giving <a href="http://iyor08singapore.blogspot.com/2008/07/are-there-reefs-left-in-singapore.html">a talk about corals in Singapore</a> at the International Year of the Reef 2008 launch, Reef Celebrations, with a <a href="http://iyor08singapore.blogspot.com/2008/08/are-there-reefs-left-in-singapore-video.html">video clip of his talk</a>.</span><br /><br />More details of the event on the <a href="http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/2008/12/hard-cnidarians-workshop.html">Leafmonkey Workshop</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Time:</span> 7 - 9.30pm<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venue:</span> Civil Service College, 31 North Buona Vista Road Singapore 275983 [<a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2982866827_ff4f070423_b.jpg">Map</a>]<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Website:</span> <a href="http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/">http://leafmonkeyworkshop.blogspot.com/</a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contact:</span> <a href="mailto:leafmonkey@gmail.com">leafmonkey@gmail.com</a></span></span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-61313306505560359592008-12-23T10:21:00.000+08:002008-12-23T18:30:19.544+08:00TeamSeagrass and global seagrass monitoring in 2008A bumper issue of the <a href="http://www.seagrasswatch.org/newsletters.html">International Seagrass Watch Newsletter</a> marks the end of 2008 and the beginning of bigger things!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoV6wIzKAoK26mT_Wm7VIm7Vm20_SSUZIrrgn2DjsrnmFvPHrdXvT7sjDgiQD-wvzFa3x4G4Ta6AJO1sZQ-gzmYXOMLp7iaoL09hvKD4qiAIlVCufu5qbBxPvFms6ePG0CMJNaqCp9TzJ/s1600-h/sgw9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoV6wIzKAoK26mT_Wm7VIm7Vm20_SSUZIrrgn2DjsrnmFvPHrdXvT7sjDgiQD-wvzFa3x4G4Ta6AJO1sZQ-gzmYXOMLp7iaoL09hvKD4qiAIlVCufu5qbBxPvFms6ePG0CMJNaqCp9TzJ/s400/sgw9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282924213561068226" border="0" /></a>Our very own <a href="http://teamseagrass.blogspot.com/">TeamSeagrass Singapore</a> is part of this global programme and there's a fabulous article about the Team's efforts throughout the year.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovsotY_20NB-XJXhzQ7cTuMwHnR0oBnaqbZEvyNTHiuCSeGmfnjicyjHd0PKnzCB0ROmygl6Z6ql0v4gHGIuQeR822X4m5ZQWNfJ6J90tE0yH2jEdrqflao0tM0mmLTBXBHhCx0udSaRJ/s1600-h/sgw1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovsotY_20NB-XJXhzQ7cTuMwHnR0oBnaqbZEvyNTHiuCSeGmfnjicyjHd0PKnzCB0ROmygl6Z6ql0v4gHGIuQeR822X4m5ZQWNfJ6J90tE0yH2jEdrqflao0tM0mmLTBXBHhCx0udSaRJ/s400/sgw1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282924023509116338" border="0" /></a>Read more about the Team's past adventures and escapades. Including, "The Fastest Site to Monitor Award", "The Toughest Seagrasser Award", "Best Boatman Award", "The Wonky Tides Award", "The Funniest Gullible Moment Award", and more!<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />There are also fascinating articles about rays, dugongs and seagrass efforts and issues throughout the world. Download the <a href="http://www.seagrasswatch.org/newsletters.html">Seagrass Watch Newsletter</a> and read all the articles for yourself!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Want to join TeamSeagrass?</span> Simply email these details<br />(a) your full name<br />(b) your age<br />(c) your email address<br />(d) your contact number<br />(e) any previous experience<br />to Ria at <a href="mailto:hello@wildsingapore.com">hello@wildsingapore.com</a>, please put "TeamSeagrass" in your subject header.<br /><br />Please read <a href="http://teamseagrass.blogspot.com/2006/10/faq-for-teamseagrass.html">the FAQs on the TeamSeagrass blog</a> for any questions you might have about the programme. This link includes all monitoring dates in Singapore for 2009.<br /><br />See you on the seagrass soon!</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-32420407034199988462008-12-18T15:04:00.000+08:002008-12-18T15:49:39.306+08:00Full moon madness: last low spring tide of 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2_jWkBnFDQhI5wE1pE7bcMi60AAAVZ0irgPWSlVygjvA62wtOrVi6gp4Bz6jBblkdJYlh5InG4D54rQKlNiTVsWH46USUiHHETecMJF1rqZRudZwxQM8d8o9An0KW-0OEoekewqrizk/s1600-h/cyr121208p02.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2_jWkBnFDQhI5wE1pE7bcMi60AAAVZ0irgPWSlVygjvA62wtOrVi6gp4Bz6jBblkdJYlh5InG4D54rQKlNiTVsWH46USUiHHETecMJF1rqZRudZwxQM8d8o9An0KW-0OEoekewqrizk/s400/cyr121208p02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281029780497674754" border="0" /></a>The moon was full (<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20onblur=%22try%20%7Bparent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully%28%29;%7D%20catch%28e%29%20%7B%7D%22%20href=%22https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNbw7NdVR6KI1Tr0D4orRpm37MLgt0TnPjumj0SRjgsSS_9GCpX_V3flPlE81g1glqBBARac02q1XKoc8lKTqnV4agI0M6C9RC22_bVPTpFNYd_-48esZxM5Us4YswlK_m0qCikH63ZOu/s1600-h/DSC_2488m6.jpg%22%3E%3Cimg%20style=%22margin:%200px%20auto%2010px;%20display:%20block;%20text-align:%20center;%20cursor:%20pointer;%20width:%20400px;%20height:%20294px;%22%20src=%22https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNbw7NdVR6KI1Tr0D4orRpm37MLgt0TnPjumj0SRjgsSS_9GCpX_V3flPlE81g1glqBBARac02q1XKoc8lKTqnV4agI0M6C9RC22_bVPTpFNYd_-48esZxM5Us4YswlK_m0qCikH63ZOu/s400/DSC_2488m6.jpg%22%20alt=%22%22%20id=%22BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276854680268915954%22%20border=%220%22%3E%3C/a%3E">the biggest in 15 years</a>, scientists tell us) and thus the calendars of shore explorers were also full. A flurry of shores were visited, guided walks conducted and monitoring done. And our first wedding couple on Cyrene Reef too! Here's all the wacky encounters during this last super low tide of the year.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Way before the full moon madness, the Hantu Bloggers had a fantastic <a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/blog-log-30-nov-2008/">dive at the reefs of Pulau Hantu</a>. With sightings of feather stars and lots and lots of nudibranchs! Such as this large and beautiful <a href="http://colorclouds.blogspot.com/2008/12/good-dive-pulau-hantu.html">Snakey Bornella nudibranch</a> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Bornella anguilla</span>) munching on a mouthful of hydroids!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLEAvHmdF4cNGs_CN7L0wsBMT0QxhFUrsTxnLYjtn1J0RU1kysj2HlKrfgW4bJK1Fw79PMq3TVeGfiOmGOEpEcib7CbfgkszLdo6fF7jqVdh2hyphenhyphenPwSv-vHdHPkaUeZUAK1Hb4Cvd6VOA/s1600-h/IMG_0868.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLEAvHmdF4cNGs_CN7L0wsBMT0QxhFUrsTxnLYjtn1J0RU1kysj2HlKrfgW4bJK1Fw79PMq3TVeGfiOmGOEpEcib7CbfgkszLdo6fF7jqVdh2hyphenhyphenPwSv-vHdHPkaUeZUAK1Hb4Cvd6VOA/s400/IMG_0868.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281003524963721490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Semakau overdose</span><br /><br />The Semakau Book Project team made a flurry of trips and dives to Pulau Semakau in preparation for this coffee-table book about the biodiversity of this special island. The Book is be published in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Semakau Landfill.<br /><br />While half the team went diving in Semakau's waters, another group <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/477185939/semakau-at-high-tide.html">explored the coastline at not-low-tide</a> taking a closer look at the life on the high water mark and checking up on the very rare <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/477179701/some-plants-of-semakau.html">Seashore Bat Lily</a> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Tacca leontopetaloides</span>).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNbw7NdVR6KI1Tr0D4orRpm37MLgt0TnPjumj0SRjgsSS_9GCpX_V3flPlE81g1glqBBARac02q1XKoc8lKTqnV4agI0M6C9RC22_bVPTpFNYd_-48esZxM5Us4YswlK_m0qCikH63ZOu/s1600-h/DSC_2488m6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNbw7NdVR6KI1Tr0D4orRpm37MLgt0TnPjumj0SRjgsSS_9GCpX_V3flPlE81g1glqBBARac02q1XKoc8lKTqnV4agI0M6C9RC22_bVPTpFNYd_-48esZxM5Us4YswlK_m0qCikH63ZOu/s400/DSC_2488m6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276854680268915954" border="0" /></a>This plant was first discovered by Joseph Lai during the Semakau mangrove survey conducted by Zeehan Jaafar and Loh Tse Lynn in 2005. This plant is listed as Critically Endangered in the 2008 Red List of threatened plants of Singapore. It is restricted to a few populations in Pulau Semakau and Pulau Pawai (just opposite Pulau Semakau).<br /><br />Alas, <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/477179702/how-is-semakau-doing-and-what-you-can.html">some areas were badly affected by marine litter</a> that drift in all our waters and end up on all our shores, and <a href="http://colorclouds.blogspot.com/2008/12/we-saw-this-at-semakau.html">signs of an ill mangrove tree</a> were seen.<br /><br />The team returned a few days later to explore the southern mangroves of Pulau Semakau and <a href="http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2008/12/semakau-stormwatch.html">despite the rain</a> saw lots of other <a href="http://psychedelic-nature.blogspot.com/2008/12/walk-to-remember-semakau.html">interesting marine life</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbi-CSTGBr16iuCmBpKbkv176FHHzWQ7N0TJbpaAqNtlZRJQKhtv45oREgu-J0C1es8z5r73ekRYwO1_dZ6fl0rIfhodbLb3eUy4u94SlkEmMv2KIbeg6VBXCJifdU2327tQANlHQjM0/s1600-h/sm111208p07.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbi-CSTGBr16iuCmBpKbkv176FHHzWQ7N0TJbpaAqNtlZRJQKhtv45oREgu-J0C1es8z5r73ekRYwO1_dZ6fl0rIfhodbLb3eUy4u94SlkEmMv2KIbeg6VBXCJifdU2327tQANlHQjM0/s400/sm111208p07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281027324662065858" border="0" /></a>Including <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2008/12/exploring-southern-semakau.html">this rare Cyptic sea star </a>(<span style="font-style: italic;">Cryptasterina </span>sp.) which has so far been seen only on Pulau Semakau. And special mangrove trees such as <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/482303100/semakau-in-rain.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ceriops tagal</span></a>.<br /><br />The Book team also joined <a href="http://teamseagrass.blogspot.com/2008/12/pulau-semakau-13-dec-08.html">TeamSeagrass for monitoring at Pulau Semakau</a>. As usual, after the monitoring session, a <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2008/12/last-2008-seagrass-monitoring-at.html">quick walk around</a> resulted in stunning sightings include sea stars, huge sea cucumbers, a very <a href="http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2008/12/how-i-like-my-tomatoes.html">pretty Tomato anemone fish</a> and <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/484150025/return-to-pulau-semakau-and-big-moon.html">other marine life</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4a3mcqFUVXb3sWUmBUo9yrEEkvWzIW0iQ-MrWgv1YfD0UVRUAbH6cFnOoimUhP5QK7u132mYINFnHzPaYQ2ruDl8HjYFFEqkBLdxvl1mvmhx45LbklyEdkNbTrQMJjl7_ZhlYFHxm4cM/s1600-h/sk131208p14.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4a3mcqFUVXb3sWUmBUo9yrEEkvWzIW0iQ-MrWgv1YfD0UVRUAbH6cFnOoimUhP5QK7u132mYINFnHzPaYQ2ruDl8HjYFFEqkBLdxvl1mvmhx45LbklyEdkNbTrQMJjl7_ZhlYFHxm4cM/s400/sk131208p14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281032424108180882" border="0" /></a>This is <a href="http://www.talfryn.net/2008/12/14/semakau/">not something people usually expect</a> at a landfill.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Cyrene wedding!</span><br /><br />The newly-weds were the highlight of a <a href="http://teamseagrass.blogspot.com/2008/12/cyrene-reef-12-dec-08.html">TeamSeagrass monitoring session</a> at Cyrene Reef. The first among Team members and the first on Cyrene Reef. And the <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/483251913/sex-in-seagrasses-on-cyrene.html">seagrasses on Cyrene were in full bloom</a> as if to celebrate the occasion.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygND3TU-KViwS-6-est4pG48rATSCZP-eTS8r8lGu363xPnDcrL7YAu-FAKMvzkiKAz3YFVe4ZeLGSSFlVxjhC0kVGnfy_WBT109STM7_yHQo3FP_picTkKfiLGoTva98blLrL1dwf5Bv/s1600-h/_DSC0041m6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygND3TU-KViwS-6-est4pG48rATSCZP-eTS8r8lGu363xPnDcrL7YAu-FAKMvzkiKAz3YFVe4ZeLGSSFlVxjhC0kVGnfy_WBT109STM7_yHQo3FP_picTkKfiLGoTva98blLrL1dwf5Bv/s400/_DSC0041m6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279082832855895858" border="0" /></a>Highlights of the trip included tiny bright orange brittle stars on a purple soft coral and <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2008/12/starry-honeymoon-at-cyrene.html">some special sea stars</a>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgnXUlBkUeZXVafT-RniFHdfdywlbcxnyGeRzk6ZYoXoMi9p-ukxRCLOwfo9XJcbw_vgsU3k-2xDnfd4-pepvxrXXUmKSe89hUc9p8Xz-57Y9EkP9cm2W2b1kjvBJkaz7bBtYHTtVvic/s1600-h/cyr121208p20.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgnXUlBkUeZXVafT-RniFHdfdywlbcxnyGeRzk6ZYoXoMi9p-ukxRCLOwfo9XJcbw_vgsU3k-2xDnfd4-pepvxrXXUmKSe89hUc9p8Xz-57Y9EkP9cm2W2b1kjvBJkaz7bBtYHTtVvic/s400/cyr121208p20.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281033338669824994" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.talfryn.net/2008/12/13/cyrene/">First-timers enjoyed</a> the trip too!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Soft and special</span><br /><br />Another shore that <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2008/12/wow-shore-exploration.html">makes you go "WOW!"</a> was visited. Because it's very soft and you easily end up literally in deep trouble. But also because of the <a href="http://psychedelic-nature.blogspot.com/2008/12/garden-of-everything.html">amazing unexpected encounters</a> there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQ-17TWWe-S3deMSYCLAPoTr1Y3SOuhXc7K2HwsyAWMqZvTcuXaBpdXdlTatcvfsIhVDbm4StDDWgGz9HMyTlSB1NhBgu43QIOg_SzjhSD51A1SYsbox4C071jYbonmViv-XP83lLr9sf/s1600-h/_DSC3134m6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQ-17TWWe-S3deMSYCLAPoTr1Y3SOuhXc7K2HwsyAWMqZvTcuXaBpdXdlTatcvfsIhVDbm4StDDWgGz9HMyTlSB1NhBgu43QIOg_SzjhSD51A1SYsbox4C071jYbonmViv-XP83lLr9sf/s400/_DSC3134m6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279808011046639922" border="0" /></a>Such as <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2008/12/fascinating-eight-armed-sea-stars.html">gianormous sea stars</a>, as well as some <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/485078219/strange-snails-huge-stars-and-other.html">strange snails</a> that the exploring team have not seen before. There was also <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2008/11/intricate-and-fanciful-snails.html">earlier visit on 30 Nov</a> to this shore.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sentosa surprises</span><br /><br />Sentosa was much visited and discussed during this full moon. There were walks by the <a href="http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/2008/12/first-sentosa-walk-of-december.html">Naked Hermit Crabs</a> for the annual family trip during the school holidays, as well as a <a href="http://ashira.blogspot.com/2008/12/sentosa-with-swa-folks.html">special walk with SWA</a> and <a href="http://lazy-lizard-tales.blogspot.com/2008/12/siloso-surprises.html">a closer look at the more man-made parts</a> of the Sentosa shores. Some thoughts were also shared about the possible <a href="http://lazy-lizard-tales.blogspot.com/2008/12/thoughts-on-zoukout-2008.html">impact of ZoukOut on the shores</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other shore trips</span><br /><br />A visit to <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/486145742/improved-beach-on-changi.html">a Changi shore impacted by 'beach improvement'</a> shows some life still struggling there. Elsewhere, <a href="http://psychedelic-nature.blogspot.com/2008/12/rock.html">a rocky shore</a> provides interesting encounters. The continuing low tides reveals <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2008/12/moments-of-tanah-merah.html">Tanah Merah</a> to be teeming with button snails, sand dollars and sand stars.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrtffxrR-i4LKoNsWFg_dp8xo51Tg_XKesjX3hGFHUqPFK-6awF5OIxAiBrL6cAFk3znVpAB2zSEg9zQuZXYlvnXpWF_mciS22q0z7Qks3CJe21ERmiq172kk-zh1W7yrURC5yda2DNpL/s1600-h/_DSC3583m6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrtffxrR-i4LKoNsWFg_dp8xo51Tg_XKesjX3hGFHUqPFK-6awF5OIxAiBrL6cAFk3znVpAB2zSEg9zQuZXYlvnXpWF_mciS22q0z7Qks3CJe21ERmiq172kk-zh1W7yrURC5yda2DNpL/s400/_DSC3583m6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280411814802081218" border="0" /></a>While Pasir Ris has <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/487100945/pasir-ris-health-check.html">living seagrass meadows</a> and a <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/487100947/pool-of-suprises-at-pasir-ris.html">galaxy of tiny creatures</a> even in a shallow pool of weeds, such as the tiny Cerberilla nudibranch in the photo above. The Semakau guides also <a href="http://uforest.blogspot.com/2008/12/st-john-island-exploration.html">explored St. John's Island</a> which still has <a href="http://wherediscoverybegins.blogspot.com/2008/12/discovery-st-john-island-on-13-dec-2008.html">rare mangroves</a> and other surprises.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Outreach and efforts for our reefs and shores<br /></span><span>Lots of work got done on the shores and in the classroom</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><ul><li><a href="http://www.bluewatervolunteers.org/reef-friends/reef-friends-survey-training-dec-08/">ReefFriends conducted a series of training sessions</a> in December for volunteer divers participating in the programme to monitor reefs.<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.pulauhantu.org/hantu-blog-at-singapore-american-school/">The Hantu Bloggers gave a talk</a> about our reefs to the Singapore American School.</li><li><a href="http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/2008/11/november-rain.html">The Naked Hermit Crabs conducted an exciting free walk </a>on the Chek Jawa boardwalk for the public, held every last Sunday of the month. With <a href="http://wondercreation.blogspot.com/2008/11/chek-jawa-wild-boars.html">sightings of wild boar</a>! As well as another walk for <a href="http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/2008/12/iras-friends-visit-chek-jawa.html">a group from IRAS</a> with mudskippers and other sightings.</li><li>The Naked Hermit Crabs also conducted <a href="http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/2008/12/first-sentosa-walk-of-december.html">a Sentosa walk for families</a> during the school holidays, with sightings of nudibranchs and other marine life.<br /></li><li>Another <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/477969044/crazy-cnidarians-more-fun-at-nature.html">Workshop for Nature Guides</a> was conducted by the Leafmonkey Workshop, this time on Cnidarians.<br /></li><li>A brand new <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/475267148/new-pulau-ubin-flickr-group-join-now.html">Pulau Ubin flickr group</a> was set up to showcase this special island which boasts many unspoilt natural treasures, not just Chek Jawa.</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">In the news</span><br /><ul><li><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/WildShoresOfSingapore/%7E3/477017531/bigger-wilder-sungei-buloh-wetland.html">A bigger, wilder Sungei Buloh</a> plans were announced during the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve anniversary celebrations.</li><li><a href="http://ashira.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-seahorse-id-book-available.html">New seahorse ID book</a> on the ashira blog.<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other posts about our shores</span><br /><ul><li><a href="http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2008/12/nothing-to-do.html">Nothing to do</a> thoughts about visiting our own country, on the annotated budak blog.</li><li><a href="http://budak.blogs.com/the_annotated_budak/2008/12/too-long.html">How long can it last?</a> some thoughts about our disappearing shores, on the annotated budak blog.<br /></li></ul></span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-53592369663963610442008-12-16T08:02:00.000+08:002008-12-16T08:59:28.579+08:00Marine litter: Singapore coastline getting dirtierDespite public anti-littering campaigns and annual cleanups involving thousands of people, Singapore's coasts are dirtier than they were five years ago, according to new data. Over 9,755kg of waste, from plastic bags to refrigerators, was fished off beaches and mangroves during a mammoth cleanup in September, almost 400kg more than in 2007.<br /><br />The cleanup was organised by International Coastal Cleanup Singapore (ICCS) and was part of a worldwide drive.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBDSARJ734q21u2NnkXxp8IWKZUd7Ug44zJgdoVC-pf-xQpvdMRH3IPDcyLb34XpD0Ln-dFEeQ8Uf1TYuopUPGoNC2e7yUzWY-u5miDfoBjrgPw24GPjSbSwA9ppvHP17cqktAFc4JpV_/s1600-h/iccs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBDSARJ734q21u2NnkXxp8IWKZUd7Ug44zJgdoVC-pf-xQpvdMRH3IPDcyLb34XpD0Ln-dFEeQ8Uf1TYuopUPGoNC2e7yUzWY-u5miDfoBjrgPw24GPjSbSwA9ppvHP17cqktAFc4JpV_/s400/iccs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280178000981154066" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;">Full PDF on the <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/pdf/20081216/bigcleanup.pdf">Straits Times Online</a>.</span><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Locally, over 2,500 people - from schoolchildren to business executives and civil servants - took part in the event, fanning out to coastal areas from Changi to Jurong.<br /><br />The results of the cleanup were recently computed by the entirely volunteer-run ICCS.<br /><br />Lead coordinator N. Sivasothi said he was not surprised by the volume of trash collected.<br /><br />He described the cleanup as a stopgap measure, saying the only way to cut down on beach-front trash is to encourage conservation.<br /><br />'If we use less, that will mean fewer things we need to dispose of. Proper disposal is important so that trash doesn't end up in drains which wash into the sea,' he said.<br /><br /><a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2008/12/singapore-coastline-getting-dirtier.html">Full reports</a> on the wildsingapore news blog<br /><br />You CAN make a difference! Sign up with the <a href="http://coastalcleanup.nus.edu.sg/">ICCS mailing list</a> for updates on coastal cleanup activities.</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-17963472414120520922008-12-11T09:12:00.001+08:002008-12-11T09:39:39.665+08:00A fifth of coral reefs dead: only emission cuts can save the rest, says IUCN"If nothing is done to substantially cut emissions, we could effectively lose coral reefs as we know them, with major coral extinctions,”<br /><br />The world has lost 19 percent of its coral reefs, and if current trends in carbon dioxide emissions continue, many of the remaining reefs may be lost over the next 20 to 40 years.<br /><br />Climate change is considered the biggest threat to coral reefs with impacts such as increasing sea surface temperatures and acidification. These are exacerbated by overfishing, pollution and invasive species.<br /><br />Encouragingly, 45 percent of the world’s reefs are currently healthy. Another sign of hope is the ability of some corals to recover after major bleaching events, caused by warming waters, and to adapt to climate change threats.<br /><br />However, the report shows that, globally, the downward trend of recent years has not been reversed.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />This according to the 2008 global update of the world’s reef status, released by the <a href="http://www.gcrmn.org/">Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network</a>. Full article on the <a href="http://cms.iucn.org/news_events/index.cfm?uNewsID=2408">IUCN website</a> with links to downloads of original reports, and on the <a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2008/12/fifth-of-corals-dead-only-emission-cuts.html">wildsingapore news blog</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2008/12/fifth-of-coral-reefs-dead-only-emission.html">More links to related reports</a> on the wild shores of singapore blog.</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-2381276643884194792008-12-10T21:12:00.000+08:002008-12-10T20:13:01.909+08:00BlueTube by Conservation International<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCy3VxQ25iNSPTG1Uj080XeeuUs-xLmSdw-7JQELan_Az205WD4trl-W-GnLkFD11QgUgmX9LWWFCQdTMWfkz8lMD7LMh1mTyP7i39LYl1y48cflFdNE1RjQThHh3SeptvK4J8QbjPKE5H/s1600-h/bluetube.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 71px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCy3VxQ25iNSPTG1Uj080XeeuUs-xLmSdw-7JQELan_Az205WD4trl-W-GnLkFD11QgUgmX9LWWFCQdTMWfkz8lMD7LMh1mTyP7i39LYl1y48cflFdNE1RjQThHh3SeptvK4J8QbjPKE5H/s400/bluetube.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278129005822925666" border="0" /></a>BlueTube is an outreach effort by Conservation International's Marine Program.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Subscribe to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/BlueTubeTV">Blue Tube community</a> to stay informed of their marine conservation efforts.<br /><br />Video clips include<br /><ul><li>Walking Shark</li><li>Bird's Head Seascape: Call to Action</li><li>Seascapes 4th Annual Workshop</li><li>Earth Expeditions: Raja Ampat</li></ul></span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-50025046903521342232008-12-08T09:11:00.000+08:002008-12-08T10:51:07.348+08:00Singapore-Delft Water Alliance: help for our reefs, seagrasses and mangroves?Murky, sediment-laden waters and other stresses on our marine ecosystems. Learning more about these and how to build harbours that can also sustain marine life are the aim of the <a href="http://www.sdwa.nus.edu.sg/projects.html">Singapore-Delft Water Alliance</a>, a team of Singapore and Dutch researchers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8joW-yp9VG73W29-P6MnIXLh_r4uYQre8onresYzu5YNR4VL2KnzDuRmrG4B38UnhCHjVoQhZnI5XteCG0z8NT9UQAmkcBXTasufzI5bDdbvLd0uZv4qFs0Gs-RdQKK8BcYlOCTEZoeyo/s1600-h/sdwa1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8joW-yp9VG73W29-P6MnIXLh_r4uYQre8onresYzu5YNR4VL2KnzDuRmrG4B38UnhCHjVoQhZnI5XteCG0z8NT9UQAmkcBXTasufzI5bDdbvLd0uZv4qFs0Gs-RdQKK8BcYlOCTEZoeyo/s400/sdwa1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277243671159846082" border="0" /></a>The team is also looking at Pulau Semakau to house an aquatic centre.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />The team will learn precisely how the ecosystem reacts to stresses and will then conduct tests to try to develop more natural ways to prevent erosion or biodiversity loss.<br /><br />'This is about regional planning to increase the biodiversity for any type of coastal development, whether on the cityfront, port or nature park."<br /><br />In some cases, restoring coral reefs, seagrass and mangroves may provide enough protection for the shoreline. But as such buffers have to extend 100m inland from the waterline to land safe enough to build on, they can be put up only in areas far from the Central Business District. On coasts by the CBD or sites to moor vessels, a hard shoreline might be the only alternative as its width is 20m. However, it could incorporate hiding places to encourage fish and corals to grow.<br /><br />Singapore will be one of four sites for the studies, with the rest in the Netherlands. The teams will create a coastal marine development programme, beginning with pilot tests, that can eventually be implemented at shorelines worldwide.<br /><br />The team is also looking to establish "an aquatic centre in a marine setting, hopefully on one of the southern islands where we have the rare condition of pristine nature in close proximity to urban developments."<br /><br />A dream site for the researchers would be Pulau Semakau, where coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows flourish alongside the dumping grounds of waste incinerators. A concrete wall separates the natural from the man-made. The marine aquatic centre will be similar to a freshwater research centre at Sungei Ulu Pandan, which has an open concept, inviting passers-by to come in and find out more about science.<br /><br />Discussions with government agencies, including the National Parks Board, Building & Construction Authority and the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore, have begun to find the best sites for the projects.<br /><br />Work will begin on research models at the Tropical Marine Sciences Institute's laboratories on St John's Island. Once perfected, these projects will find a home in nature.<br /><br />Full report on <a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2008/12/developing-singapores-shorelines-eco.html">Developing Singapore's shorelines the eco-friendly way</a> by Shobana Kesava, Straits Times 6 Dec 08 is on the wildsingapore news blog.<br /><br />More details about the SDWA projects and links to more articles on the <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2008/12/singapore-delft-water-alliance-help-for.html">wild shores of singapore blog</a>.</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-41606827128060864142008-12-07T21:11:00.000+08:002008-12-07T07:02:57.841+08:00Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Masterplan: bigger and wilder!Sungei Buloh celebrates its 15th annivesary with big plans for an expanded reserve and keeping parts of it wild.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XQjjUJNvmkhyphenhyphenX2efmlQj8qBXrzKXA7CD7KVsPMS4wpPVAXFiJPczFyuUJdTU7ZK0q2HTZgmq8RZtW-jHqEOOwcooO1YEiBuIp7e-lgJ5PvhLDXwMbg1KuTYJWYLZyOMSoJpaWIm5dehN/s1600-h/n222404419_3225677_3121.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XQjjUJNvmkhyphenhyphenX2efmlQj8qBXrzKXA7CD7KVsPMS4wpPVAXFiJPczFyuUJdTU7ZK0q2HTZgmq8RZtW-jHqEOOwcooO1YEiBuIp7e-lgJ5PvhLDXwMbg1KuTYJWYLZyOMSoJpaWIm5dehN/s400/n222404419_3225677_3121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276813960214061794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Photo from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=222404419#/photo.php?pid=3225677&id=222404419">Jacqueline Lau's facebook album</a>.</span><br /></div><br />Celebrations continue today <a href="http://wildsingaporehappenings.blogspot.com/2008/11/photo-sharing_30.html">with lots of activities</a>! More on the <a href="http://www.sbwr.org.sg/">Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve website</a>.<br /><br />A draft masterplan was launched yesterday during the Reserve's 15th anniversary celebrations that will expand the 130-hectare Reserve. Plans include:<br /><span class="fullpost"><br />Linking the current reserve to at least three other mangroves, reservoirs and marshes in the nearby Lim Chu Kang and Kranji areas. A footpath access from Kranji Dam will be enhanced with amenities such as shelters, allowing visitors to use an alternative entry point instead of the main one at Neo Tiew Crescent.<br /><br />Setting four zones to cater to different visitors, such as a wetland playground for children and restricted areas for researchers only. In those designated as medium to high activity, facilities such as floating boardwalks, outdoor classrooms and a children's play area will be built. Access to the other two zones will be kept minimal, possibly requiring the accompaniment of certified nature guides or limited only to researchers.<br /><br />To strengthen the park's educational efforts, the visitor centre will be upgraded to include a new lookout tower for birdwatchers, meeting rooms and dormitory-style accommodation for research groups. Mr Wong said some research requires overnight work, while other researchers could stay the night to prepare for early activities the following day.<br /><br />A working group, with members from the Nature Society, Singapore Environment Council and national water agency PUB among others, is finalising the concept plan, which should be ready in a year's time.<br /><br />NParks says the cost of the project will depend on the finalised masterplan, which is expected to be ready by the end of 2009. Construction will start a year later and is expected to be completed by early 2013.<br /><br />There are no cost estimates yet and the park hopes to double the number of visitors to 200,000 a year with the new masterplan.<br /><br /><a href="http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2008/12/sungei-buloh-wetland-reserve-to-undergo.html">Full reports about these plans</a> on the wildsingapore news blog.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">More blog posts </span>about the anniversary celebrations<br /><ul><li><a href="http://toddycats.wordpress.com/2008/12/07/sungei-buloh-thanks-toddycats/">Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve thanks Toddycats</a> on the Toddycats blog</li></ul><a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/places/sbwr.htm">More about Sungei Buloh</a> on the wildsingapore website.</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-77393663523154367132008-12-03T09:11:00.005+08:002008-12-05T10:46:06.565+08:00Reef Friends Survey Training in Dec 08Are you a diver looking to make a difference for our reefs? Here's a great opportunity to do so!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3jwhTKhvq4h77yzIqTQ7F7V7Vsy11H3huEE6yfmxsaMIDqHALGGyXEUypwuyk63WPyppSvlQCRmGY2EbFkXeLBrr4D10Y_5UujY3mg772ZAWiMoIffjnbyUbtiBngasefvXk0T4jfm0/s1600-h/IMG_0121.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3jwhTKhvq4h77yzIqTQ7F7V7Vsy11H3huEE6yfmxsaMIDqHALGGyXEUypwuyk63WPyppSvlQCRmGY2EbFkXeLBrr4D10Y_5UujY3mg772ZAWiMoIffjnbyUbtiBngasefvXk0T4jfm0/s400/IMG_0121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275366921376968066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Photo by </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://colorclouds.blogspot.com/2008/06/first-reef-survey-for-2008.html">Toh Chay Hoon</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> during the first ReefFriends Survey of Kusu Island in 2008.</span><br /></span></div><br /><span class="fullpost"><br />ReefFriends is a volunteer based coral reef survey programme that monitors the status of coral reefs of Singapore through bimonthly surveys. This Blue Water Volunter programme is currently sponsored by the National Parks Board. Results of these surveys are submitted to the National Parks Board, NUS Marine Biology Lab and Reef Check.<br /><br />More about the <a href="http://www.bluewatervolunteers.org/reeffriends/">ReefFriends programme</a> on the Blue Water Volunteers website.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Details of the upcoming training for ReefFriends</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dates</span><br />Theory classes: 11, 16, 18 and 23 Dec 08<br />(Dates of the practical classes to be decided on the first day of the course)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Time: </span>7-10pm<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venue:</span> Classroom 4, Botany Centre, Tanglin Core, Singapore Botanic Gardens<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What the course will cover:</span><br /><ul><li>What is BWV all about?</li><li>What is the Reef Friends survey about?</li><li>Basic coral reef facts</li><li>Survey techniques</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost: </span>The course will cost S$100. This will only cover admin costs (training materials, room bookings etc). It will not include costs for the practical sessions (there will be a minimum of two practical sessions).<br /><br />Sign up for this here<br /><a href="https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pv-hJAbBAeYxWcoG4kWO0YA">https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pv-hJAbBAeYxWcoG4kWO0YA</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Contact:</span> <a href="mailto:reeffriends@bluewatervolunteers.org">reeffriends@bluewatervolunteers.org</a><br /></span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-89945834588618889392008-12-01T10:53:00.000+08:002008-12-01T16:14:34.257+08:00Chek Jawa intertidal walk dates for Jan-Jul 09 now onlineBookings open today for walks in Jan-Mar 09. To book a tour call the Pulau Ubin Hotline (Tel: 6542-4108) or visit their Information Kiosk between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm. More details on the NParks website, <a href="http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/popup/pulau-attractions.html">Pulau Ubin page</a>.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Chek Jawa intertidal walks, Jan-Jul 09</span><br /><br />Available for booking from 1st Dec 08 onwards<br />9th Jan 09 Fri 2.00 PM <br />10th Jan 09 Sat 3.00 PM <br />11th Jan 09 Sun 4.00 PM <br />7th Feb 09 Sat 2.00 PM <br />8th Feb 09 Sun 3.00 PM <br />9th Feb 09 Mon 4.00 PM<br />9th Mar 09 Mon 3.00 PM <br />10th Mar 09 Tue 4.00 PM <br /><br />Available for booking from 1st Mar 09 onwards<br />1st Apr 09 Wed 8.00 AM <br />2nd Apr 09 Thu 8.00 AM <br />3rd Apr 09 Fri 10.00 AM <br />15th Apr 09 Wed 8.00 AM <br />16th Apr 09 Thu 8.00 AM <br />29th Apr 09 Wed 8.00 AM<br />30th Apr 09 Thu 8.00 AM <br />1st May 09 Fri 8.00 AM <br />2nd May 09 Sat 10.00 AM <br />15th May 09 Fri 8.00 AM <br />28th May 09 Thu 8.00 AM <br />29th May 09 Fri 8.00 AM <br />30th May 09 Sat 8.00 AM <br />31st May 09 Sun 9.00 AM <br />13th June 09 Sat 8.00 AM <br />14th June 09 Sun 8.00 AM <br />27th June 09 Sat 8.00 AM <br />28th June 09 Sun 8.00 AM <br />29th June 09 Mon 9.00 AM <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Can't make it for these dates?</span><br />Consider joining the free Chek Jawa Boardwalk tour every last Sunday of the month with the <a href="http://nakedhermitcrabs.blogspot.com/">Naked Hermit Crabs</a><br /></span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8088567218684083581.post-69185644393505734792008-11-29T08:02:00.001+08:002008-12-24T23:36:16.344+08:00Updated Singapore Red Data book launches todayA second version of The Singapore Red Data Book, which lists endangered and threatened wildlife here, has been published here after 14 years. It features over 2,700 animals and plants which are threatened.<br /><br />'If a group wanted to do an environmental impact assessment on a marine site, members would consult it. So would building developers who wanted to flatten a piece of land,'<br /><br />Examples include the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore and Resorts World at Sentosa which have spent millions of dollars on environmental impact assessments before planning their excavations.<br /><span class="fullpost"><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Look up Singapore Red Data to preserve heritage</span><br />New version of book on threatened species can be a guide for urban planners<br />Shobana Kesava, <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Review/Tech%2B%2526%2BScience/STIStory_308192.html">Straits Times</a> 29 Nov 08;<br /><blockquote>POLICYMAKERS and urban planners have been given an up-to-date tool to help them with urban development, while preserving Singapore's natural heritage.<br /><br />A second version of The Singapore Red Data Book, which lists endangered and threatened wildlife here, has been published here after 14 years.<br /><br />It features over 2,700 animals and plants which are threatened.<br /><br />The first edition, spearheaded by biologists from the National University of Singapore (NUS), was meant as a guide for conservationists.<br /><br />However, a co-editor of the first book, Professor Peter Ng, said government officials, the business community and civil society had turned to it as a major source of reference.<br /><br />'If a group wanted to do an environmental impact assessment on a marine site, members would consult it. So would building developers who wanted to flatten a piece of land,' said Prof Ng, who is with the university's department of biological sciences, and heads the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research as well as the Tropical Marine Science Institute.<br /><br />Examples include the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore and Resorts World at Sentosa which have spent millions of dollars on environmental impact assessments before planning their excavations.<br /><br />About 50 scientists were involved in the latest effort, which took 10 years to complete. Among them, for the first time, were naturalists from the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Nature Society of Singapore.<br /><br />Co-editor Dr Ho Hua Chew, chairman of the conservation committee of the Nature Society (Singapore), said it 'showed how engaged all parts of the community were in this decade-long endeavour'.<br /><br />Not all local species have declined.<br /><br />The Malayan porcupine, for instance, which was feared extinct, was photographed in Pulau Tekong in 2005.<br /><br />Others, however, like the cream- coloured giant squirrel, last seen in 1995 in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve, may be gone for good.<br /><br />Dr Geoffrey Davison, who is assistant director at NParks' National Biodiversity Centre and another co-editor of the book, stressed that the fate of many of the species that still remain in Singapore would depend on the survival of the nature reserves.<br /><br />The Singapore freshwater crab - which is found only here - is a case in point.<br /><br />In Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, its numbers are dwindling as streams become more acidic, possibly due to acid rain, said Prof Ng.<br /><br />The only other site where this crab is found is on a hill in Bukit Batok. However, the stream where it was once found in abundance is drying up as the ground water drains away because of building developments on the other side of the hill.<br /><br />'It would be a waste if this species, which is found nowhere else in the world, disappears,' he said.<br /><br />Editors of the new information resource hope it will help developers plan around Singapore's natural heritage.<br /><br />A section on environmental law and how it should be strengthened in Singapore has also been incorporated into the new book.<br /><br />Data will also be provided to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature for the global Red List - which highlights species in danger the world over.<br /><br />The Singapore Red Data Book, sponsored by petrochemical giant Shell, can be purchased from the <a href="http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/">Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research</a> at NUS, at the bookstore <a href="http://www.naturesniche.com/">Nature's Niche</a> off Mandai Road, and from the Nature Society of Singapore, for $20.</blockquote><br /><br /><a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2008/11/at-launch-of-singapore-red-data-book.html">More about the launch</a> and <a href="http://wildshores.blogspot.com/2008/12/wildfacts-updates-red-list-changes.html">updates on the status of our marine life</a> on the wild shores of singapore blog.</span>IYOR08 Singaporehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00584841451907202749noreply@blogger.com0