Measures to Protect Marine Ecosystems from Effects of Rising Temperatures and El Nino
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns measures to protect marine ecosystems from rising temperatures and El Niño, as raised by MP Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin. Minister for National Development Mr Desmond Lee responded that the National Parks Board monitors coral reefs using satellite data and collaborative observations to guide response plans. The Ministry also leads the Marine Climate Change Science research programme to develop solutions and restoration strategies, such as the planting of 100,000 corals. These efforts scale up the "Plant-A-Coral, Seed-A-Reef" programme to enhance biodiversity and protect coastlines from waves and climate-induced disturbances. Ongoing research projects on coral resilience and survival thresholds are currently underway and are slated for completion between 2027 and 2028.
Transcript
42 Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for National Development in view of rising temperatures and effects of El Nino (a) what are the measures in place to protect our marine ecosystems; and (b) whether the Ministry conducts any studies to understand the implication of a warmer temperature on marine animals in Singapore.
Mr Desmond Lee: The National Parks Board (NParks) adopts a science-based approach towards protecting our marine ecosystems, which encompasses proactive monitoring and mitigation and research.
We are mindful that the world is currently experiencing the fourth global coral bleaching event on record, arising from rising temperatures and the effects of El Nino. NParks has been monitoring local coral reefs through various channels. These include tracking satellite data on sea surface temperatures and collaborating with researchers, citizen scientists and recreational divers to document and submit observations of coral bleaching. Such data will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation in Singapore and guide our response plans accordingly. As of April 2024, we have not observed any bleaching in our local coral reefs.
NParks also leads the Marine Climate Change Science research programme, which aims to study and develop solutions to address the impacts of climate change on our marine ecosystems. The research findings will guide measures to enhance marine ecosystem resilience against climate change-induced disturbances and safeguard our natural marine ecosystems through management interventions, such as the restoration of coral reef diversity. An example would be NParks' efforts to progressively grow and plant 100,000 corals in Singapore's waters to enhance marine biodiversity and protect coastlines from waves and storms. This initiative scales up NParks' existing coral restoration efforts, such as the "Plant-A-Coral, Seed-A-Reef" programme that started in 2016.
Ongoing research projects on the enhancement of coral reef resilience to climate change and the survival thresholds of coral reefs in Singapore are slated for completion between 2027 to 2028.