More Species of Marine Invertebrates in Protected List of Wildlife Act
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns whether more species of marine invertebrates, such as horseshoe crabs, should be included as protected wildlife, as raised by Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang. Minister for National Development Desmond Lee stated that NParks determines protected status based on local and global threat levels, referencing CITES and the Singapore Red Data Book. The list is regularly reviewed in consultation with experts and currently includes threatened species like giant clams and stony corals. NParks also utilizes signage, educational programs, and officer deployments to promote responsible public interaction with marine wildlife in their natural habitats. These efforts combine legislative updates with community engagement to ensure the effective management and preservation of Singapore's vulnerable wildlife.
Transcript
108 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development whether more species of marine invertebrates such as horseshoe crabs can be included as protected wildlife species under the Wildlife Act.
Mr Desmond Lee: The Wildlife Act aims to protect, preserve and manage our wildlife. Under the Act, additional protections are given to more vulnerable species by designating them as protected wildlife species. To determine these species, NParks considers whether a species is locally and globally threatened, by taking reference from sources such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendices and the Singapore Red Data Book. Currently, the list of protected wildlife species includes threatened native wildlife species, such as pangolins, sea turtles, and selected species of marine invertebrates like giant clams and stony corals. NParks regularly reviews, and will update the list, in consultation with academic experts and the nature community.
NParks also works with stakeholders such as nature groups and the community to raise public awareness on caring for marine wildlife in their natural habitats. Beyond developing educational videos and outreach programmes, NParks deploys officers and installs signs around intertidal and subtidal areas to educate visitors on how to interact responsibly with the marine wildlife species. NParks will continue to step up its engagement and outreach efforts to promote responsible human-wildlife interactions.