Singapore plans to build fish farms next to corals; a report says it is possible

A report analyzing the potential environmental impacts of the proposed farms stated the websites chosen had been appropriate for aquaculture.

It beneficial a closed containment design that separates farm water from seawater, as opposed to open-cage fish pens. The examine additionally decided capability limits and urged holding 10 to 20 per cent underneath them, a minimum of within the preliminary years.

The year-long examine was organized by Singapore’s meals company in 2020 and 2021. A report ready by environmental advisor DHI Water and Environment was launched final month for public suggestions.

The 320-page report might solely be seen in-person in two-hour intervals, regardless of the federal government saying such experiences could also be made obtainable on-line if there is “significant public interest” in 2016. No footage had been allowed to be taken.

The Singapore Food Agency stated it prolonged the viewing interval by two weeks to permit extra individuals to present suggestions, however didn’t say why the report was not posted on-line.

Eco-business reviewed the report. These are the important thing findings.

Where the farms are sited

They are deliberate to be constructed amongst a group of islands which Singapore makes use of for navy coaching, petrochemical works and storing incinerated waste. Corals line lots of the islands, whereas seagrass meadows are current in some intertidal areas.

Impact to seabed and intertidal creatures

The seabed ecosystem could possibly be disrupted if spills of hazardous supplies happen. The farms itself will take up seafloor actual property for mooring and introduce waste.

The dangers will likely be “slight” or “minor”, and could be additional managed by having emergency response plans and gear, utilizing good fish feed and taking precautions throughout refuelling actions.

The examine ranked unfavorable impacts on 5 ranges. All recognized dangers within the report fell inside the most secure three ranges, “slight”, “minor” and “moderate”.

Coral reefs are recognized to be delicate to water high quality modifications. Most of the corals in Singapore’s waters are across the southern islands, the place the fish farms are being deliberate.

Researchers additionally discovered endangered intertidal species comparable to big clams and seagrasses close to the farm websites, although the report stated species range there is low.

There can be no influence to the seabed and organisms dwelling there when fish farms are being constructed, because the footprint of anchoring actions is thought of small within the report.

Impact to larger animals

Dolphins and sharks have been noticed off southern Singapore up to now, whereas whales additionally journey via tropical waters within the area. The noise from putting in fish farms might irritate them, although the report stated they may simply swim away. The influence was deemed “slight”.

To minimise disturbance for dolphins and whales that use sound to navigate and talk, the report stated seafloor drilling must be prevented as a lot as possible.

Cage design

Fish farms that use open-cage pens, which is frequent in Singapore at present, might trigger uneaten fish feed, excrement and medication residue to leech into surrounding seawater.

There will likely be “slight” to “minor” impacts to seawater high quality if open cages are used, although the dangers could be monitored and managed, the report stated.

Environmental impacts could possibly be additional decreased if the fish farms adopted a closed containment design as a substitute, the place fish pens are sealed and farm water is handled earlier than launch, the report stated.

Sealed pens additionally scale back the chance of attracting predators comparable to sharks, it added. One of the fish farm websites is shut to a leisure diving website, making it dangerous if sharks had been to come shut.

Such know-how has been utilized in a S$4 million (about US$2.9 million) fish farm off jap Singapore which opened in 2019. It was funded partially by Singapore’s meals company.

Buffer zone

If an open-cage design is chosen for the farms, there must be a 40-metre boundary across the farm to forestall sedimentation from harming surrounding wildlife.

There must be shut monitoring inside the boundary to forestall natural matter build-up, the report beneficial.

One proposed fish farm website, off Pulau Jong, could possibly be nearly 40 metres from coral reefs, primarily based on maps within the examine. However, the report stated the positioning doesn’t overlap extensively with marine habitats.

Capacity limits

The restrict for open farms was decided to be 22,260 tonnes of fish a 12 months, whereas that of closed contained farms was 18,200 tonnes. Water high quality might deteriorate ought to the farms rear extra fish.

The report beneficial staying 10 to 20 per cent underneath these limits as a precaution, a minimum of within the preliminary years.

Risk of fish farm breaking free

The greatest threat recognized within the report was if a fish farm broke away from its mooring. A free cage might float into busy delivery lanes within the area – inflicting “moderate” threat to vessels.

The report known as for a “full mooring assessment” earlier than putting in the fish farms, which might scale back residual dangers to nil.

Other measures beneficial within the report embody holding oil spill kits on the fish farms, correct procedures for reporting and recording accidents and unexplained fish deaths. Non-native and genetically modified organisms must be prevented, or used consistent with rules. Antibiotics shouldn’t be used to forestall fish sicknesses in regular circumstances to scale back the chance of drug resistance.

Local environmental consultants have known as for extra stringent monitoring and research on the impacts of local weather change within the native press. Mass fish deaths have occurred in fish farms alongside Singapore’s northern shores in previous years due to excessive temperatures and plankton poisoning.

Ria Tan, 61, a wildlife fanatic who runs a native nature weblog, WildSingapore, stated produce from present fish farms must be used to feed locals first, pointing at how an present fish farm, run by Singapore-based Barramundi Asia, is exporting fish reared regionally.

“You must meet the original target of 30 by 30, which is to replace imports, before you expand production,” she instructed Eco-Business, referring to the official title of Singapore’s meals manufacturing targets this decade.

Summary of threat evaluation

When putting in fish farms:

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