Ornamental, cleansing ponds not suitable for fishing

From Chia Seng Jiang Director, Parks, National Parks Board
Today Online 28 Nov 12;

We thank Mr Jeremy Wong for his suggestion, "Let's have more fishing spots" (Nov 23) in our parks.

There are several parks with designated recreational fishing spots. They include Bedok Jetty at East Coast Park, Bedok Reservoir Park, Changi Beach Park, Kranji Reservoir Park, Lower Seletar Reservoir Park, MacRitchie Reservoir Park, Pasir Ris Town Park, Sembawang Park, West Coast Park and Woodlands Waterfront Park.

Mr Wong had written to us separately and suggested that we open up more spots for recreational fishing, such as at Sengkang Riverside Park and the freshwater ponds at East Coast Park.

We replied that the ponds at East Coast Park are primarily designed as ornamental ponds and are not suited for fishing, while the pond at Sengkang Riverside Park is designed to capture and cleanse storm water run-off prior to discharge into the river.

For the safety and enjoyment of all park users, we take this opportunity to encourage anglers to use the designated fishing areas, which are demarcated by signboards in our parks.

Members of the public can send their feedback and suggestions to Parks_Public_Affairs@nparks.gov.sg or call our helpline (1800 471 7300).

Let's have more fishing spots
From Jeremy Wong Today Online 23 Nov 12;

With more youngsters taking up fishing, the National Parks Board should open up more spots for this recreation, namely, at Sengkang Riverside Park and the freshwater ponds at East Coast Park.

There could be catch limits, like in Australia's sport fishing grounds, no use of netting, strict action against litterbugs and so on.

There are more park users and anglers at places such as Bedok Jetty, especially on weekends, than at the three spots mentioned above. The latter may thus be safer for fishing if space is set aside.