Amanda Lee Channel NewsAsia 25 Jul 14;
SINGAPORE: The new S$3.85 million Lorong Halus Jetty was launched on Thursday (July 24). The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority said it was developed as part of efforts to bolster Singapore's food supply resilience - the location and surrounding infrastructure will enable fish farmers to easily load and unload their produce in Singapore's East.
Farmers will also get a boost as they will be allowed to use the jetty for free during the first three months of operation. The jetty will also help them land their fishes and moor their vessels.
Previously, they used Changi Creek and Senoko Fishery Port, which were considered too far from the fish farms off Pasir Ris. These were also smaller in size and lacking in facilities.
Fish farmers say the new jetty has facilities that make it safer and easier for them.
"You can moor boats at this so-called concrete platform and jetty, which is specially designed so that it is safe to use a lorry crane to move even heavy goods up and down," said Mr Timothy Ng Keat Seng, president of the Fish Farmers Association of Singapore.
Long waits were also common at Changi Creek, said director of Marine Life Aquaculture Loh Tee Wee, who usually waited at least half an hour each time as the landing point would be overcrowded.
As for chief operating officer of Marine Life Aquaculture Frank Tan, the new jetty would shave about 20 minutes off his usually travelling time. He currently pays close to S$400 a month for waste disposal services, to use the facilities at Changi Creek and to berth his boats at Marina Country Club.
- CNA/by
