Best of our wild blogs: 10 Apr 14

Drumming of the Sunda Pygmy Woodpecker
from Bird Ecology Study Group

Butterflies Galore! : Baron
from Butterflies of Singapore

Heron Watch 2014
from Midnight Monkey Monitor

Soft opening Party for Pulau Ubin Artist-In-Residency Program – 13 April Sunday from biodiversityconnections

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Singapore, Malaysia hold first joint chemical spill exercise at sea

Channel NewsAsia 9 Apr 14;

SINGAPORE: Singapore and Malaysia on Wednesday held the first-ever joint chemical spill exercise at sea, along the Straits of Johor.

Conducted by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Malaysia Marine Department (MMD), it was held to test the agencies' readiness, a statement from the MPA and Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) said.

It added that as part of the bilateral cooperation programme under the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE), the Emergency Response Plan seeks to enhance the preparedness of emergency response agencies from both countries in tackling potential chemical accidents involving the seaborne transportation of hazardous chemicals in the Straits of Johor.

The Emergency Response Plan is jointly developed by MPA, MMD, National Environment Agency (NEA) and Johor Department of Environment (DOE).

To address any chemical spill incidents at sea, MPA has put in place the Chemical Contingency Plan (Marine), which covers the roles and responsibilities of responding agencies for cleanup operations.

In the event of an incident, MPA will monitor and coordinate cleanup operations at sea, while NEA will monitor the air and water quality and coordinate the cleanup efforts at any affected shore areas.

"Regional cooperation is important as incidents at sea resulting in chemical and oil spills are often transboundary in nature.

Andrew Tan, MPA's chief executive, said: “This is the first bilateral exercise we have conducted to tackle a chemical spill at sea.

"Such an exercise allows us to test regional and multi-agency response capabilities so that we are ever ready and well-prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any maritime accidents, be it a collision, chemical leak or oil spill."

NEA chief executive officer Ronnie Tay said: "The successful conduct of this joint exercise clearly demonstrates the operational readiness of Singapore and Malaysia agencies in controlling and mitigating chemical spillage incidents in the Straits of Johor.

“The quick and effective responses by the agencies from both countries will serve to minimise the environmental impact of any spill that may occur, and also reflect the strong bilateral ties and close co-operation between the two countries.”

- CNA/nd

Singapore, Malaysia stage chemical spill exercise
Grace Chua The Straits Times AsiaOne 12 Apr 14;

Singapore's maritime agency and its Malaysian counterpart yesterday conducted their first-ever joint chemical spill exercise at sea, in the Strait of Johor.

The exercise was meant to enhance both sides' preparedness to tackle accidents that involve hazardous chemicals being transported along the channel between the two countries, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the National Environment Agency in a statement yesterday.

It simulated a spill of 100 tonnes of the petrochemical xylene in Singapore waters, and tested communication and coordination between Malaysia and Singapore, personnel movement, and whether equipment was available, among other things.

While Singapore's chemical industry is mainly located on Jurong Island to the south and west, there are chemical plants at Pasir Gudang in Malaysia along the Johor Strait.

And last week, Malaysia's state oil and gas company Petronas confirmed that it would build a refining and petrochemicals project at Pengerang in Johor, at the eastern end of the Johor Strait, and this would start operating by 2019.

Should a spill occur, the MPA will monitor and coordinate clean-up operations at sea while the NEA will monitor air and water quality while coordinating clean-up efforts on any affected shore areas, the agencies said.

MPA chief executive Andrew Tan said: "Regional cooperation is important as incidents at sea resulting in chemical and oil spills are often transboundary in nature. This is the first bilateral exercise we have conducted to tackle a chemical spill at sea.

"Such an exercise allows us to test regional and multi-agency response capabilities so that we are ever ready and well prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any maritime accidents, be it a collision, chemical leak or oil spill."

Since 1998, the MPA has conducted several chemical spill exercises both in the field and on paper, to deal with chemicals such as xylene, toluene and benzene. These highly flammable chemicals are used as solvents and as feedstocks for other processes.

The clean-up methods, such as skimming chemicals off the surface of water or pumping pollutants up from the seabed, depend on whether the chemicals evaporate, float, dissolve or sink.

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Malaysia: Only one month's heavy rain can save the day, says Luas

by loshana k. shagar The Star 10 Apr 14;

SHAH ALAM: The water crisis in the Klang Valley could be the worst ever, with just about 80 days of supply left in two major dams – despite the dai­ly rain.

The Sungai Selangor dam and Klang Gates dam – each have roughly just over two months of water sup­­­ply before they hit the critical stage.

During the country’s worst recorded water crisis in 1998, 4.2 million people had to survive on 2,553 million litres per day (MLD), a shortage of 105 MLD.

This time round, 7.1 million people need 4,900 MLD but only 4,367 MLD is available – a shortage of 533 MLD.

The only solution is for the dams to get, by April 30, rain equivalent to the average monthly rainfall for No­­vem­ber – one of the wettest months of the year.

Selangor Water Management Au­­tho­rity (Luas) director Md Khairi Se­lamat said water at the Sungai Se­langor dam might last 71 days while water at Klang Gates dam 88 days.

“This is assuming the output remains as it is right now, which is 1,000 MLD for Sungai Selangor and 100 MLD for Klang Gates.

“Also, we need 200mm of rainfall for the Sungai Selangor dam to rise to 55% from its current level of 37.38%. Until we reach that target, water rationing needs to continue,” he told a press conference yesterday.

In 1998, 1.8 million people in Se­­la­ngor and Kuala Lumpur were affected by a six-month long water rationing exercise – from March to Sep­tem­ber – because of the El Nino pheno­menon.

The long drought and absence of rainfall that year led to almost critical water levels in four dams – Batu, Klang Gates, Langat and Semenyih.

A water rationing exercise that started on April 20, 1998, ended on Sept 16.

This year, Selangor began water rationing in early March, with the fourth phase expected to end on April 30.

Sungai Selangor dam’s critical ca­­pa­­city is 69 million cubic metres (Mm3) and the Klang Gates dam 4.7Mm3.

Of the seven dams in Selangor, four are below the safe level of 70%, including the Sungai Selangor and Klang Gates dams.

Currently, the Klang Gates dam is at 53.89% capacity, Langat dam 49.47% capacity and Sungai Tinggi dam 61.29%.

Md Khairi said the state was banking on increased rainfall next month, when the wet monsoon kicks in, to help raise the dams’ capacities and see it through even more difficult times expected be­­tween June and October.

“Cloud seeding operations will also continue next week and will be more focused on the water retention areas of Sungai Selangor and Klang Gates dams until May 31, subject to weather conditions,” he said.

Khairi said Syabas’ an­­nouncement to relax water ratio­ning came about after the treatment plants in Batu 11, Cheras and Bukit Tampoi were reopened on March 30.

“The plants, which were previously closed following high ammonia levels in the rivers, could be reopened as recent rains diluted the ammonia content in the rivers. This will allow for more treated water production, so the relaxation of wa­­ter rationing can happen,” he said.

In Shah Alam, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim defended the rationing exercise, saying that the two days on and two days off rationing was the best me­­thod.

He said the decision was decided by a group of experts from the water industry.

“The rationing exercise has, in fact, ease the water problems currently faced in districts and areas that have not received water supply for weeks earlier,” he told the state assembly yesterday.

'Downpour, strong rains can resolve crisis'
New Straits Times 10 Apr 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: The steady rainfall expected to continue until early next month can end the Klang Valley's water crisis.

Malaysian Meteorological Department central forecast division director Muhammad Helmi Abdullah said downpour and strong winds could lead to frequent thunderstorms, mainly in the evenings.

"The department remains positive and foresees that the continuous rain will resolve the water crisis, as we are expecting improvements in the dams' water levels."

Helmi said cloud seeding was carried out yesterday in the north, mainly in Kedah and Perak, and would continue for the rest of the week.

The Drainage and Irrigation Department's Water Resources and Hydrology division director Datuk Hanapi Mohamad Noor said the water levels in major dams had not reached critical levels yet.

He said the Klang Gates Dam recorded a slight improvement, and that the rainfall had prevented a further decrease.

Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) director Md Khairi Selamat said although more than 20mm of rainfall was recorded last week, it was not in the dam's catchment areas.

The Selangor government had announced that water rationing would be stopped when Sungai Selangor Dam's capacity reached a 55 per cent level, equivalent to 126.5 million cubic metres (Mm3).

As of yesterday, the water level at the Klang Gates Dam was at 13.65 Mm3, Sungai Selangor Dam (85.80 Mm3), Langat Dam (16.87 Mm3) and Sungai Tinggi Dam (70.18 Mm3).

Cloud seeding since last month had helped the water level increase by between 0.5 to 4 per cent until yesterday.

60,000 to face more cuts due to murky water
New Straits Times 10 Apr 14;

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 60,000 consumers in in Selangor may face further water disruptions if the turbidity level of Sungai Gombak, which supplies water to Gombak and Ampang, remains murky.

Sources said the Wangsa Maju treatment plant had stopped treating water from the river since yesterday because of the high level of turbidity, which had affected the quality of water supplied to surrounding areas.

A source said the supply of treated water from the plant could be continued only if the quality of water followed the safety criteria outlined by the Health Ministry.

"Based on a report provided to Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor, the plant cannot take in and treat water from Sungai Gombak anymore as it is too murky, thus, it is not safe for consumption. The plant can operate as usual only if the quality of water from the river improves."

Turbidity refers to murkiness of fluid caused by dissolved solids, and the measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality.

A Syabas spokesman confirmed that turbidity level at the intake point had reached a critical level.

The plant stores and treats about 45 million litres per day of water to Wangsa Maju and its surrounding areas. Residents are putting the blame on construction projects in the district, including one near Sungai Salak, which flows into Sungai Gombak.

They said the project, which started late last year near Kampung Sulai Salak Batu 10, Gombak, was the main cause of pollution.

A villager, who did not want to be named, claimed Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) told residents the project was illegal. However, the project continued without proper infrastructure and drainage system in place.

"I have written and filed complaints to the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, the Gombak District Office and the council, but no action has been taken against the contractor," she said, adding that the only action taken was the seizure of two tractors by MPS a month ago.

She claimed that the tractors were back in operation a day after.

Sungai Salak Umno deputy chief Osman Ahmad said: "They (the authorities) need to be more sincere and not push the responsibilities around. We have no one else to turn to. When it rains, Sungai Salak will overflow and the murky water will flood nearby areas," he said, adding that this had never happened before.

200mm of rain needed to raise water level at Sg Selangor dam to 55%
loshana k. shagar The Star 9 Apr 14;

SHAH ALAM: Some 200mm of rain are needed to raise the water level at the Sungai Selangor dam to 55% from the current 37.38%, and end water rationing in the state.

"This means we need rainfall amounting to that of the entire month of November for us to raise the percentage,” said Lembaga Urus Air Selangor (Luas) director Md Khairi Selamat.

"If we do not reach this level by April 30, chances are that water rationing will be extended until the level is reached," he told a press conference Wednesday.

Of the seven dams in Selangor, four are below the safe level of 70%, including the Sungai Selangor dam, which supplies water to 60% of households in the state.

Md Khairi said the state was banking on increased rainfall in May, when the monsoon kicks in.

"Cloud seeding operations here will also continue next week, and will be more focused on the water retention areas of Sungai Selangor and Klang Gates dams until May 31, subject to weather conditions," he said.

Khairi also noted that Syabas' announcement Tuesday on relaxing water rationing came about after the treatment plants in Batu 11, Cheras and Bukit Tampoi were reopened on March 30.

"The plants, which were previously closed following high ammonia levels in the rivers, could be reopened as recent rains diluted the ammonia content in the rivers.

"This will allow for more treated water production, so the relaxation of water rationing can happen," he said.

However, Khairi said he could not explain how the relaxation would work, saying it was up to Syabas.

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Australian shark fear survey shows little support for culling

Reuters 9 Apr 14;

(Reuters) - Australia ranks high in global charts of shark attacks and is currently running an aggressive culling drive against the marine predator, but a new survey says many Australians aren't really that worried about them.

The survey of 583 visitors to the Sydney aquarium found 77 percent of the respondents were "not at all frightened" or only "moderately frightened" by sharks. Some 87 percent said they shouldn't be killed despite the threat they pose.

A sizeable 69 percent see public education as the best method for preventing shark bites. Some 18 percent say the sharks should simply be left alone.

"The assumption is that the public is afraid that when shark bites happen that they react emotionally and that they are looking for an immediate response," University of Sydney shark expert Christopher Neff told Reuters.

"My data and what the public has said refutes that," he said of the survey, which asked visitors how the government should respond to shark attacks.

There have been 892 shark attacks in Australia since records began in 1791, 217 of which have been fatal. Ten attacks and two deaths were reported last year, according to the University of Florida's annual International Shark Attack File.

The largest shark culling drive in the world is currently under way in Western Australia, where attacks are most common.

Forty-five sharks have been killed there so far this year after being caught on baited drum lines the state government wants to extend for three years.

Only four percent of respondents to Neff's survey supported shark hunts while nine percent wanted more shark nets.

"We've gone from Hollywood myths to reality and the public has made that transition. The public have switched from seeing sharks as they used to see them from Hollywood and seeing them in real life and being able to distinguish the two," Neff said.

The researcher said that visiting the aquarium's glass tunnel known as "Shark Valley" could help reduce people's fear of sharks. Participants answered the survey after strolling through the tunnel, where they could watch sharks close up.

"This survey shows that education makes a huge difference to the way the public looks at sharks and their behavior, so we know education works," said Neff, whose survey was financed by the Sea Life Conservation Fund.

(Reporting by Pauline Askin; Editing by Tom Heneghan)

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