Best of our wild blogs: 16 Jun 17

Large fish traps in Singapore waters
wild shores of singapore

Oil spill off Pulau Tekong in Johor waters 15 Jun 2017
wild shores of singapore

Does Singapore have marine water quality standards like Malaysia?
Water Quality in Singapore

Mangrove loss threatens migratory shorebird route in N. Sumatra
mongabay.com

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A guide to Singapore's guides

Olivia Ho and Lian Szu Jin Straits Times 16 Jun 17;

Dazed and confused by sprawling collections of artefacts? Unsure why a national monument matters? Lost while wandering in the wild?

There are also numerous burgeoning guide groups for community heritage trails, art outreach, nature walks and more.

Who are these dedicated people? The Straits Times provides a guide to the guides.

BUG LOVER FINDS CALLING AS NATURE GUIDE

Mr Ivan Kwan, who started guiding in his early 20s, set up his ownnature guiding company in December last year and covers places such as Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (above). PHOTOS: FELINE LIM, PATRICE LAMOUREUX
Ivan Kwan, 35, full-time nature guide

Guide at: Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Pulau Ubin, Chek Jawa Wetlands, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Central Catchment Nature Reserve, Pasir Ris Park and anywhere else on request (go to www.natureadventures.sg or e-mail hello@natureadventures.sg)

"I was the weird kid who always played with all sorts of bugs and insects," says Mr Kwan as he transfers a small, furry spider from a railing along Sungei Buloh's Mangrove Boardwalk into his hands.

"This is a heavy jumper, one of the largest jumping spiders in Singapore," he adds, as he takes the photographer and me on a tour around the wetland reserve.

He grew up in Tampines and loved observing the frogs and tadpoles found in the grassy field next to his block, as well as the insects that flew into his house.

He has grown up to be a passionate nature guide, giving tours to places such as the wetland reserve and Chek Jawa for 10 years with different organisations.

In December last year, the bachelor set up his nature guiding company, Nature Adventures SG.

He started guiding in his early 20s. During his last year studying geography at the National University of Singapore (NUS), he started volunteering as a nature guide for NUS Toddycats - a volunteer group with the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.

After he graduated, he worked as a research assistant at NUS, then as a conservation projects manager at National Parks Board.

He also volunteered with a group called the Naked Hermit Crabs and took visitors to the boardwalk at Chek Jawa.

His favourite place to guide at is Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve because of the crocodiles there. During the interview, he demonstrates his skills, recognising faraway birds such as a white-bellied sea eagle from its call.

Setting up his nature guiding company, he says, is a way of "doing what I'm passionate about as work".

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Oil tanker sinks off Johor, six crew members missing

The Star 15 Jun 17;



PETALING JAYA: An oil tanker sank in Johor waters after an explosion on board and six of its Indonesian crew members are missing.

The Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said it received information on the incident from the Singapore Police Coast Guard (SPCG) at about 5am on Thursday that the MT Putri Sea could not be contacted by the tanker's agent.

It said the incident could have happened 4.6 nautical miles south-west of Tanjung Pengelih in Johor.

MMEA deputy director-general (logistics) Maritime Rear Admiral Datuk Mohd Taha Ibrahim said the agency sent a patrol vessel from Tanjung Sedili to investigate.

He added that the Penggalang 15 reached the area at 6.15am and found the tanker not in sight, but there were traces of an oil spill in the area.

A search and rescue operation involving four boats was activated at 12.30pm Thursday, Admiral Mohd Taha said.

The missing crew members have been identified as Akhmad Faharuddin, 35, Muhamad Heri Hernanda, 28, Raden Abdur Rahem, 31, Rendy Alamanda, 28, Sulkifli, 39, and Yohanis Sumari, 35.

The tanker, registered in Equatorial Guinea, is believed to have been carrying crude oil.




Oil tanker believed to have sunk
The Star 16 Jun 17;

PETALING JAYA: An oil tanker is believed to have sunk after it caught fire off Tanjung Pengelih in Johor, with six of its crewmen missing.

“MT Putri Sea is believed to have been carrying crude oil. It is registered at Malabo Port, Equatorial Guinea,” said Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deputy director-general of operations Rear Admiral Maritime Datuk Mohd Taha Ibrahim.

The vessel was carrying six crew members, all of them Indonesians, aged 28 to 39.

In a statement yesterday, he said MMEA found traces of oil spill around the area.

MMEA, he said, received information from the Singapore Police Coast Guard at about 5am yesterday that MT Putri Sea could not be reached by the vessel agent and that it could have caught fire and sunk about 4.6 nautical miles south-west of Tanjung Pengelih.

A search and rescue mission had been activated, he said.

Vessel sinks off Pengerang waters after explosion, 6 Indonesian crew members missing
New Straits Times 15 Jun 17;

JOHOR BARU: Six Indonesian crew members are missing when an Equatorial Guinea-registered tanker vessel sank 4.6 nautical miles from Pengerang, Johor at about 5am today due to explosion in its engine room.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deputy director-general Rear Admiral Maritime Datuk Mohd Taha Ibrahim said the agency was alerted by the Singapore Police Coast Guard about the vessel, MT Putri Sea, catching fire after an explosion.

The vessel was sailing on the waters of Tanjung Pengelih, Pengerang at the time.

"The tanker ship registered in Malabo Port, Equatorial Guinea was carrying fuel and was believed to have sunk 4.6 nautical miles off Pengerang waters after an explosion where fire engulfed the vessel's main engine room," he said.

"A patrol boat from Tanjung Sedili D7 Maritime District was deployed immediately but when they arrived at the location they could not find the ship identified as MT Putri Sea," he said.

Taha said they believed the ship had sunk based on the trail of fuel on the ocean surface.

He said the six crew members on board were all Indonesians aged between 28 and 39 years, and all are still missing.

"A search and rescue operation has been activated to locate the missing ship crew members," he said.


Oil tanker sinks off East Johor Straits near Pulau Tekong, 6 Indonesian crew members missing
Today Online 15 Jun 17;

JOHOR BARU — Six Indonesian crew members are missing when an Equatorial Guinea-registered tanker vessel sank 4.6 nautical miles from Pengerang, Johor at about 5am Thursday (June 15) due to an explosion in its engine room.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deputy director-general Rear Admiral Maritime Mohd Taha Ibrahim said the agency was alerted by the Singapore Police Coast Guard about the vessel, MT Putri Sea, catching fire after an explosion.

The vessel was sailing in the waters of Tanjung Pengelih, Pengerang at the time, which is off the East Johor Straits near Pulau Tekong.

"The tanker ship registered in Malabo Port, Equatorial Guinea was carrying fuel and was believed to have sunk 4.6 nautical miles off Pengerang waters after an explosion where fire engulfed the vessel's main engine room," he said.

"A patrol boat from Tanjung Sedili D7 Maritime District was deployed immediately but when they arrived at the location they could not find the ship identified as MT Putri Sea," he said.

Mr Taha said they believed the ship had sunk based on the trail of fuel on the ocean surface.

He said the six crew members on board were all Indonesians aged between 28 and 39 years, and all are still missing.

"A search and rescue operation has been activated to locate the missing ship crew members," he said. NEW STRAITS TIMES


Search continues for crew members of sunken oil tanker
KATHLEEN ANN KILI The Star 16 Jun 17;

KOTA TINGGI: The search and rescue operations are ongoing for six missing Indonesian crew members of an oil tanker which sank after an explosion on board.

The MT Putri Sea is believed to have sunk off Tanjung Pengelih here on Thursday.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Southern Region operations deputy director Maritime Capt Sanifah Yusof said Friday that some 50 officers from the agency, the navy and marine police on seven boats are involved in the search.

The vessel, carrying crude oil, had reportedly lost contact with its agent in Singapore at about 4.6 nautical miles south-west of Tanjung Pengelih at around 5am on Thursday.

The Singapore Police Coast Guard alerted MMEA on the incident.

Capt Sanifah said the operations on Friday covered some 35 nautical miles from the waters off Tanjung Setapa to Teluk Ramunia.

“The operations include containing and cleaning-up of the oil spill, as well as setting up signages and buoys at the location where the MT Putri Sea is said to have sunk.

“The cause of the incident is still under investigation.

"The Marine Department will be issuing a notice to trace the owner of the vessel,” he added.

The 46.3m-long MT Putri Sea, which carried the call sign 3CZU, was registered in Equatorial Guinea.

The missing crew members were identified as Akhmad Faharuddin, 35, Muhamad Heri Hernanda, 28, Raden Abdur Rahem, 31, Rendy Alamanda, 28, Sulkifli, 39, and Yohanis Sumari, 35.


SAR continues for missing crew members, MT Putri Sea vessel after explosion
Rizalman Hammim New Straits Times 16 Jun 17;

JOHOR BARU: The search and rescue operation for the missing MT Putri Sea vessel and its crew members continued today with efforts being concentrated over a 35 square nautical miles area between waters off Tanjung Stapa and Teluk Ramunia.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Southern Region deputy director of operations Captain (Maritime) Sanifah Yusof said the operation involved assets and personnel from various agencies including MMEA, the Royal Malaysian Navy, marine police, the Marine Department and Johor Port.

"A total of seven assets and 50 personnel are involved in the operation," said Sanifah in a statement.

He said today's operation also includes measures to contain an oil spill and to place isolated danger buoy at locations where the vessel is believed to have sank.

"The cause of the incident is still being investigated and the Marine Department have issued a notice to identify the owner of the vessel," said Sanifah.

Yesterday, it was reported that the Equatorial Guinea-registered tanker had sank 4.6 nautical miles off Pengerang waters after an explosion where fire engulfed the vessel’s main engine room.

MMEA had said that they believed the ship had sunk based on a trail of fuel on the ocean’s surface.

There are six Indonesian crew members on board.

Ship Carrying Indonesian Crew Members Sinks off Johor Coast
Tempo 16 Jun 17;

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A cargo ship carrying 15 Indonesian crew members sink off Johor Bahru west coast in Malaysia.

“The incident took place on June 14. Fourteen were unharmed and one was treated at Melaka Hospital and one died. The process to send them back will be carried out by the Transportation Attache of Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur,” Indonesian Consul-General in Johor Bahru Haris Nugroho said today, June 16.

Aside from the incident, reports also said that a trade ship carrying six Indonesians caught fire on June 15.

“On June 15, we were informed by SPCG [Singapore Police Coast Guard] that a trade ship MT PUTRI SEA carrying six Indonesian crew members caught fire… southeast of Tanjung Pengelih [Malaysia].”

All crew members reportedly managed to leave the ship.

“A motorboat from DM 7 Tanjung Sedili has been tasked with investigating the incident. But upon arrival at the scene, it did not see the ship being reported. A monitoring and search were subsequently conducted,” he said.

Hari said that oil spill allegedly from the burned ship was found. He suspected that the ship sunk in the incident.

“The next step is to await Jabatan Laut [Malaysian Marine Department] to place buoys at the scene and carry out oil spill security measures. SAR team is searching six missing crew members,” Haris Nugroho said.

ANTARA

Sunken oil tanker MT Putri Sea found
M. KUMAR The Star 18 Jun 17;

PETALING JAYA: The Royal Malaysian Navy has found the wreck of the MT Putri Sea, which is believed to have sunk off Tanjung Pengelih following an explosion.

RMN chief Admiral Tan Sri Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin said on Twitter that the navy hydrography vessel KD Perantau had detected an underwater object, which is believed to be the missing MT Putri Sea.

"Bravo to KD Perantau for successfully detecting MT Putri Sea using multi-beam sonar," he tweeted on Sunday.

The oil container MT Putri Sea lost contact with its agent in Singapore approximately 4.6 nautical miles south-west of Tanjung Pengelih at around 5am on Thursday.

It was reported that the ship, which was carrying crude oil, may have sunk soon after an explosion on board.

Six crew members were reported missing.

The 46.3m-long MT Putri Sea was registered in Equatorial Guinea.

The missing crew members were identified as Akhmad Faharuddin, 35, Muhamad Heri Hernanda, 28, Raden Abdur Rahem, 31, Rendy Alamanda, 28, Sulkifli, 39, and Yohanis Sumari, 35

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Cambodia: Opposition Official Seeks More Information on Silica Sand Exports

BEN PAVIOUR and SEK ODOM Cambodia Daily 15 Jun 17;

CNRP lawmaker Son Chhay has formally asked Mines and Energy Minister Suy Sem to provide detailed trade records for silica sand, the only variety of sand still allowed to leave Cambodia after an export ban was enacted last year amid corruption allegations.

The minister must “not just say things, but provide evidence,” Mr. Chhay said on Sunday, adding that he might ask parliament to summon Mr. Sem for a second round of sand trade-related questioning after he denied any trade irregularities in December.

The ministry suspended sand exports and new dredging licenses in a memo posted to its Facebook page on November 2 after months of accusations of misdeeds tied to enormous monetary discrepancies in records of sand exports to Singapore.

But in the request signed by Mr. Chhay last Friday, the lawmaker said the National Assembly had never been notified of the ban’s details, or of a later clarification on May 2 that exempted silica sand, which, unlike Singapore-bound sea sand, is mined from the ground.

Mr. Chhay asked the minister to “provide more documents and detail related to the announcement by the Mines and Energy Ministry after environmental activists and media described irregularities and suspicions of corruption over the business of sea sand exports.”

The letter, which National Assembly President Heng Samrin forwarded to Mr. Sem on Tuesday, requests the names of registered silica sand dredgers, the places they mine, environmental impact assessments completed on those sites, and documentation related to the quantity and destination of silica sand exports.

Alex Gonzalez-Davidson, the exiled head of environmental NGO Mother Nature, which has spearheaded activism against dredging, said he was concerned about silica sand exports as they enriched the alleged culprits of past ecological destruction.

“Cambodia is sadly becoming more and more of a mafia state, and as such the exploitation of natural resources is nothing but an opportunity for those in charge of state organs to become filthy rich,” he said.


Son Chhay plans to summon mines minister regarding sand
Meas Sokchea Phnom Penh Post 23 Jun 17;

Opposition lawmaker Son Chhay said yesterday he now plans to summon Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem for questioning in parliament after he failed to respond to his inquiry in writing regarding information on the export of silica sand.

Chhay, who is also planning to summon Labour Minister Ith Sam Heng, said the requests to appear for questioning will be delivered late this month when National Assembly President Heng Samrin returns from a mission abroad.

In a June 9 letter, Chhay requested Sem to provide information and documents related to silica sand extraction and exports, in response to revelations that the specific type of sand is exempt from a ban on sand exports.

“As principle, [Sem] must answer,” he said. “We have not seen his reply. So, it’s an abuse of the Constitution.”

Under the Constitution, a minister must provide a verbal or written response within seven days of receiving questions from lawmakers, Chhay noted.

Last year, the Mines Ministry temporarily suspended sand exports after controversy erupted over the discrepancy between the $5 million of sand exports to Singapore that Cambodia recorded from 2007 to 2015 and the $752 million that the city-state recorded as imports from the Kingdom.

Chhay also plans to summons Sam Heng – one of three ministers instructed by Prime Minister Hun Sen in February to ignore any requests by the opposition to appear before lawmakers at the assembly.

National Assembly spokesman Leng Peng Long said lawmakers have the right to summons government officials, but he said the questioning shouldn’t be used for “political gain.” In such cases, he said, the Assembly and Hun Sen would not allow the ministers to appear for questioning.

Chhay called on Sam Heng to appear in the National Assembly to answer questions about garment workers and migrant workers living in Thailand who weren’t able to travel to their hometowns to vote during the June 4 commune elections.

Dith Tina, a spokesman with the Ministry of Mines and Energy, said the ministry would respond to the opposition lawmaker’s inquiries, and that his questions required more than “simple answers that can be done within seven days”.

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AVA issues code of animal welfare for pet owners

Channel NewsAsia 15 Jun 17;

SINGAPORE: The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) on Thursday (Jun 15) issued a new code of animal welfare for pet owners to take effect on the same day.

The Code of Animal Welfare (for Pet Owners) sets out minimum standards which pet owners are expected to meet regarding accountability, animal housing and environment and animal management and care.

Published on the AVA's website, the code specifies minimum standards all pet owners should meet, including on diet and feeding; how pets are housed, tethered and transported; what to do if a pet goes missing; as well as care guidelines for specific animals, for instance, cold-climate dog breeds.

“The issuance of the code is another step forward for animal welfare in Singapore," said the AVA's CEO Tan Poh Hong. "Owning a pet is a lifelong commitment and AVA has always advocated responsible pet ownership."

"With the code, pet owners will now have an official guide that explains their responsibilities," she said, adding that AVA would continue to work closely with pet owners, animal welfare groups and other stakeholders to enhance animal welfare standards in Singapore.

It is not an offence if a pet owner fails to meet a minimum standard in the code, however the AVA said that this failure could be used to "support prosecution or other enforcement actions for animal welfare cases".

The new code follows the establishment of a similar code for the pet industry in Singapore which AVA announced last August.

Both codes were drafted by the Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration Committee for Animal Welfare (MSCC), chaired by Member of Parliament for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC Alex Yam.

Established in October 2013, the MSCC is made up of private and public sector representatives including Members of Parliament, animal welfare groups, vets and the AVA.

SOME GUIDELINES FOR PET OWNERS

- If your pet is lost, make a missing pet report to the police or AVA, and make an effort to find it such as putting up "missing pet" advertisements.

- Pets should be housed in a well-ventilated, comfortable and clean environment. They should not be exposed to excessive noise, sunlight, heat or strong winds.

- Pets that are not compatible should be housed separately.

- Keep your pet in a safe area where it cannot easily escape or be released accidentally.

- Tethers should be fastened to a secure object that will not fall or hurt your pet.

- When using a carrier, make sure your pet can stand, turn around and lie down in it.

- Observe your pet daily and take it to the vet if you notice any signs of illness.

Source: CNA/nc

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Malaysia: Four fish bombers nabbed

The Star 16 Jun 17;

KOTA KINABALU: One group gave authorities the slip while another was nabbed for using explosives to catch fish near Pulau Gaya and in waters off Sandakan respectively, in two separate cases here.

In the first case, four men ditched their catch weighing over 140kg after marine officials patrolling near Pulau Gaya saw two pump boats cruising without lights at about 6.35pm on Wednesday.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency director for Kota Kinabalu First Admiral Adam Aziz said when the team approached the pump boats, four men jumped into the sea and fled towards the water village on a nearby island.

“The suspects were seen throwing something like bottles into the sea before they jumped in,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

A check on the boats led to a find of some 140kg of fish stored in plastic containers.

“We also found various items believed to be used for fish bombing,” said Adam, adding that the suspects were being hunted down.

This case will be investigated under the Fisheries Act, he said.

In the second case, four foreigners were nabbed near the Langkayan area in waters off the Sandakan district at about 5pm on Wednesday.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency operations deputy chief for Sandakan Commander Mohd Khairulanuar Abd Majid said its patrol team saw a pump boat tilting sideways and went to investigate.

“Our men found five bottles filled with explosive substances believed to be used to bomb fish and a drum filled with about 50kg of fish,” he said.

Four Filipinos, aged between 15 and 47, were detained for investigation under the Immigration Act for travelling without documents and the Fisheries Act for fishing using illegal methods.


MMEA chases fish bombers near Pulau Gaya, seizes 2 boats, 140kg of fish
AARON LEE New Straits Times 14 Jun 17;

KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has seized explosive items, diving equipment and 140kg of fish that were caught illegally off Pulau Gaya yesterday.

Kota Kinabalu MMEA director First Admiral Adam Aziz said two pump boats were also confiscated during the operation at 6.35pm yesterday.

“MMEA personnel initially spotted two suspicious-looking pump boats at 0.2 nautical miles off Pulau Gaya.

“As our men got closer, the skippers of both boats immediately sped off towards the island.

“At the shore, four men were then spotted jumping into the water to make their escape, leaving the boats behind,” he said.

Further checks found numerous explosive items and diving equipment believed to have been used for illegal fish bombing activity.

“About 140kg of fish were also confiscated and all the seized items were taken to the MMEA jetty in Sepanggar for further investigation.” he said.

The case will be investigated under the Fisheries Act 1985.

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Marine expert warns of climate emergency as fish abandon tropical waters

Daniel Pauly is calling for a new plan to manage fishing levels as the industry’s expansion combines with global warming
Helen Davidson The Guardian 15 Jun 17;

As climate change pushes marine species towards cooler waters, and the fishing industry expands around the globe, the tropics are emptying out, a leading fisheries expert has warned.

The federal government is expected to release its new management plan for marine reserves in coming weeks, after a 2016 review recommended winding back protections. However Dr Daniel Pauly has called for the creation of more, saying they are the only realistic form of mitigation to the current crisis.

Pauly, principal investigator at the Sea Around Us research organisation, said it was unknown whether the “explosion” of fishing industries or global warming was having the biggest impact on fish stocks, but both needed to be addressed.

“The depth, the distance from the coast, all of these were factors which protected fish. Now we go everywhere … now nothing protects the fish,” he said during an observation tour of Darwin’s tropical harbour.

“Climate change is something that is already being perceived by fish. It’s already happening and they’re already moving,” he said.

Warmer waters were pushing marine species away from the equator at a rate of about 50km per decade as they followed the ideal temperatures for feeding and spawning.

“In temperate areas you will have the fish coming from a warmer area, and another one leaving. You’ll have a lot of transformation but they will actually – at least in terms of fishery – adapt. In the tropics you don’t have the replacement, you have only fish leaving.”

Research by Pauly and the Sea Around Us has repeatedly called for greater focus on fisheries data from a global perspective rather than local, to properly assess the impact of commercial competition and climate change.

“Locally the work must be done also, but you can get insights if you look at the global issue,” he said.

Sea Around Us research has found that while the lack of industrial-scale fishing meant the problem wasn’t as bad in Australia, there were signs of a decline.

Pauly said there were only a few nations – of which Australia was one – that studied the species loss in the tropics.

“You can have entire fisheries collapsing without knowing because you cannot separate the global warming-induced migration from the reduction due to fishing, or even pollution. So we will never know for sure why this or that collapse has occurred, except in a few cases.”

In 2012 the Gillard government established 42 marine reserves around Australia, but these were effectively suspended by the Tony Abbott-led Coalition government, which commissioned a review.

In 2016 the review reports recommended winding back protections – advice at odds with Pauly’s views – in order to balance competing environmental, commercial, and socioeconomic interests.

A new management plan for marine reserves, based on the recommendations, is due to be delivered by the commonwealth Department of Environment in coming months.

Pauly said creating more marine reserves was the only real option for governments to mitigate the damage in the meantime, and aiding population growth in particular areas would spill over into fishing zones.

“The only thing you can do – and it’s only mitigation – is keep the population big in the sea,” he said.

Populations bounce back quickly when fishing stops, Pauly said, and a higher variance of individual fish assisted a natural evolution of greater tolerance to warmer temperatures.

“Marine protected areas, marine areas, are one mitigating factor, and it’s the only thing you can do.”

Pauly said marine reserves needed to exist along side good management, which Australia already had with “outstanding policies” like maximum yields.

Seasonal closures weren’t enough, added Prof Jessica Meeuwig, of the University of Western Australia’s marine futures lab.

Large breeding fish were still taken during open seasons, drastically upsetting population balances, and partial protections in place were inadequate.

“It’s like having a Ferrari with a lawnmower engine – there’s no grunt,” she said.

“That’s one of the big things we need to start having a conversation about. When you say marine park, that it’s actually a marine park that’s protected. The Great Barrier Reef marine park, 67% of it is open to fishing, and Ningaloo has 66% open to fishing.”

“It gives people a false sense of security because they think they’ve protected something when they haven’t.”

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