Channel NewsAsia 23 Dec 18;
SINGAPORE: PUB has suspended all fishing activities and closed designated fishing grounds at Lower Peirce Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir until further notice, after non-native stingrays were spotted in Lower Peirce Reservoir.
Around 60 Motoro stingrays, also known as Potamotrygonidae motoro, were reportedly found in the water at Lower Peirce Reservoir last week.
PUB told Channel NewsAsia on Sunday (Dec 23) that it had suspended all fishing activities and closed the designated fishing grounds at the reservoirs until further notice.
"PUB will be conducting investigations and removal of the stingrays," said the water agency. "As a precaution, PUB will suspend all fishing activities and close designated fishing grounds at Lower Peirce Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir until further notice."
The agency advised the public to "exercise caution at the reservoir".
When Channel NewsAsia went to Lower Peirce Reservoir on Sunday, a cordoned off area was seen by the water, along with a notice saying that the fishing grounds would be "closed for maintenance until further notice".
A similar sign was also seen at Upper Seletar Reservoir.
Since 2015, PUB has removed 75 Motoro stingrays from Singapore's reservoirs and waterways.
Releasing any animal, including fish, into reservoirs and waterways in Singapore is illegal and offenders may be fined up to S$3,000.
In 2017, a man was fined S$2,600 after he released three Motoro stingrays into Lower Seletar Reservoir.
Said PUB: "Our reservoirs and waterways serve, first and foremost, as a source of water supply, and PUB’s core interest is in safeguarding Singapore’s water quality and ensuring water safety.
"The release of animals into our waters may impact the water quality of our water sources, and may pose a risk to users of our water bodies."
Source: CNA/na/nc
PUB investigating non-native stingrays found at Lower Peirce Reservoir; fishing grounds closed
Choo Yun Ting Straits Times 23 Dec 18;
SINGAPORE - Designated fishing grounds at Lower Peirce Reservoir and Upper Seletar Reservoir will be closed until further notice, water agency PUB said.
Motoro stingrays, which are non-native to Singapore, were spotted at Lower Peirce Reservoir last week, with a Lianhe Wanbao reader claiming that 60 motoro stingrays were seen at the reservoir.
The PUB said that the number of stingrays in these water bodies have yet to be determined.
It is currently conducting investigations and removing stingrays from the two reservoirs, the agency added.
Mr Huang Hongguo, 70, told Wanbao that the number of stingrays in the reservoir have increased greatly in the last four to five years.
The Straits Times understands that the stingrays may have been released into the reservoir by members of the public.
"The release of animals into our waters may impact the water quality of our water sources, and may pose a risk to users of our water bodies," PUB said.
Examples of invasive species that can now be found in Singapore (clockwise from top left): American bullfrog, red-eared slider, golden apple snail, Australian red-clawed crayfish, Geophagus altifrons.
Members of the public are urged not to release animals into reservoirs and waterways.
Seventy-five motoro stingrays have been removed from these water bodies since 2015, PUB said.
The water agency has been working with the National Parks Board and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) on Operation No Release, which seeks to raise public awareness on the harmful impact of releasing animals into reservoirs and waterways.
It is an offence to release animals, including fish, into reservoirs and waterways in Singapore, PUB said. Those caught doing so may be fined up to $3,000.
Last year, a 48-year-old man was fined $2,600 for releasing three motoro stingrays into Lower Seletar Reservoir.
If members of the public spot people releasing animals into water bodies, they can call the PUB hotline on 1800-2255-782 (1800-CALL-PUB), or the AVA via its 24-hour hotline 1800-476-1600.
