Of low tides and high appetites

Straits Times 27 Oct 12;

NEWS of the launch of the Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey this week had so struck Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Chuan-Jin - known for his interest in heritage issues - that he was moved to make a long posting on his Facebook page.

Inspired by reports of the largest marine life audit to be done and the seagrass, sponges and starfish that can be found in local waters, Mr Tan waxed lyrical over Singapore's marine life and posted photos of his field trip with a survey expedition.

He also got quite serious, reminding readers that Singapore will not be able to conserve all areas with biodiversity as some of them will be needed for development.

In effect, he was addressing a tough question that Singaporeans have been grappling with - how much heritage to preserve or sacrifice in the name of development.

But Mr Tan posed perhaps the most quintessentially Singaporean of all questions when contemplating a crab that had been found.

"A fine specimen," he commented. "I wonder if it is edible..."

PHUA MEI PIN

Related links
The Wonders of our Waters by Minister Tan Chuan-Jin on facebook

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Best of our wild blogs: 28 Oct 12

More sea anemones at the Northern Expedition Day 13
from Mega Marine Survey of Singapore and Northern Expedition on Channel NewsAsia

Butterfly of the Month - October 2012: The Orange Emigrant from Butterflies of Singapore

Damselfly (30) – Libellago Lineata
from Dragonflies & Damselflies of Singapore

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Marine biodiversity expedition finds new records, rediscoveries in Singapore

Monica Kotwani Channel NewsAsia 27 Oct 12;

SINGAPORE: Singapore's largest marine biodiversity expedition is unearthing new records and rediscoveries of marine fauna.

Experts say the three-week expedition will go a long way towards future policy planning.

The expedition involves some 170 renowned local and international scientists, as well as conservation officers and volunteers.

They have set up base at Pulau Ubin's Outward Bound School.

The mammoth task involves dredging and trawling through murky waters to collect samples, sifting through gravel, mud and sand and finally photographing and identifying the thousands of specimens.

For Dr Daphne Fautin, a Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with the University of Kansas, the results have thrown up a few surprises.

She said: "I was very reluctant, because I knew Singapore has changed so much since I was here, including all of the expansion of the land. So I thought, 'I'm not going to find anything on the shores because it's all been filled in and extended'. And I was just astonished at the diversity.

"Species that previously were known only from India, we're finding them here. That's not so far away, and that's not too surprising, but I think we're getting a meeting of the Pacific fauna and the Indian fauna, which makes Singapore particularly rich and wonderful and very diverse in the marine realm."

The expedition is part of Singapore's first Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey (CMBS), launched in 2010, and which aims to take an inventory of the island's marine ecosystem.

Since the expedition started on 15 October, about 30 dredging and inter-tidal surveys have been conducted, with 12 more expected until the expedition ends on 2 November.

NParks, which is facilitating the survey, says about 1,000 specimens have been collected. Five new specimen records and two rediscoveries have also been documented.

With the expedition expected to amass a rich amount of data, experts hope the information will go a long way.

Professor Peter Ng, director of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity at the National University of Singapore, said: "What this survey will do, at least for these three weeks, is add a new layer of information that we didn't previously have.

"One of the missions here, not overly declared but definitely in the pipeline, is we want to build this baseline so that we can make more coherent decisions down the road."

The biodiversity survey should be completed by 2015, at a cost of between S$3m-S$4m. This includes funding received from the government as well as corporate sponsors.

- CNA/ir

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Malaysia: Residents resigned to co-exist with crocodiles

Vanes Devindran 27 Oct 12;

KUCHING: When Sujana (not her real name) went house hunting at Cahaya Permai in Bandar Baru Samariang, she was mesmerised by the dark green mangrove forest with Mount Santubong as the backdrop.

The calmness of nature compelled her to sign on the dotted line and soon she was the happy owner of a corner lot.

However, serenity came with a price, for the river, Sungai Bodo, which flows in front of her house is said to be infested by crocodiles.

Last Tuesday, a 2m crocodile was spotted inside a monsoon drain a couple of houses down the lane from Sujana’s house.

It is said that the crocodile had attacked a cat and possibly also responsible for a string of missing cats before that.

Speaking to The Star in her gazebo facing the river and Mount Santubong, Sujana said no doubt the crocodile population had struck fear among the residents of Bandar Baru Samariang but there was nothing much that could be done about it.

“We have to acknowledge that the crocodiles were here first and they are part of the natural environment surrounding us,” she said.

“We fear that they might become bold and come up to the housing area, but so far they have not reached that stage of intrusion apart from the incident with the cat.”

She said the residents were so used to seeing crocodiles swimming by and lazing among the mangroves on the opposite bank of the river.

She said the river was about 6m deep. When the tide comes in, anglers would line up the bank fishing for prawns and crabs or just enjoy the view of Mount Santubong.

“The crocodiles tend to shy away from people. Some nights, my husband used a torchlight to check the surrounding and he could see the eyes of the crocodiles, which reflected the light. The crocodiles quickly go underwater when they see people.

“What’s scary about the whole thing is that children being children — they love playing by the river. We fear for them,” she said.

Asked if she wanted the Government to get rid of the crocodiles, Sujana doubted if anything could be done about them.

She said given that the river was the natural habitat of the crocodiles, there seemed to be nothing much that could be done except perhaps having wildlife guards patrol the area.

“I think a good way to solve the problem to a certain extent is to build a concrete wall along the bank. It would prevent any crocodile from climbing up to the housing area and at the same time prevent soil erosion.

“I do not regret buying what is now my house here. My husband used to tell me that we got a bonus, which is the view of Mount Santubong and the peaceful surrounding of the mangrove forest. In fact, I hope there would not be any more project here so as not to ruin the greenery. There must be some form of control or we will end up losing our natural surroundings and the animals and plants in our swamps,” she said.

Earlier on, another resident who wished to be known only as Aminah, said the crocodiles in the neighbourhood were practically like stray dogs in Bandar Baru Samariang.

“I see them almost everyday in the river and sunbathing on the banks. This is their habitat and we knew about it even before we bought our houses.

“This has not deterred locals from the nearby area from fishing in the river. So far, no untoward incident has occurred.

The reptiles are scared of humans too and they’ll just swim away when people or vehicles approach,” she said.

Aminah believed the food stock in the river was getting less, thus depriving crocodiles of sustenance.

As such, the crocodiles now look for food on land, she pointed out.

“They are God’s creations too, and deserve to live. We are scared no doubt but I guess we have to learn to live together. We don’t disturb them, they don’t disturb us,” Aminah said.

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Best of our wild blogs: 27 Oct 12

Mangrove anemones and special slug at the Northern Expedition Day 12 from Mega Marine Survey of Singapore

Yellow-vented Bulbul uses a plastic bag to construct a nest
from Bird Ecology Study Group

Dragonfly (42) – Pornothemis starrei
from Dragonflies & Damselflies of Singapore and Behaviours of Libellago Lineata

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Malaysia: Batu Caves at risk of caving in

Loshana K Shagar The Star 26 Oct 12;

PETALING JAYA: Batu Caves could cave in if a 29-storey condominium project near the area is given the green light, said Selangor Malaysian Nature Society committee member Lim Teck Wyn.

He said the project would expedite the limestone massif's natural erosion process, causing it to possibly cave in sooner.

“Every year there is a small amount of limestone falling away from the structure, causing skylights.

“The piling and construction work for the building will increase this amount, causing the structure to collapse sooner rather than later,” he said yesterday.

On Monday, it was reported that the Batu Caves temple committee had given a notice of demand to the project's developer, Dolomite Industries.

The state government had ordered the developer to stop all construction-related works, and said it would conduct soil testing in the area.

The property was advertised as a serviced residence located “a stone's throw away” from Batu Caves and with a “panoramic view” of the site.

Lim said the project was not in compliance with the guidelines by the Minerals and Geoscience Department, which stated that high-rise construction should not be done within a radius of 500m from the foothills.

MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said the state government should identify land in a different locality for the condominium project, or compensate Dolomite Industries.

“Conducting soil tests and coming out with a test result that the ground and caves are safe is not going to prove anything over the long term.

“The building and the caves may not collapse immediately after construction, but it may happen later,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said limestone hills were not like the ones in Damansara area, which were of granite in nature.

Dark Caves conservation site management director Don Haider said the two proposed high-rise blocks would endanger some species of fauna within the caves.

“As the construction progresses, it will cause cracks and fissures in the cave structure. This will impact the limestone walls and a cave in can possibly happen,” he said.

The highest building near Batu Caves area is nine floors, and the rest at five floors as the surrounding area is a water catchment area.

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Indonesia: Beached Whale Found Dead on Central Java Beach

Jakarta Globe 26 Oct 12;

Another whale was found beached and dead on Sidayu Indah beach in the Cilacap district of Central Java on Thursday.

"Local residents found the dead body of the whale at 10 a.m.," Iqbalul Murid, a life guard at Sidayu Indah beach, said, as quoted by Antara news agency on Thursday.

Iqbalul said that the 10 meter-long body has started to rot on the beach.

A local resident named Sadiran took the whale's fin to decorate his house.

"This whale's fin cannot be sold on the market, so I [will] dry it and hang it in my house," he said.

Local residents decided to pull the body further up the shore toward dry land because the carcass's stench had started to disseminate.

"Learning from past experience, the remains will be buried," said Sadiran. A few years ago, another whale was beached on the same shore.

Regardless of the smell, some locals decided to gaze at the dead whale.

"I heard the news at 2 p.m. and I came here directly because I was eager to the remains of the whale," Kitam, another citizen, said.

Recently, 44 pilot whales beached themselves on the island of Savu in the province of East Nusa Tenggara. At least 41 of the whales died.

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Australia: Sick turtles washing ashore

Samantha Turnbull and Bruce MacKenzie ABC News 26 Oct 12;

A turtle rehabilitation centre is struggling to keep up with the number of sick reptiles washing ashore

Sick turtles are appearing on north coast beaches earlier than expected.

The Australian Seabird Rescue rehabilitation centre at Ballina is already overflowing with 14 turtles - two more than it's designed to fit.

ASR spokesman Keith Williams says turtle strandings are usually more common in the middle of summer.

"This is a bit of a worry," he said.

"The summer load has arrived a bit early."

The stranded turtles are a mixture of the green and hawksbill species and Mr Williams says many will not survive.

"The unfortunate aspect of our work is that possibly half of these turtles will die in the first few days, they're just that sick when they strand on the beach," he said.

"If they're turning up on the beach they're already very sick.

"There's no records of turtles stranding on a beach for a sunbake.

"If they're on the beach for four to five hours they'll die from sunstroke and dehydration very quickly."

He said investigations into exactly what's causing the strandings would take place over the next few months.

"The most common thing we see is them having eating plastic, that's about one third to 40 per cent of the turtles we're seeing," Mr Williams said.

"Most of the rest have parasite infestations and that's probably indicating to us that they're not getting enough food so they're susceptible to other kinds of organisms."

Mystery surrounds turtle stranding
Bruce MacKenzie ABC News 26 Oct 12;

There's growing concern about a wave of turtles being stranded on far north coast beaches.

Keith Williams, from Australian Seabird Rescue, says 14 gravely ill turtles have been taken into care this week.

He says a similar phenomenon occurred last year, but it's not known what's causing it.

Mr Williams says both green and hawksbill turtles are washing ashore.

"The hawksbill turtles are a particularly endangered species that we're concerned about, and they represented a large number of the turtles that stranded last year," he said.

"So it's a worry that we're starting to see some more of them again.

"There's clearly something going on out there, and we're going to have to use some detective skills maybe to work out what it is.

"The most common thing we see certainly is them having eaten plastic, that's about one third to 40 per cent of the turtles that we're seeing.

"For most of the rest it's parasite infestation, and that's indicating to us that they're struggling in their diet.

"They're not getting enough food and so they're susceptible to other kinds of organisms."

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Best of our wild blogs: 26 Oct 12

'Panda' of the mangroves discovered, Neil Humphreys writes on Chek Jawa and more from Celebrating Singapore's BioDiversity!

Huntsman Night
from Macro Photography in Singapore

Making A New Friend @ USR
from Beauty of Fauna and Flora in Nature

Leea indica
from The annotated budak

Unknown Damselfly – Amphicnemis gracilis or Amphicnemis bebar? from Dragonflies & Damselflies of Singapore

For NUS Students and Staff: An Invitation to NUSSU SAVE, Save3s’ Plant-A-Tree from Otterman speaks

Immediate Position for One Research Assistant
from Raffles Museum News

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Asia fuels illegal wildlife trade and Singaporeans have a role in it

TRAFFIC 25 Oct 12;

Conservation organisations call for governmental and public support against illegal wildlife trade in Singapore

Singapore, 25th October 2012 – World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore and TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia are calling for the Singapore public to make a pledge on WWF Singapore’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/wwfsg) and website (www.wwf.sg) not to purchase or consume illegal wildlife products.

The initiative is part of a joint global campaign by WWF and TRAFFIC calling for governments around the world to strengthen legislation and enforcement against illegal wildlife trade, and for consumers to play their part in reducing demand for illegal wildlife products.

Singapore’s trade network is believed to have been exploited by criminal groups in the illegal wildlife trade. For example, the world’s second largest seizure of illegal ivory was made in Singapore in 2002 while a July 2012 report identified Singapore as a key laundering point for illegally caught birds from the Solomon Islands.

Recent reports have seen Asia contributing significantly to the worldwide demand for illegal wildlife products. Rising affluence in Asia has resulted in an increase in Asian consumers with the means to purchase illegal products from highly threatened wildlife, such as tigers, elephants and rhinos.

An estimated 800 kilogrammes of illicit rhino horn reaches Asian markets annually mainly to feed a rising demand for its new-found but medically unsubstantiated use as a pick-me-up tonic and hangover cure. Ivory products can also be found in many Asian countries, including China, Thailand and Singapore – many are known to be from illegal sources.

Such demand has helped to fuel a dramatic upsurge of poaching and illegal trade of high value wildlife products. For example, rhino poaching in South Africa rose from 13 animals poached in 2007 to 455 to date in 2012 ; while tens of thousands of African elephants are estimated to be killed annually to supply the ivory markets in Asia.

“Illegally-sourced wildlife is laundered and smuggled into the global market on a very frequent basis. Large volumes of animals and plants are involved, many of which are threatened with extinction,” said Dr Chris R. Shepherd, Deputy Regional Director of TRAFFIC in Southeast Asia.

“While some irresponsible consumers are knowingly sustaining this unlawful trade, the majority o others are inadvertently supporting it due to the lack of information and attention focused on the illegal wildlife business. Increased awareness and responsible purchasing is absolutely essential if threatened wildlife species are to survive into the future.”

In support of the WWF-TRAFFIC global wildlife trade campaign, the Singapore effort looks to raise public awareness around the issue of illegal wildlife trade. Beginning 25 October, members of the public will see outdoor advertisements at bus shelters located in the CBD area, Chinatown, Bugis, Holland Road and Bukit Timah, highlighting the severity of the illegal wildlife trade. The public can then view a short clip via the QR code to gain greater understanding of the illegal wildlife business.

“Through this campaign, WWF and TRAFFIC hope to shed light on Asia fuelling the demand that drives the brutal killing of important and endangered species. As we travel within Asia, especially to countries such as China, Thailand and Vietnam, where illegal wildlife products are in demand and readily available, we urge everyone not to purchase or consume these products. Any product that lists ingredients from the tiger and rhino is illegal,” said Ms Elaine Tan, CEO, WWF Singapore.

The public is encouraged to pledge not to buy products derived from illegally traded wildlife through WWF Singapore’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/wwfsg) and website (www.wwf.sg). Apart from products containing ingredients from the elephant, tiger and rhino, other products, such as those made from bear bile and pangolin scales, should also be avoided.

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Malaysia: Artifical Reefs Enrich Johor's Marine Heritage

Rohani Mohd Ibrahim Bernama 25 Oct 12;

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- A properly managed marine heritage and marine biodiversity that is well protected could help generate economic returns through tourism and fishing activities.

Based on the Marine Park Department's statistics, it is estimated that about 500,000 people visit Malaysia's marine parks annually.

Marine tourism activities could well provide additional income to locals and fishermen within marine parks.

The department is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the sustainability of marine biodiversity resources through regulation and enforcement, research, education and public awareness, habitat preservation, apart from keeping eco-tourism activities in check.

Currently, a total of 42 islands off the waters of Kedah, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and the Federal Territory of Labuan have been gazetted as marine parks.

MORE MARINE PARKS IN JOHOR

In the eastern waters of Johor, there are a total of 13 islands gazetted as marine parks; Pulau Harimau, Pulau Tengah, Pulau Mensirip, Pulau Goal, Pulau Tinggi, Pulau Besar, Pulau Hujung, Pulau Rawa, Pulau Mentinggi, Pulau Sibu, Pulau Sibu Hujung, Pulau Pemanggil and Pulau Aur.

Each island, including Pulau Besar that is located 42 nautical miles off Mersing, exudes its own profound uniqueness.

Pulau Besar, rich in green flora, is home to 25 families. The island boasts of a female village head, Rashidah Sulaiman, who took over the helm from her husband who passed away in 2010.

According to Rashidah, the island has three resorts and homestay programmes with the visitors' activities there centered on the marine park.

The beautiful white sandy beaches of the island, the placid atmosphere and the subtle sound of the waves provide the perfect atmosphere to relax.

Pulau Rawa that is located half an hour boat ride from Pulau Besar also draws visitors and it is surrounded by colourful reefs that is clearly visible through the crystal clear waters.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment recently took a group of media persons from Kuala Lumpur to witness the launch of Pulau Besar's Recreational Reef Project and to witness the beauty of Pulau Besar and Pulau Rawa marine parks.

CREATING RECREATIONAL REEFS IN PULAU BESAR

On Oct 12, 2012 a symbolic launch was held to anchor 200 units of square concrete reefs at the bottom of the sea. A total of 20 of these artificial reefs, measuring one foot by two feet each, are to be laid underwater in the shape of a big square.

These artificial reefs cost RM100,000 in total and are to be anchored 3.2 nautical miles from Pulau Besar, outside the marine park zone under the demarcation set by the department and the Johor National Park Corporation where fishing activities are allowed.

The recreational reef project is meant to help improve the economic standing of the Pulau Besar residents and those from nearby islands and lure visitors for fishing activities.

Mersing District Officer Mohd Nasir Ali Abdul Salam noted at the event that the artificial reefs would also help enhance fishery resources and in turn help improve the lives of the local communities.

"It is my hope to see that this effort will be emulated by other related government departments in Johor to collectively develop the islands and their communities.

"The recreational reef programme is a follow-up to the working visit by the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tan Sri Joseph Kurup to Pulau Tinggi in 2011," he said.

REEFS THAT SERVE AS MARINE HABITATS

Johor Marine Park department's director Mohd Nizam Ismail noted that the artificial reefs would serve as a habitat for fishes with commercial value and generate better income for the locals.

"Based on the department's earlier findings, it takes only a week for smaller fishes to take refuge under this reef. The bigger ones, including economically valuable varieties, take up to a month to make their way there.

"The reefs are a fundamental asset to marine life. Other than artificial structures, decommissioned boats too can be anchored onto the sea bed to enhance the marine heritage and to woo divers," he said.

Mohd Nizam added that the reefs would not only entice anglers but would also help fishermen improve their income with bigger catches.

On the progress of the recreational reef, Mohd Nizam explained that so far 50 per cent of the artificial reefs have been anchored to the bottom of the sea.

ENVIRONMENT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL

Mohd Nizam said that the need to preserve the reefs and marine life forms should be relayed to the society as caring for the environment is everyone's responsibility.

"It is hoped that when the significance of the reefs is appreciated, the community and private companies will show interest in sponsoring recreational projects in preserving and enriching the marine biodiversity heritage," he explained.

He added that the department needs the support of all parties for maintaining and preserving the Malaysian marine heritage for the future generation.

-- BERNAMA

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Support from Local Communities Needed to Protect Endangered Mekong Dolphins

WWF 23 Oct 12;

Kampi, Kratie town, Cambodia – Fishermen representing five Cambodian communities will publicly express their support for a ban on gillnet use in a ceremony highlighting the importance of the Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin.

The event organised by the Commission for Dolphin Conservation and Development of the Mekong River Dolphin Eco-tourism Zone, the fishing Administration and WWF is expected to attract government officials, NGO’s, monks and locals and will see Cambodian fisherman commit to the protection of the critically endangered dolphin, the ceremony will also celebrate the importance of the Mekong dolphin as a national treasure .

His Excellency Touch Seang Tana, Chairman of the Commission for Dolphin Conservation and Development of the Mekong River Dolphin Eco-Tourism Zone, says that the Government recognizes the urgent need to protect the remaining population from extinction.

“The dolphins in the Mekong are sacred to the people of Cambodia and are an important source of income for communities involved in dolphin-watching tourism. The Royal Government of Cambodia promotes poverty alleviation through conservation activities,” he said.

“Dear communities along the Mekong River, the Irrawaddy dolphin needs your support for its survival. Commit to protecting dolphins and do not use gillnets within their habitat,” he added.

The dolphin population in the Mekong River has been declining due to human activities in the last few decades especially due to modern fishing practices. Gillnets are particularly dangerous to dolphins and could cause the extinction of this species in the Mekong in the near future.

In an effort to save the Irrawaddy dolphin, the Cambodian government issued a sub-decree in September banning the use of gillnets within the dolphin’s habitat, a 180-km stretch of river between Kratie town and the Laos border.

Mr Meas Min, Chief of Koh Pdao Village, intends to inform people in his village about the ban on the use of gillnets in dolphin habitat and encourage good fishing practices outside the habitat to avoid accidental catching of dolphins.

“Villagers must be aware that using gillnets in the dolphin habitat is against the sub-decree and can cause serious danger to the remaining dolphins that we need to protect for the benefit of our future generations,” he said.

The Cambodian Rural Development Team in partnership with the Cambodian Government and WWF has implemented an alternative livelihoods programme to reduce the dependence of local communities on fishery resources, in favour of activities such as aquaculture, livestock-raising, vegetable growing and community based ecotourism.

“The Royal Cambodian Government has taken a big step toward conserving this species and this is a great opportunity for stakeholders all across the country to join together to save the Mekong River dolphin – the smiling face of the Mekong,” says Ms Michelle Owen, WWF’s Acting Country Director.

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