Joint effort needed to fight climate change: Masagos

Minister suggests three new focus areas to combat challenges
Cheryl Teh Straits Times 3 May 19;

Dealing with the impacts of climate change and fundamentally transforming the way we produce and consume is an urgent global issue that calls for collective and integrated action, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli said yesterday.

This strong global and regional effort must come from all segments of society, he said.

"The world is at a critical turning point. We must adopt a more integrated approach to the way we develop our economy, cooperate with other countries in the region and globally, and work together in a society to build a sustainable and enduring home for all. Only then can we safeguard our planet for future generations," he added.

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Singapore at ‘moderate risk’ of severe haze in 2019: Report

NAVENE ELANGOVAN Today Online 2 May 19;

SINGAPORE — There is a "moderate risk" that Singapore will see a severe haze this year, similar to the one last seen in 2015.

The forecast is based on an inaugural haze outlook report by the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA).

The think-tank launched the Haze Outlook for Southern Asean Summary Report on Thursday (May 2) at the 6th Singapore Dialogue on Sustainable World Resources Conference, held at the Fullerton Hotel Singapore.

The full report will be available on SIIA’s website later this month.

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Brunei, Singapore enter agreement to set up state-of-the-art sea bass hatchery

Azlan Othman Borneo Bulletin 3 May 19;

BRUNEI Darussalam and Singapore signed a multi-million dollar contract to set up a world class hatchery and nursery for the production of juvenile barramundi (Asian sea bass) in the country for supply to offshore fish cages yesterday.

Two agreements were signed by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism with Barramundi Asia (B) Sdn Bhd as part of the contract: the Sea Licence Agreement and Land Lease Agreement.

Member of the Board of Directors of Barramundi Asia Andrew Kwan pointed out that sea bass is a well-loved fish in Southeast Asia, and there is a natural demand for the fish.

“As the global population grows rapidly from seven to nine billion, between now and 2030, we found out that (the need for) good animal protein will also be there. Sea bass is primarily for the Southeast Asian market,” he said.

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Malaysia: Harsher punishment under new environmental law - Minister

New Straits Times New Straits Times 3 May 19;

KUALA LUMPUR: The government aims to replace the Environmental Quality Act 1974 with a new act, which would see greater enforcement powers and stiffer punishments meted out to those who pollute the environment.

Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the new law would focus on boosting enforcement and legislative powers, given that current laws were insufficient to tackle environmental issues.

She said the bill was being drafted and once completed, could resolve environmental pollution issues, such as that in Sungai Kim Kim, Pasir Gudang, Johor, by providing heftier punishments.

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Indonesia sees drop in hotspots due to peatland restoration efforts, says agency

Vanessa Lim Channel NewsAsia 2 May 19;

SINGAPORE: The number of hotspots in restored peatlands in Indonesia has dropped by nearly 93 per cent since 2015, on the back of restoration efforts.

The figure was revealed on Thursday (May 2) by the head of Indonesia's peatland restoration agency Nazir Foead, on the sidelines of the 6th Singapore Dialogue on Sustainable World Resources.

Indonesia in 2016 launched an initiative to restore peatlands as part of efforts to tackle forest fires that sparked one of the region's worst haze crisis the year before.

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Indonesia: South Sumatra forest fire task force identifies five fire-prone areas

Antara 2 May 19;

Palembang (ANTARA) - The South Sumatra Forest and Land Fire Task Force has identified five fire-prone areas, the districts of Ogan Ilir, Ogan Komering Ilir, Musi Banyuasin, Muara Enim, and Banyuasin.

In Palembang on Thursday, commander of the South Sumatra Forest and Land Fire Task Force Task Force, Col. Arh Sonny Septiono, said that the five regions were their priorities because they had extensive peatlands.

"Basically, we are looking at all regions, but of course we will prioritize certain areas, given the limitations of existing personnel and equipment," said Colonel Arh Sonny Septiono.

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Indonesia: Five giant leatherbacks lay clutches of eggs in Raja Ampat

Antara 1 May 19;

Waisai (ANTARA) - Five giant leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) had reportedly laid clutches of eggs in Yenbekaki Village in Raja Ampat District, West Papua Province, in April 2019.

Yenbekaki Conservationist Group Chairman Yusuf Mayor remarked here on Wednesday that Warebar Beach in Yenbekaki Village has become the preferred spot for leatherback turtles to lay their clutches of eggs during the year.

Mayor confirmed that five leatherback turtles had surfaced, prepared their nesting sites, and laid their clutches of eggs at Warebar Beach in April this year, with their nests presently reach five.

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Best of our wild blogs: 1 May 19

Join NParks to patrol Singapore shores for sea turtles and more!
Celebrating Singapore Shores!

Singapore Bird Report – March 2019
Singapore Bird Group

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Thousands of fish dead near Lim Chu Kang jetty: Warmer temperatures suspected as cause

Vanessa Liu Straits Times 1 May 19;

SINGAPORE - The warmer weather in recent days may have caused thousands of fish to die in waters near Lim Chu Kang jetty and in nearby fish farms.

The fish started surfacing in the sea about two or three days ago, said Mr Simon Ho, communications officer at the Singapore's Fish Farmers Association.

"Because of the higher temperatures these few days, there's a lack of oxygen in the water. I believe the fishes died as a result," he noted.

He added that fish farmers in the area sent motorboats out to remove and dispose of the dead fish.

About four or five farms are said to have been affected with each reporting a loss of about one to two tonnes of fish on average - estimated to be worth from $3,000 to $4,000.

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Malaysia: We are coming for you, Xavier tells poachers as minimum penalty set to be increased

mei mei chu The Star 30 Apr 19;

DENGKIL: The amendment to the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 will increase the minimum penalty for poachers to a RM1mil fine and five years in jail, says Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

He said the Act was expected to be tabled in December and added that he hoped it would send a strong message to poachers that Malaysia would not tolerate the illegal wildlife trade.

“The message we want to send is we are in the forest, we are coming for you, and we will catch you,” said Jayakumar at the launch of Ops Belang at the Paya Indah Wetlands here Tuesday (April 30).

Jayakumar said it was worrying that there were only 200 tigers left in Malaysia, adding that if drastic action was not taken immediately, Malaysia might lose the iconic animal forever.

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Malaysia transit point for smuggling illegal ivory, rhino horns

Nur Aqidah Azizi New Straits Times 30 Apr 19;

SEREMBAN: Malaysia is being used as an illegal transit point to smuggle ivory and other animal parts before they are exported to other countries, said the Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar.

He said these animal parts were exported to countries such as China, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

He said a task force which included authorities from the ministry, Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and Customs Department had been set up to monitor such activity in the country.

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Indonesia: Ministry investigators arrest three for illegal ivory trade online

Kharishar Kahfi The Jakarta Post 30 Apr 19;

Investigators from the Environment and Forestry Ministry have arrested three individuals on suspicion of illegal online trading in ivory and other products made from elephants and other endangered animals.

The three suspects, identified by their initials OF, 38, CK, 44, and MHF, 31, were arrested on Sunday at three separate locations in Pati, Central Java.

The trio allegedly sold jewelry and other accessories like cigarette holders through three separate Facebook accounts.

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