Videos of groups armed with buckets, nets and shovels combing Singapore\u2019s shores for marine animals have recently gone viral, sparking concern among nature groups.<\/p>\n
The activity, known in Chinese as \u201cgan hai\u201d (\u8d76\u6d77),\u00a0has surged in popularity on social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, where enthusiasts share videos of themselves foraging for seafood and other marine creatures along beaches at low tide.<\/p>\n
Also known as intertidal foraging, the practice may seem like a harmless seaside pastime, but conservationists warn it can disrupt fragile coastal ecosystems and harm marine life if done irresponsibly, particularly given Singapore\u2019s limited marine habitats.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what you need to know about the gan hai phenomenon \u2014 what it is, how it works and whether it is legal in Singapore.<\/p>\n
The viral trend involving people digging for seafood\u00a0<\/h2>\n
The trend has reached Singapore\u2019s shores, with a recent wave of viral videos drawing large crowds to the country\u2019s beaches.<\/p>\n
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A Facebook post shared on the Complaint Singapore<\/a> page on July 13 raised concerns about the growing practice after Douyin videos showed groups of people foraging for marine life in Singapore\u2019s intertidal areas.<\/p>\n The post included videos and photos showing a large group of people armed with buckets and nets foraging along Changi Beach<\/a>. At least seven buckets filled with marine creatures could be seen in the footage.<\/p>\n At least seven buckets filled with marine creatures could be seen in the footage.<\/p>\n PHOTO: COMPLAINT SINGAPORE\/FACEBOOK<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n They later brought their harvest to the Havelock Palace restaurant, where it was cooked and eaten.<\/p>\n The user said they were not opposed to coastal foraging itself, but were concerned about the \u201cfrequency of their visits and the volume of marine wildlife they harvest during each trip.\u201d<\/p>\n They added that they were particularly concerned by the number of fan clams being harvested, noting that the species is listed as vulnerable on Singapore\u2019s Red List of threatened animals.<\/p>\n Citing the Douyin videos, the user said the group appeared to have harvested at least 30 fan clams before later \u201c(celebrating) their catch\u201d at the restaurant.<\/p>\n \u201cSingapore\u2019s natural resources are limited. Whether local or foreign, everyone should respect our environment and practise responsible foraging. Take only what you need, and leave enough for nature to recover,\u201d they wrote.<\/p>\n In another Facebook post shared by science page Just Keep Thinking on July 26, environmental content creator Biogirl MJ also spoke up about people \u201coverharvesting\u201d marine life along Singapore\u2019s shores<\/a>.<\/p>\n She said the issue was not limited to one restaurant, but reflected a \u201cmuch bigger problem\u201d about the mindset and intention towards foraging.\u00a0<\/p>\n Unlike traditional foraging communities such as the indigenous<\/a> Orang Laut, who have harvested sustainably for generations, she said many of those taking part in the viral trend appeared to be doing it \u201cpurely for entertainment\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cResponsible local foragers<\/a> understand that if you want nature to provide for you tomorrow, you cannot take everything today,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n She also stressed that Singapore is a small island with limited coastlines and marine habitats, warning that treating its shores like an \u201call-you-can-eat buffet\u201d could quickly deplete marine life.<\/p>\n The trend has also drawn large crowds to Sembawang Jetty<\/a> as well, according to Lianhe Zaobao.<\/p>\n \u201cGan hai\u201d, which directly translates to \u201cchasing the sea\u201d refers to the practice of venturing onto beaches or mudflats during low tide to search for seafood<\/a> and marine creatures.<\/p>\n Participants typically look for shellfish such as clams, cockles and crabs, as well as other edible marine life hidden beneath the sand or among the rocks.<\/p>\n The activity is timed around the tides, as large stretches of the seabed become exposed for a few hours when the ride recedes.<\/p>\n Gan hai is originally a traditional form of coastal foraging that has been around for centuries in China\u2019s coastal provinces \u2014 and is a practical way for coastal communities to gather food during low tide.<\/p>\n In recent years, however, it has evolved into a leisure activity fuelled by social media. On platforms such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu, creators post videos showcasing their catches.<\/p>\n The trend has since spread beyond China, with enthusiasts in countries including Singapore trying it for themselves.<\/p>\n Whether gan hai is legal in Singapore depends on where the activity takes place.<\/p>\n According to the National Parks Board (NParks), there are certain etiquette members of the public must observe<\/a> when visiting intertidal zones.\u00a0<\/p>\n Members of the public are advised not to touch, trample on or collect wildlife.<\/p>\n Responding to Stomp\u2019s queries, NParks<\/a> said the collection of animals from intertidal zones under the agency\u2019s jurisdiction is restricted.<\/p>\n These intertidal zones include:<\/p>\n The Changi intertidal area is one of the few that are beyond NParks\u2019 jurisdiction.<\/p>\n Dr Karenne Tun, group director of the National Biodiversity Centre at NParks, said efforts are focused on public education through online advisories, physical signs and increased patrols for such intertidal areas.<\/p>\n Acknowledging that the agency was aware of the Facebook post, Dr Tun urged the public to help protect Singapore\u2019s intertidal biodiversity, noting that these habitats are \u201cfragile and critical\u201d to the health of the marine ecosystem.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe removal of wildlife from their habitats, including intertidal zones, harms our biodiversity and disrupts our ecosystems. Each species plays a unique role in its ecosystem and their removal can have far-reaching consequences on ecosystem services such as pollination, seed dispersal and nutrient cycling,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Dr Tun added that removing wildlife from their natural habitats can weaken the ecological resilience of Singapore\u2019s coastal ecosystems and further threaten populations of already vulnerable species.\u00a0<\/p>\n The issue of intertidal foraging is not new. In 2021, social media posts showed families poking and digging up marine creatures such as sea anemones, crabs and jellyfish before placing them in buckets.<\/p>\n Following an influx of visitors to Changi Beach<\/a> during low tide, NParks stepped up patrols and public education efforts, raising awareness about the harmful effects of touching, collecting or trampling on marine wildlife in their natural habitats.<\/p>\n Have something to say? 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What is the \u2018gan hai\u2019 phenomenon?<\/h2>\n
Is gan hai legal in Singapore?<\/h2>\n
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Important not to remove wildlife from their natural habitats: NParks<\/h2>\n
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