\n<\/p>\n
Community groups interviewed said they hoped to be involved in formulating plans to develop the island cluster.<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Stephen Beng, immediate past chairperson of the Friends of Marine Park group, called for stakeholders and domain experts to be included further upstream in the planning process.<\/span><\/p>\n “Our southern waters are not merely space to be allocated,” said Mr Beng, calling them strategic assets and a legacy responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n CNA understands that Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan met with members of the group on Monday to discuss their concerns.<\/p>\n On the plans for Sentosa, Dr Lim said Tanjong Rimau – located at the island\u2019s westernmost tip – remains one of its relatively less disturbed coastal habitats. It still supports notable intertidal and marine biodiversity, even as Sentosa is widely associated with mass tourism and heavy development, he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In a highly urbanised coastline like Singapore’s, sites like Tanjong Rimau help connect marine organisms across fragmented habitats, said Dr Lim.<\/span><\/p>\n He called for comprehensive assessments across all the affected areas before works proceed, including baseline biodiversity surveys, hydrodynamic modelling, impact assessments and long-term monitoring.<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Kong said she hopes that any plans being studied would carefully consider the ecological significance of all affected areas across the various islands.<\/span><\/p>\n “We have submitted questions to the relevant agencies on the reclamation footprint, timing of environmental studies, whether ecological findings could influence the design, and whether there will be opportunities for expert and public input,” added Ms Kong.<\/span><\/p>\n Over the years, the authorities have made efforts to preserve marine biodiversity as the offshore islands are gradually developed for the country’s future needs.<\/span><\/p>\n For example,\u00a0from September 2014 to January 2015, over 700 coral colonies and other species such as giant clams were relocated from Pulau Semakau to the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, as part of a move to convert a lagoon into a new landfill cell to meet Singapore’s future waste disposal needs.<\/span><\/p>\n In July 2015, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and volunteers from various environmental interest groups also relocated 2,300 hard coral colonies from Sultan Shoal to St John’s and Sisters’ Islands, to protect them from the impact of the Tuas Terminal development.<\/span><\/p>\n Local diving operators told CNA that the island cluster is one of the few places in Singapore where divers can experience thriving marine biodiversity in the wild without travelling overseas.<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Martin Benedict, owner of local diving firm Marlin Divers, pointed out that Pulau Hantu is the only site in Singapore safe for regular diving, as its location shields divers from strong currents, making it suitable for beginners.<\/span><\/p>\n Its proximity to the mainland also makes it convenient for a day trip, he said. Around 50 divers visit the popular site every weekend day, he added.<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Serene Pek, co-owner of Cuddlefish Divers, said Pulau Hantu is often regarded as “the heart of Singapore’s recreational diving scene”.<\/span><\/p>\n “Despite being located within one of the world’s busiest ports, the waters around Pulau Hantu support diverse marine life, such as seahorses, nudibranchs, octopuses, cuttlefish, reef fish, stingrays, sharks and so many more,” she said.<\/span><\/p>\n It is not the only dive site in Singapore, but by far the most popular, she added.<\/span><\/p>\n Ms Pek said her firm is concerned about the potential impact of the island cluster’s development on the local diving industry and Singapore’s marine ecosystem.<\/span><\/p>\n “We started our business with local operations since day one \u2026 It’s been our bread and butter,” she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cuddlefish Divers has been operating for eight years. It organises local dive trips every weekend, with a total of four trips each accommodating up to 15 divers.<\/span><\/p>\n With full details and environmental assessments yet to be released, Ms Pek said reclamation activities could nonetheless affect water quality, underwater visibility, sedimentation patterns and marine habitats.<\/span><\/p>\n “If environmental conditions deteriorate or access becomes restricted, it may reduce the attractiveness and viability of local diving activities,” she said.<\/span><\/p>\n For now, her firm is awaiting further details about the reclamation plans and hopes to engage with the relevant stakeholders and agencies.<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Benedict said the development announced on Sunday would affect his company and he would lose “quite a lot of business”, especially since he operates only locally.<\/span><\/p>\n He may also consider pivoting to run dive trips overseas, though that would bring its own logistical headaches, he said.<\/span><\/p>\nCONCERNS OF LOCAL DIVING COMMUNITY<\/h2>\n