What happened to Dugongs in Singapore?

February 21, 2018 - Scubareefing

Singapore is at risk of losing sea grass due to overdevelopment of its coast through land reclamation and heavy port activities. The combination of excessive sedimentation through land reclamation and maritime activities stir up silt which block out vital sunlight required by sea grass to thrive. Without generous sea meadows to feed on, Dugongs will remain a relatively rare sight. If we are to be stewards of the Earth, the current model of economic development needs to take a back seat in order for marine life to thrive once more.

According to The Straits Times "The largest continuous stretches of seagrass meadows are found at Chek Jawa in the north, and Pulau Semakau and Cyrene Reef in the south."

Dugongs have been sighted at Chek Jawa in Palau Ubin :

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/gardens-parks-and-nature/parks-and-nature-reserves/pulau-ubin-and-chek-jawa

Community Action - Get Yourself Educated

Checkout Team Seagrass for more opportunities to learn more and participate in Seagrass conservation in Singapore :

http://teamseagrass.blogspot.sg

Seagrass in the Spotlight :

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/20/plantwatch-seagrass-meadows-are-vital-but-in-serious-decline

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-38926593

Learn more about seagrasses :

http://www.projectseagrass.org

http://www.seagrasswatch.org/Singapore.html

Ideas & Inspiration :

https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/want-clean-water-plant-a-lot-of-seagrass

Key People :

Dr. Siti Maryam Yaakub

Dr. Chou Loke Ming

More resources :

http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1516_2009-05-05.html