The National Parks Board (NParks) has unveiled the 100k Corals Initiative, an ambitious 10-year project aimed at planting 100,000 corals in Singapore’s waters.
SINGAPORE – In a groundbreaking move to restore and safeguard its marine ecosystems, the National Parks Board (NParks) has unveiled the 100k Corals Initiative, an ambitious 10-year project aimed at planting 100,000 corals in Singapore’s waters. The effort, the most extensive coral restoration program in the country’s history, leverages cutting-edge technology, innovative research, and broad public-private collaboration to combat the challenges posed by climate change and habitat degradation.
RELEVANT SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Reviving Singapore’s Coral Reefs
Corals, vital to marine biodiversity and natural coastal defenses, face existential threats from climate change, overfishing, and pollution. As part of the 100k Corals Initiative, NParks will establish a new coral culture facility at the Marine Park Outreach and Education Centre on St John’s Island. Here, coral fragments known as “nubbins” will be cultivated under controlled conditions using smart aquaculture systems.
The cultivated corals will later be transplanted to degraded reefs or new sites to form vibrant coral communities. Species like the Staghorn Coral and Plate Acropora Coral, which are part of NParks’ Species Recovery Programme, will play a central role in the restoration efforts.
“This initiative will substantially improve the resilience of local coral communities and reefs, helping to safeguard our natural heritage,” said Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration, during the launch event.
The Role of Technology and Research
The program integrates advanced technology into coral cultivation, developed through the NParks-Delta Corals Research Programme in collaboration with Delta Electronics.
- Smart Aquaculture Systems: Tanks equipped with real-time monitoring tools will regulate water quality, temperature, and flow. These systems detect abnormalities, such as rising temperatures, and automatically alert researchers to mitigate potential damage, like coral bleaching.
- Sustainable Solutions: Researchers from the National University of Singapore at the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML) will conduct further studies to enhance coral survival and resilience.
The project also focuses on building community capacity. Through citizen science programs and volunteer training, locals will assist with coral husbandry and underwater monitoring.
The initiative has garnered support from various donors, including Delta Electronics, GSK-EDB Trust Fund, Deutsche Bank, Takashimaya Singapore, and KPI OceanConnect. Over S$2 million has been raised to date through the Garden City Fund.
Dr. Jane Goodall, world-renowned zoologist and conservationist, lent her voice to the initiative during its launch, emphasizing the global urgency of marine conservation.
The 100k Corals Initiative expands on Singapore’s existing marine conservation strategies. Efforts such as monitoring coral bleaching events, enhancing the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, and deploying reef enhancement units have laid the foundation for this ambitious program.
“While much has been done to monitor and restore our corals, we can do much more to ensure the long-term survival of our reefs,” Minister Desmond Lee noted.
Corals: The Foundation of Marine Ecosystems
Corals reefs are critical to marine biodiversity, with approximately one-quarter of marine species depending on them for survival. Beyond ecological importance, reefs act as natural barriers against shoreline erosion, offering protection from rising sea levels and storm surges.
“Restoring coral reefs is not just about protecting marine life,” said NParks in a statement. “It’s about securing a sustainable, high-quality living environment for our City in Nature.”
The success of the 100k Corals Initiative relies on community involvement. Interested individuals and organizations can donate to the project through the Garden City Fund at go.gov.sg/donate100kcorals or email [email protected] for more information.
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