NUS Toddycats suspended all group activities by 2nd May 2021, and on 11 May 2021, NParks advised for a halt to volunteer coastal clean up activities. NEA’s Public Hygiene Council has updated their webpage likewise, suspending applications by organised groups (and the use of Cleanpods).
Singapore announced Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) on 14th May 2021, to dampen emerging community cases due to more infectious variants of the virus. This suspension thus extends to 13 Jun 2021, when there will be further updates.
And the mantra for the moment is to stay at home, so sit tight for the moment, everyone!
2,055 styrofoam pieces! Working in pairs with social distancing practiced within and between pairs, a small group of volunteers spent a large chunk of the allocated 1 hour on a Sunday afternoon picking up these glaringly white and ubiquitous pieces at the mouth of Sg. Loyang. In total, 3,440 pieces of marine debris were bagged into 19 bags with a combined weight of 76.3kgs.
Pieces of Styrofoam and other plastic pieces at Sg. Loyang mangrove
Consistent with previous years ICCS Data, Styrofoam pieces had the highest count. Other items in the top 10 were also predominantly made of materials derived from fossil fuels (i.e. plastic).
Top 10 Items collected and pictures of plastic trash collected by ICCS volunteers
41 fishing gear related debris were amongst the items collected. Some of the drift nets had trapped animals. Volunteers released a ghost crab but were too late to save 2 mangrove horseshoe crabs- having been trapped in the nets too long thus being unable to find food or eventually drying out.
1st two pics – volunteer freeing and releasing a ghost crab; 3rd Pic – dead horseshoe crab
Importance of Healthy Mangroves
Sg. Loyang Mangrove is located at the East end of Pasir Ris Park. It houses a variety of flora and fauna, and according to WildSingapore it is also home to the Bakau Mata Buaya, a “Critically Endangered” mangrove tree. Marine debris tends to get trapped in the mangrove roots, leading to potential smothering of said roots and consequently impacting the health of the mangroves and the marine biodiversity that relies on it. This is why clean-ups are important to support a healthy mangrove.
How to conduct a cleanup?
While covid-19 prevented our annual island wide cleanup to celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day on every 3rd Saturday of Sep in 2020, it hasn’t stopped beach cleanups, albeit in smaller groups of 5, to happen altogether. The public can join organized small group clean-ups through Little Green Men , Ocean Purpose Project , EastCoastBeachPlan or organize your own using the tools from Cleanpods. You can even conduct your own cleanup at Lazarus island with discounts on your next ferry ride! Do remember to check the ICCS Facebook page for prevailing guidelines, given the long-term nature of this pandemic.
The ICCS page has resources which you may find useful for organizing your own cleanups. And if you have data, you may share that on Ocean Conservancy’s CleanSwell App.
Volunteers with the collected trash
Thanks to NEA PHC and NParks for liasing with us to ensure the continued protection of our mangroves.
News from the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore 