Singapore’s Ambitious Coral Restoration Effort: Planting 100,000 Corals in the Next Decade
Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks) has launched the 100k Corals Initiative, a comprehensive coral restoration program aimed at planting 100,000 corals in Singapore’s waters over the next decade and beyond. This ambitious effort marks the island state’s most extensive coral restoration program to date.
The Initiative
The 100k Corals Initiative is led by NParks and has received over S$2 million in support through the Garden City Fund. The program is being implemented in collaboration with the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML). The corals will be cultivated at a new coral culture facility at NParks’ Marine Park Outreach and Education Centre on St John’s Island, and subsequently transplanted into the marine environment to restore degraded reefs or establish new coral communities.
Scaling Up Coral Restoration Efforts
Given Singapore’s limited coral cover, the program will also scale up NParks’ existing coral restoration efforts to substantially improve the resilience of local coral communities and reefs. This will involve the cultivation of corals at the new coral culture facility, which will house six tanks that can rear up to 600 coral nubbins each. Coral restoration experts and researchers from the National University of Singapore at SJINML will be responsible for the cultivation of corals.
Integrating Smart Technology
To support the initiative, the NParks-Delta Corals Research Programme has been established. This collaborative project between NParks and Delta Electronics, a global provider of power and thermal management solutions, integrates smart technology into coral cultivation efforts. As part of the two-year research program, NParks will utilize Delta’s expertise in industrial and building automation to optimize large-scale coral cultivation at the coral culture facility.
New Coral Culture Facility
Under the 100k Corals Initiative, NParks is setting up a new coral culture facility at the Marine Park Outreach and Education Centre on St John’s Island. The facility is expected to become fully operational and open to the public in the second quarter of next year.
Conclusion
The 100k Corals Initiative is a significant step towards preserving Singapore’s marine biodiversity and promoting sustainable coastal management. By integrating smart technology and scaling up coral restoration efforts, NParks aims to make a positive impact on the island state’s coral communities and reefs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the goal of the 100k Corals Initiative?
A: The goal is to plant 100,000 corals in Singapore’s waters over the next decade and beyond.
Q: Who is leading the initiative?
A: The initiative is led by Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks).
Q: What is the scope of the initiative?
A: The initiative involves the cultivation of corals at a new coral culture facility and subsequent transplantation into the marine environment to restore degraded reefs or establish new coral communities.
Q: What is the timeline for the initiative?
A: The initiative is expected to become fully operational and open to the public in the second quarter of next year.
Q: What is the budget for the initiative?
A: The initiative has received over S$2 million in support through the Garden City Fund.