Action plan to protect and restore coastal habitats in the works

Recent consultation exercise saw some suggestions given, says Desmond Lee

- Lee Li Ying

An action plan to protect and restore coastal habitats from the effects of the oil spill is being worked out by government agencies and the community, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee said on June 24.

A few suggestions for what this plan could look like were raised during a consultation session held on June 21 with members of nature and community groups and institutions of higher learning, he said.

Mr Lee and Mr Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment, and Transport, attended the session, which aimed to tap the participants’ specialist skills and experience to manage the oil spill’s impact.

Suggestions raised included strengthening wildlife rescue and recovery processes, carrying out impact assessment and habitat surveys to monitor the effects on wildlife and biodiversity, and conducting scientific research to understand the longer-term impact of oil spills on biodiversity.

“Together, we are developing an action plan to protect and restore coastal habitats over the next six months and beyond,” Mr Lee added.

He was speaking at a joint ministerial press conference held at the National Press Centre on June 24.

The press conference marks the 11th day since the Netherlands-flagged dredging boat Vox Maxima hit the stationary Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour at Pasir Panjang Terminal on June 14. The incident resulted in a 400-tonne oil spill that has since tarred the beaches of Singapore and Malaysia.

Following the oil spill, several government agencies – including the Maritime and Port Authority, National Environment Agency, National Parks Board (NParks) and Sentosa Development Corporation – came together for cleanup operations.