About a quarter of Singapore's sea-based fish farms have exited the industry over the past year, with some farm operators saying they had accepted a financial support package from the authorities to wind up operations.
Singapore Food Agency (SFA) figures showed that there were 74 sea-based fish farms in October 2024, down from 98 in 2023, according to its food statistics report. Between 2019 and 2022, the number of sea-based fish farms held steady at about 110.
At least five fish farm operators that The Sunday Times spoke to said they were offered a support package from SFA to ease the financial burden of winding up their operations.
Farmers said they had a yearbetween July 2023 and June 2024 -to take up the package to help them reinstate the sea space their farms occupied.
ST has asked SFA how many farmers accepted this package, which amounted to up to $100,000.
The support package comes as sea-based fish farms in Singapore are being transitioned to a new sea space management model by the SFA, which the agency announced in 2022.
Farms will have to pay for the use of sea spaces under the new scheme, which took effect in 2024. They did not have to previously.
For fish farm operators, this means that the cost of maintaining a farm is expected to increase, with farms set to pay $3,600 per year to use half a hectare of sea space from 2026, in addition to a $145 annual farm licence fee.
Farmers are currently paying 20 per cent of the $3,600 fee in 2024, and will pay 50 per cent in 2025, to mitigate the impact of the increase.
This story is from the October 27, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 27, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Japan's True Blue Tradition
Call it an antidote to fast fashion. Japanese jeans hand-dyed with natural indigo and weaved on a clackety vintage loom, then sold at a premium to global denim connoisseurs.
6 easy dishes to pack for lunch
Nutritionists and food content creators suggest these healthy and convenient recipes
Don't cross Culinary Class Wars star Anh Sung-jae of three-Michelin-starred Mosu
On an early episode of Netflix's hit reality cooking show Culinary Class Wars (2024), chef Anh Sung-jae stood in a warehouse filled with makeshift cooking stations and considered the plate in front of him: a rainbow palette of handmade pastas, purees and delicately cooked seafood. On top was a smattering of flower petals.
Emerald Hill to make Netflix debut
Emerald Hill looks set to be the must-watch local blockbuster series of 2025.
Refreshed museums in SG60 arts
A timely slate of refreshed spaces and new programmes at Singapore's arts and cultural institutions will be launched in 2025, wooing audiences with a different Singapore story as the nation gears up to mark 60 years of independence.
Going casual to woo fickle diners
Serious artwork on the wall. Bespoke crockery on cloth-covered tables. A fine wine list. Eye-watering menu prices. Just don't call it a fine-dining restaurant.
Smartwatches Make Healthcare Smarter
From tracking heart rate to steps taken to sleep quality, smartwatches and fitness trackers can generate biometric data about the people using them.
Quality, not quantity, rules the superhero game
In 2025, the big studios are rolling up their sleeves to tackle a disease plaguing the box office – superhero fatigue.
Big-name musicals to hit the stage
Soothing melodies and soaring high notes are set to fill the air, as the coming year brings along a host of musicals to the Lion City.
Celebrating design with SG60, new hotels and theme parks
Architecture and urban design take centre stage in 2025, with marquee events such as a year-long celebration of Singapore's 60th year of independence (SG60) and launches of Sentosa attractions to enhance the destination's \"islander allure\".
