New coral culture facility at St John’s Island to aid reef restoration and biodiversity enhancement.
Singapore – In a bold step to protect marine biodiversity, Singapore launched its most ambitious coral restoration project on 10 December, committing to plant 100,000 corals over the next decade. The initiative, named the 100k Corals Initiative, aims to restore degraded reefs and foster new coral communities across Singapore’s waters.
Announced during the 5th Asia-Pacific Coral Reef Symposium by Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, the initiative builds on ongoing efforts to strengthen the resilience of coral ecosystems. A key feature of the plan is the establishment of a coral culture facility at St John’s Island, set to open to the public by mid-2025.
Facility and Restoration Process
The coral cultivation facility, part of the Marine Park Outreach and Education Centre, will rear coral fragments—called nubbins—under controlled conditions. These nubbins will be grown in specially designed tanks and later transplanted into natural habitats to restore damaged reefs or create new coral communities.
Coral species such as Staghorn and Plate Acropora, which are part of NParks’ Species Recovery Programme, will be prioritised. The facility includes six tanks equipped with a smart monitoring system developed by Delta Electronics, ensuring optimal water conditions and enabling remote oversight.
Threats to Coral Ecosystems
During the launch, Minister Lee highlighted the growing threats to coral reefs posed by climate change and human activities, including more frequent coral bleaching events. Singapore’s conservation efforts include enhanced monitoring, reef restoration at the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, and deploying reef enhancement units to encourage coral growth.
“While significant strides have been made, there is still much to do to secure the survival of our reefs in the long term,” said Mr Lee.
Renowned zoologist Dr Jane Goodall also attended the launch, sharing insights on marine conservation and the global need for biodiversity protection.
Community Engagement and Research
The initiative incorporates a citizen science programme, where volunteers will assist in coral husbandry and underwater monitoring. This complements broader research efforts to develop a nationwide coral reef restoration strategy.
NParks has garnered over S$2 million in donations for the project, supported by organisations such as Delta Electronics, Deutsche Bank, and Takashimaya Singapore.
Long-Term Goals
Beyond increasing coral cover and diversity, the project contributes to NParks’ Marine Conservation Action Plan, which outlines strategies to restore Singapore’s coastal and marine habitats.
Minister Lee expressed gratitude to donors and called for collective efforts to safeguard marine ecosystems: “Together, let’s preserve our coral reefs for current and future generations.”
