Measures to Reduce Negative Impact on Intertidal Habitats Like Changi Beach due to Increased Human Traffic

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether visitation numbers to Changi Beach have increased in the past two years and, if so, by how much; (b) what is the impact of such an increase on marine life in the intertidal zone; (c) what are the measures implemented by NParks to curb the increase in human traffic and destructive human activity to marine wildlife; and (d) whether there are plans to extend the Parks and Trees Act to the intertidal areas of beaches in Singapore to deter destruction of marine life.

Mr Speaker, Sir, Mr Yip Hon Weng and Mr Leon Perera have asked about the management of marine wildlife at intertidal areas, such as Changi Beach. Mr Leon Perera1 has also asked about enforcement efforts against marine poaching, for a subsequent Sitting. I will address Members' questions together.

Over the last two years, we have observed a general increase in the number of visitors to our beaches, including Changi Beach. There has also been an increase in visitors to the intertidal zone, especially during low tides. Most of the visitors are families that come in small groups to explore the area, during public or school holidays.

We are committed to protecting the biodiversity of our coastal and marine ecosystems, including our intertidal zones. To assess the health of these ecosystems, NParks conducts long-term habitat monitoring in collaboration with academics and volunteers. Recent data indicates that our marine biodiversity is generally in good condition, with little change in the composition of the marine ecosystem within key habitats since 2016.

Our native wildlife species, including threatened marine species such as sea turtles and stony corals, are also protected under the Wildlife Act. For example, individuals who are found guilty of trapping or selling protected wildlife species without approval may be subject to a fine of up to $50,000, or to an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both. Over the past five years, there have been no cases prosecuted for the poaching of marine wildlife under the Wildlife Act or its predecessor, the Wild Animals and Birds Act. We will continue to review our measures to safeguard our marine species and will take enforcement action where necessary.

Since 2021, with the increase in visitorship to these areas, we have also stepped up outreach efforts at various intertidal areas to raise public awareness on protecting marine wildlife. For example, NParks has deployed more officers and galvanised many volunteers to remind visitors to refrain from touching, trampling and collecting marine wildlife. Most visitors are cooperative and return the marine wildlife when advised to do so. In addition, we have put up more signs around the intertidal areas, to educate visitors on how to interact responsibly with marine wildlife. NParks will continue to step up these efforts.

We are discussing with our partners, such as the marine conservation community, volunteers, businesses and the local community, on ways to manage the number of visitors at intertidal areas, in a way that supports nature conservation while keeping these spaces open for public recreation. For example, last weekend, we held a workshop with various partners to discuss how we can work together to educate visitors on Singapore's rich marine biodiversity and to better manage our intertidal sites. We are also assessing the possibility of strengthening protection for marine organisms under the Wildlife Act.

As we transform into a City in Nature, all of us have a part to play in protecting and caring for our rich biodiversity, so that our future generations can continue to enjoy our natural heritage.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for his response. I have a few supplementary questions. Will the Ministry consider publicising where are these areas so that public are aware that these are eco-sensitive areas? And two, will the Ministry consider working with schools to better educate children on such eco-sensitive areas?

Yes, we will consider both measures. On the former, publicising these areas, the media have been giving coverage to the sites that have been impacted. The low tide days and times are also well-known, publicly available information, and hence, you see the crowd converging on these sites when we reach those seasons.

For schools, we continue to work with our schools through our programmes to work with young people to better understand how to relate to wildlife, including in our marine habitats.