Proposal to Designate Areas around Southern Islands as Protected Zones

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many visitors have been to our Southern Islands between June 2020 and June 2021; (b) whether the Government will consider designating specific sea spaces around the Southern Islands as protected areas for purposes such as environmental conservation and education, scientific research and protection of our marine biodiversity and ecosystems, and recreational use; and (c) whether the Government sees a need to issue guidelines for public education on the same.

Between June 2020 and June 2021, a monthly average of about 17,000 people visited St John's Island, which is also land-linked to Seringat Island, Lazarus Island and Kias Island. This is an increase from a monthly average of about 6,800 visitors in 2019.

Agencies such as NParks and SLA have taken steps to protect our marine biodiversity and ecosystems, even as more visitors explore the Southern Islands. For example, in 2014, NParks designated the Sisters’ Islands Marine Park as a marine protected area due to the rich marine biodiversity in its waters. Within the Marine Park, some conservation and research sites are not open to the public and can only be accessed by authorised individuals for scientific research, habitat restoration and species recovery activities. NParks also has plans to develop a floating boardwalk at the Marine Park, to allow visitors to observe marine life up-close without disturbing them. NParks, in consultation with the marine community, will continue to assess the need to designate other areas around the Southern Islands as marine parks for the purposes of biodiversity conservation or scientific research, while allowing visitors to enjoy our natural spaces.

NParks works with stakeholders, including the Friends of Marine Park, to organise public education and outreach programmes on marine conservation, such as seminars, workshops, guided nature walks and citizen science activities. NParks also deploys officers and installs signs around the intertidal and subtidal areas to educate visitors on how to interact responsibly with marine wildlife. NParks will continue to work with stakeholders to step up public outreach and education efforts to raise awareness about protecting our marine biodiversity.