Singapore

100,000 corals to be planted in Singapore waters

Starting in 2024, 100,000 corals will be gradually planted in Singapore's seas as part of the nation's largest reef restoration project to date.

This extensive project complements Singapore's existing coral restoration efforts which began in 2016, spearheaded by statutory board NParks.

To achieve this feat, baby corals, or coral fragments, have been grown in nurseries for at least 10 years. Once they are big enough, they will be transplanted onto damaged reefs or in new locations that can support coral habitats.

Diver holding Longquan ware. Photo credit: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
Diver holding Longquan ware. Photo credit: ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.

Salvage operation leads to large haul of blue-and-white porcelain

In 2015, commercial and salvage diver Ahmad Qamarulhazman was clearing debris underwater near Pedra Branca island, 24 nautical miles east of Singapore, after two bulk loader cranes that were in danger of toppling were blown up.

On his final dive of the operation, he spotted something wedged between rocks 8m deep. His trained eye told him that it was not something natural, but it was tough to see what it was as it was encrusted with algae, molluscs and organisms.