Will the public save Singapore's corals or let them die?

Singapore has begun its most ambitious coral-restoration initiative, announced on December 10, 2023, with the aim to cultivate corals from fragments in special tanks located on St John's Island. This project has raised over $2 million in funding and currently, approximately 600 coral nubbins are growing in the initial two tanks. Researchers will lead the early stages of the project, but local marine enthusiasts will soon be trained to help cultivate and monitor the corals. The necessity for this restoration effort arose due to alarming reports indicating that certain areas around St John's, Lazarus, and Kusu Islands had seen significant coral bleaching, with 30% to 55% of coral colonies affected as of July 2023. As the restorations progress, it is hoped that the corals grown in the lab will be able to replenish wild populations and restore the biodiversity of the marine ecosystem, which includes around 250 species of hard corals and over 100 species of reef fish. Key figures involved in the project, including National Development Minister Desmond Lee and Dr. Lionel Ng from the NUS Tropical Marine Science Institute, highlighted that the initiative is essential not only for the relaxation of the coral population but also for the improvement of resilience against climate impacts. The project's design includes cultivating corals in specialized tanks that mimic optimal conditions with necessary controls for water quality, light, and temperature. This coral restoration project is expected to take at least a decade, aiming not just for the survival of these species but also for their potential adaptation against future marine heatwaves brought on by climate change. The initiative is a part of NParks' broader efforts to safeguard threatened marine life and support the ecological health of coral reefs, serving as crucial habitats in the region.