Reef Reseeding

Over-harvesting of marine resources to fulfil the needs of various parties coupled with land reclamation and rising pollution has led to the severe depletion of many ecosystems in the South-east asian region, as well as other parts of the world.

Apart from a pure conservation perspective, there is a need to conduct more intensive studies on the downstream effects of resource depletion, and to provide solutions for future exploitation of species with a slow turnover.

Reef reseeding programmes could provide new methods of undertaking reef and resource restoration, and lead to better coastal management.

Briefly, the concept is that non-genetically modified organisms grown past the vulnerable juvenile stage, are released into their natural habitat as part of an ecosystem and resource restoration approach to environmental management.

Giant clam research

The first a a series of research foci is to establish an experimental giant clam mariculture facility for fundamental and applied research.

We aim to study the distribution and abundance of giant clams in the region and to conduct ecological studies of the giant clams in the coral reef ecosystem with focus on the Asiatic region.

This project will also carry out investigation of settlement cues that could increase larval survival at the settlement stage, thereby increasing spat production to restore wild populations through reef reseeding operations, and to provide a regular supply of clams for the market.

The effect of anthropogenic sources on giant clams and more globally on coral reefs need to be better understood in view of the mounting pressure from development activities and a general lack of awareness of its effects on the natural environment. In this regard we are investigating the effects of heavy sedimentation in Singapore waters on the giant clam survival and growth, and also aim to determine the role of this species as indicators for environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies and nutrient concentration monitoring.