MPA commits to protecting marine biodiversity

As part of this partnership, underwater clean-up activities and public outreach events will be organised annually. The joint underwater clean-up exercise complements MPA’s existing efforts to protect the marine environment and promote safe navigation in its port waters, said MPA.

Quah Ley Hoon, chief executive of MPA, said, “We are happy to work with the OSR team to engage the wider community in efforts to keep our waters clean. Marine debris not only has a detrimental impact on our marine ecosystem and life, it is also potentially hazardous to navigational safety in our busy port waters. I am heartened that through our collective efforts, more will embrace this shared responsibility to keep Singapore’s port waters clean and safe.”

To commemorate World Oceans Day on 8 June, an underwater clean-up exercise involving 20 volunteer divers, was organised in the waters around Lazarus Island on 9 June. About 140 pieces of marine debris weighing around 75kg were retrieved and sorted for proper disposal.

To raise awareness of the adverse impact of marine debris on our environment and encourage members of the public to play a part in protecting it, the OSR team also organised a talk about marine conservation for about 80 participants at the Singapore Maritime Gallery.