Chek Jawa Wetlands reopens after oil spill in Johor waters; affected fish farm halts sale

SINGAPORE – The biodiversity-rich Chek Jawa Wetlands reopened to the public on April 5, two days after an oil patch spotted off the north-eastern coast of Pulau Ubin led to its temporary closure.

In a Facebook update on April 5, the National Parks Board said it will let the oil residue at the affected parts of the wetlands break down naturally to prevent any further impact, while continuing to monitor the area closely.

Protective booms that were placed around the wetlands will be progressively removed.

Besides the wetlands, several fish farms and the beaches in Changi and Pasir Ris were also affected by the

oil spill at Langsat Terminal

near the mouth of the Johor River.

An oil patch was subsequently sighted in the eastern Johor Strait on April 3.

The leak

has since stopped,

with clean-up operations at the shipping terminal ongoing.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), which worked with fish farms to reduce the impact of the oil sheen observed there, said in an update on April 5 that one farm – De Kelong – was more significantly affected than others.

“To ensure food safety, De Kelong farm has temporarily stopped the sale and distribution of its seafood stock and is also actively working on clean-up efforts,” SFA said.

The agency, with the help of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, has been working with the fish farms on preventive measures, including providing them with absorbent pads.

As at April 5, test results of seafood from other farms in the East Johor Strait and imported seafood showed no cause for concern, SFA said.

National Development Minister Desmond Lee had said in a Facebook post on April 4 that a light oil sheen was seen in parts of Chek Jawa Wetlands that morning.

“The main area impacted is at the Mangrove Boardwalk, where oil residue has been observed on some rocks and mangrove tree roots. Thankfully, the intertidal areas are largely unaffected,” he said, adding that the oil sheen has not been seen on other beaches on Pulau Ubin.

The approximately 100ha Chek Jawa Wetlands, which lies south of Langsat Terminal, is home to six diverse ecosystems. These include fauna inhabiting sandy beaches, rocky beaches, seagrass lagoons, coral rubbles, mangroves and coastal forests.

Parts of the beaches at Changi and Pasir Ris affected by the oil spill have also been

cordoned off for ongoing clean-up operations,

the bulk of which is expected to be completed in the next few days.