Letter to the Editor | Chicken ban: Whoever runs marine type fish farms has obligation to protect and preserve marine environment

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Dear Editor,

I am glad to learn that “Fish farms may be set up near 3 southern islands with high coral diversity, endangered marine life” and Singapore Food Agency is seeking public feedback (TODAY, May 23).

Malaysia’s chicken ban on Singapore on June 1 has more or less disrupted the meat supply market, and the food retailers who rely on selling chicken as the main dish will bear the blunt impact.

No matter what, any disruption of food supply will swiftly prompt Singapore to find ways and means to tackle the issue upfront. Thus, increasing the multiple channels of food supply will undoubtedly ensure the importance of food diversity and enhance the stability of food prices and the sustainability of food supply for Singapore.

Singapore aims to establish large scale marine fish farms and high-tech vertical farming are some of the effective means or channels for ensuring the continuous supply of alternative food to sustain and alleviate the impact of food supply.

However, whoever runs the marine type fish farms have the obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment. And, they shall take all the necessary measures to ensure that activities under their jurisdiction or control are so conducted as not to cause damage by pollution to the surrounding sea areas. In due course, protecting deep-sea coral habitats from physical damage caused by fish farming infrastructure and polluted water discharge from fish farms is critical.

The selection of the right type and method for marine aquaculture should also be an important consideration for the relevant authorities or commercial parties. This will ensure the projects are commercially viable and environmentally non-polluted. For example, whether going for Open Net Pens, Submersible Net Pens or Recirculating Systems should be duly considered, planned, organised and executed.

Another vital consideration is to ensure the navigation waterways around these specific islands are free of pollution and traffic congestion.

Last but not least, would the present Jurong Fishery and Senoko Fishery Port be sufficient and capable enough to support the logistics requirements to and from the market and the specific fish farms?

Most importantly, would the benefit of financial gain from fish farming be eventually channelled to the hands of the vast consumers?

Teo Kueh Liang (Mr)

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of The Independent Singapore.