Credits:
Producer: Qi En
Videographers: Preethika, Qi En
Sound: Fang Yi
Video editor: Hui Ying
Did you know that Singapore is home to over 250 species of corals? Known to be the rainforests of the sea, coral reefs are one of the most valuable ecosystems on the planet. Despite losing about 60% of Singapore’s reefs due to climate change and coastal works, they still support our rich marine biodiversity.
Sam Shu Qin, marine biologist and co-founder of Our Singapore Reefs, has dedicated her life to coral restoration — growing corals and planting them back into the sea. Her job involves diving into Singapore waters five to seven times a month to monitor the corals, which are integral to maintaining the health of the entire marine ecosystem. During one of Sam’s dives, she spotted an entire washing machine crushing a patch of coral. This spurred her to start collecting ocean garbage with a community of divers who are passionate coral enthusiasts.
Coral reefs provide shelter, food, and hiding spaces for marine life. To ensure the survival of coral reefs, Singapore’s first man-made coral garden at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove was created in partnership with Tropical Marine Science Institute of National University of Singapore. Sam works closely with the Marina to clean the coral nursery, removing any algae that may be preventing sunlight from reaching the corals.
Find out more about diving for coral reef conservation as Sam shares more about the local coral scene, common misconceptions, and the importance of protecting these underwater wonders.
