Thursday, August 21, 2008

We love the earth group 1: Prof Chou, Coral Reef Guru and his 2 cents

Coral Reef Guru and his 2 cents

Professor Chou Loke Ming
Department of Biological Sciences, Marine Biology Lab
National University of Singapore
IYOR 2008 Key note address
From Beach Bum on vimeo

IYOR 2008 Singapore - Keynote Address - Prof Chou Loke Ming from BeachBum on Vimeo.

Here is a video of Prof Chou Loke Ming giving his 2 cents at the IYOR 2008 launch on 8 August. And what a mighty 2 cents it was.

During his address, Prof Chou mentioned an incident with some research counter parts from overseas; to them the situation in Singapore looked dreadful, worse than a barrel full of crown of thorns. They were all for giving up because there was no point in conserving coral that was half dead. But Prof Chou said, “You have been doing reef restoration in the Red Sea, beautiful clear waters no problem at all so no challenge. No challenge what’s the point? What we want is a challenge, so if we can get reef restoration to work here, then it’s a great challenge.” And what a challenge it will be with waters murky with sediments and barges bowling over coral like a cow over grass.

A recent development was the setting up of sediment screens at the Semakau landfill to protect the surround coral reefs from sedimentation. This is one of steps taken to ensure the protection of our national heritage and we still have a staircase to go. As quoted from Prof Chou, “I don’t think we should give up hope… The reefs have not failed us… so we should not fail the reefs.”

Singapore is known as the Garden City. And surely Singapore has territorial waters, but where is the garden in the water? If Singapore can be committed to transform our waters into a Coral Paradise - as is Prof Chou’s vision - by 2018, not only to boast of our achievements by the next IYOR, it will also be a testimony that if Singapore can do it so can the rest of the World! That is what makes International in International Year Of the Reef.

Jacque and Theophilus finished work at 5:54 PM

______________________________

the marine junkies
Jacque and Theophilus
18071990 / 28081990
NUS High School
NUS Marine Biology Labs

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thanks
Nudibranchs drawn by Prof. Chou
(hand drawn! wow!)
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links
IYOR2008