SINGAPORE: Fishing at St John’s Island bright and early last Sunday (Oct 15) morning were three friends — Aiden Raphael Keh, 17, Lin Jiayuan, 21, and Sim Jin Heng, 26.
The trio told TODAY that the Southern Islands’ “relatively undisturbed” nature and bountiful marine biodiversity made them ideal for “species hunting” — a niche in fishing they engage in, which prioritises catching as many species as possible, over catching the biggest or most fish.
Mr Aiden Raphael Keh, 17, Mr Sim Jin Heng, 26 and Mr Lin Jiayuan, 21, were fishing at the pier on St John's Island on Oct 15, 2023. They said that the Southern Islands’ “relatively undisturbed” nature and bountiful marine biodiversity made them ideal for “species hunting”. During the same period in 2022 and 2021, the islands saw a monthly average of 20,000 and 16,000 visitors respectively.
Notwithstanding this, as Singapore continues with its push towards sustainable tourism, the islands have a huge potential to be developed into a tourist destination, experts told TODAY. “That will benefit these islands — the islands will grow while maintaining their natural features. At the same time, this will also help Singapore become a stronger and more formidable tourist destination in the region,” said Prof Bhati.
“When we talk about coral reef habitats, the Southern Islands are unparalleled. I will say St John’s is one of the best reefs in Singapore that are legal to fish — unless you go to Hantu, but even Hantu is a bit harder to fish at,” Mr Lin, a bioengineering student at the Nanyang Technological University , told TODAY.
Ms Yin Mon Aung , 42, picnicking with a group of friends under a mangrove hut on St John's Island on Oct 15, 2023. They were surrounded by at least eight to 10 monkeys while they snacked. St John's Island is home to the Sisters' Islands Marine Park Public Gallery, which seeks toe educate the public on the rich marine biodiversity in Singapore's waters.
Today, Kusu is a unique blend of offerings, from religious sites to a tortoise haven. The island houses hundreds of tortoises, which can be found at two spots — Tortoise Sanctuary and Turtle Lagoon. This year’s pilgrimage falls between Oct 15 and Nov 12. It will also coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Tua Pekong Temple, which is dedicated to the God of Prosperity. Situated near the pier, the temple’s bright red and green facade greets visitors to the island as they disembark from the ferry.
Asked why she is willing to make the arduous trip — which involves an almost 10-hour bus ride from her hometown in Penang, followed by a half-an-hour ferry ride from mainland Singapore — Mdm Lee said the Tua Pekong Temple is believed to bring good luck.The Tua Pekong Temple on Kusu Island is dedicated to the God of Prosperity.
Kusu Island holds a special place in Mr Keith Tan’s heart, as he used to spend time on the island with his grandmother when he was a child. After a long hiatus, Mr Tan decided to make a trip to Kusu during this year’s pilgrimage as he was on leave, and thought that it would be a “good breather” to be away from the mainland for a while.
“ likes swimming and water and beaches, so I always find something with water,” said Ms Vavrincova, who was seated on a bench by the Tortoise Sanctuary. Big Sister’s Island serves as a platform for conservation, outreach, education and recreation, while Small Sister’s Island, which is closed to the public, is zoned for conservation and research.
If she is lucky, she may even spot the Neptune’s Cup sponge — a very rare giant sea sponge, once believed to be extinct — which she had hoped, but failed, to see on a previous dive. On his experience at Sisters’ Islands, Mr Yeo said: “Diving there was different for sure. The trail alone was a great initiative not seen on other islands.
While she is from — and currently based in — the United Kingdom, Ms Simons had visited the park as part of a marine biology module during her undergraduate exchange programme at the National University of Singapore. Probably the most well-known, and biggest, of the Southern Islands outside of Sentosa, Lazarus today features an eclectic mix of natural and built environments — from its pristine beaches and clear waters, to itsA house at Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus Island by Big Tiny.
Ms Yeong said the pair would spend two nights in the tiny houses on the island. The first half of their trip would be dedicated to a silent retreat, while the rest of the time would be spent exploring and trying out the new water activities. While they had spent their day trip swimming and having a picnic, Mr Sharvin added that he may suggest an overnight stay on the island to his friends in future, as he believes it could be a “fun experience”.
Beyond serving as a day-trip destination or weekend getaway for domestic visitors, experts also spoke of the islands’ potential in propelling Singapore’s standing before international tourists. While the Southern Islands have plenty of tourism potential, experts stressed the importance of striking a balance between development and conservation — and ensuring that new activities and built infrastructure do not detract from the islands’ original appeal, nor come at a hefty cost to the environment and biodiversity.
“Due to logistical constraints and being offshore, waste management has to be monitored especially when coping with a high influx of visitors.”Looking ahead, Dr Shawn Lum, a senior lecturer at NTU’s Asian School of the Environment, suggested that it would be useful to bring together experts from different fields for a “multi-sector brainstorming” on the desired goals for biodiversity and the health and resilience of the islands’ ecosystems.