Resorts World Sentosa's marine life fund supports new projects

With its Marine Life Park having been operational since December, Resorts World Sentosa has announced that its Marine Life Fund (MLF) will back two local marine conservation and research projects.

Announding its first tranche of funding Resorts World Sentosa Marine Life Park Director of Conservation and Education Biswajit Guha stated "the Marine Life Fund was established to promote marine conservation, research and outreach.

"We are heartened by the quality of proposals that various institutions and independent groups had submitted last year, and were particularly encouraged by the enthusiasm of students and youths in doing their part for marine life.

"We remain firmly committed to keep this momentum going and inspire even more marine stewards to take a much greater interest in marine conservation within Singapore and the region."

The first project is awarded to Temasek Polytechnic's School of Applied Science. It focuses on species conservation and research, aimed at improving the survival rate of hatchlings and larvae of the mud crab (Genus Scylla), better known to Singaporeans as the 'Chili Crab', a popular local cuisine.

The mud crab is harvested from nature for human consumption and while this species is not currently threatened, unchecked intensive harvesting will eventually put a strain on the species' population.

The research targets to create a system that can be used by local aquaculture farmers, reducing the need to harvest the crabs from nature. The team will also work with conservationists to re-introduce juvenile mud crabs into natural habitats. In addition, the knowledge gained from the research can be adapted for other crab species that are currently being cared for in the Marine Life Park.

Welcoming the funding Temasek Polytechnic Manager of Aquaculture Research at the School of Applied Science Dr. Wee Kok Leong stated "expanding the sphere of aquaculture research in Singapore will ensure that the aquaculture industry continues to grow from strength to strength. This is a vital component in developing sustainable food sources as part of our nation's focus on food security and food safety. With the expertise available at Marine Life Park, we look forward to working together on the various projects and collaborations."

The second project is awarded to a group of Singaporean teenagers who have come together to form 'Youths for the Wild'". Their initiative, titled 'Indanger: A Splash on the Wild Side of Singapore' aims to champion and raise public awareness on marine conservation through a series of public engagement activities targeted at both adults and children.

The Marine Life Fund was launched in 2008, and has previously supported marine conservation projects in Singapore, the Galapagos Islands and China.

The Fund is administered by the Marine Life Park, which consists of the S.E.A. Aquarium and the Adventure Cove Waterpark, and opened in November 2012.

The S.E.A. Aquarium, the world's largest aquarium, is home to 100,000 marine animals of over 800 species in 45 million litres of water. Comprising 10 different zones with 49 habitats, the aquarium takes guests on an underwater voyage beginning from Southeast Asia, and continues through the Arabian Gulf and the open Ocean.

It has an experienced team of animal experts who collectively represent over 700 years of experience working in more than 60 reputable zoological facilities around the world.

The Adventure Cove Waterpark includes six water slides, including the region's first hydro-magnetic coaster Riptide Rocket, the Bluwater Bay wave poo and the Adventure River - one of the world's longest lazy-rivers, the 620-metre river meanders through 14 themed scenes of tropical jungles, grottos, a surround aquarium and more.

The waterpark is also the only of its kind in the region to have marine life with guests having the opportunity to snorkel among thousands of fish at .....

For more information go to www.rwsentosa.com

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