[SINGAPORE] Visitors to the Singapore Oceanarium can expect to see a range of marine species, including endangered ones such as the bowmouth guitarfish and the Indo-Pacific leopard shark, when it opens its doors to the public on Jul 24.
Previously known as the SEA Aquarium, the facility will be three times larger than its predecessor and mark the transition into an aquarium-based conservation institution.
This move has been 13 years in the making and is part of Resorts World Sentosa’s (RWS) S$6.8 billion integrated resort transformation, said Lam Xue Ying, acting senior vice-president at Singapore Oceanarium.
The aim is to be Asia’s leading aquarium-based conservation institution, as well as to educate the public on “the threats that the oceans face”, she added.
The Oceanarium will introduce new species such as the Titicaca water frog and the American paddlefish.
“We must not only consider if we can provide the right environment for them, but also how new species fit into our broader mission – whether they help to tell important stories about biodiversity, conservation challenges,” said Lam.
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Therefore, the institution will collaborate with various partners – including the National University of Singapore (NUS) under the RWS-NUS Living Laboratory, a five-year applied research agreement.
The S$10 million tie-up will help to position Singapore and the Oceanarium as a hub for the conservation and restoration of vulnerable marine organisms and habitats.
The project also contributes to the city-state’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of conserving and sustainably using the seas and marine resources.
Kim Hoon, assistant vice-president of planning and growth at the Singapore Oceanarium, said that there is “a very clear purpose” behind the milestone transition from aquarium to conservation institution.
“We would like to drive meaningful progress in marine science through collaborative research,” she said, adding that the efforts go beyond Singapore through participation in international forums.
Visitors to the Oceanarium can walk through 22 immersive zones that depict the evolution of marine life. This is part of the mission as well, said Hoon – to educate the public and highlight the effects of climate change on the ocean.
Grant Abel, assistant vice-president of life sciences at Singapore Oceanarium, said that the institution aims to tackle issues ranging from pollution to over-exploitation that have “taken a devastating toll, leading to widespread ecosystem damage and biodiversity loss”.
He added that the goals for the next few years include accelerating conservation efforts for focal-threatened species, which are prioritised for conservation due to their vulnerability and representation of broader ecosystem needs.
The institution also aims to support the relevant authorities in implementing robust policies on sustainability, among others.
