SINGAPORE — Public consultation on an environmental impact assessment determining the suitability of the biodiverse waters off southern Singapore for fish farming has been extended by two weeks, The Straits Times has learned.

It comes after a notice published in the Government e-Gazette on May 5 said the public had until Wednesday June 1 to comment on the report, which will pave the way for the Singapore Food Agency ( SFA) to set up fish farms. next to pristine coral reefs, as part of Singapore’s efforts to meet 30% of its nutritional needs by 2030.

Potential sites are the waters off three islands – Pulau Satumu, Pulau Bukom and Pulau Jong.

Large-scale marine aquaculture is one of the most efficient sectors available for animal protein, the report says, concluding that potential sites can produce up to 22,260 tonnes of fish per year with ‘limited impact’ on water and sediment quality.

Last year, local aquaculture production – 4,200 tonnes of fish – accounted for around 9% of total fish consumption, according to the SFA.

But marine biologists and conservationists told ST that building the farms off the three islands could negatively impact southern marine ecosystems and could attract unwanted predators near recreational dive sites, among several concerns.

Of Singapore’s 110 offshore fish farms, only one, managed by Barramundi Asia, operates near the southern islands of Singapore.

Responding to questions from ST, the SFA said it would make the report available to the public until June 15 to allow more members of the public to give their input.

The agency said: “All comments will be carefully considered and addressed, and incorporated into the final report as appropriate.

“Approval for the planning of marine areas to be used for aquaculture will be sought, and an environmental management and monitoring plan will be implemented prior to the start of any work, to ensure the sustainability of the aquaculture in these spaces and to minimize the potential impact on the environment.

According to the e-Gazette notice, the environmental impact assessment was conducted from September 2020 to October last year with a view to tendering more space for fish farms from end of 2022.

These sites were pre-selected for study because they are outside existing shipping anchorages and channels, SFA said.

Other parameters considered when shortlisting locations included the flow of water currents and proximity to recreational areas and marine or industrial facilities, he added.

The paper report, however, can only be viewed by appointment for two hours at the SFA headquarters in Jurong, prompting some to question its accessibility.