IYOR Intern's Take on Singapore's Marine Life - The sea anemones' venomous concoctions

We end this series of science communication with the world of venom in sea anemones. Yes, the tiny cnidae that you read earlier are venomous! No touching!

Soft-bodied and somewhat jelly-like, these sea anemones are packed with great survival skills in the ocean: from evading of predators to microscopic weapons of death. These sea anemones continue to wow as we now learn more about their venomous stinging cells.

Venomous concoctions in sea anemones

The sea ninja’s most potent weapon is its venom. The cnidae of anemones contain a venomous concoction filled with a menagerie of toxins that causes different kinds of physiological effects on their victims. Some anemone toxins viciously destroy cells, while others are responsible for paralysing victims, causing them excruciating pain.

IYOR Intern's Take on Singapore's Marine Life - The sea anemones' weapons of death

We're back with new stories about the sea anemones written by IYOR intern Shabdita. Our heartiest congratulations to her for receiving an Honorable Mention for her recent submission to the Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019! You can read her works here.

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They can hide, but not forever! So how does the sea anemones defend itself from potential predators? Let's find out in this post!

Cnidae - The Microscopic Weapons of Death

Instead of using knives, swords or throwing stars, the sea ninja (aka the sea anemones) uses microscopic weapons known as cnidae for defending against predators and capturing prey. Cnidae are microscopic capsules, which forcefully shoot out threads when there is mechanical and/or chemical stimulations. For example, the freshwater polyp Hydra magnipapillata can discharge its cnidae due to changes in light levels. In general, there are three types of cnidae: nematocysts, ptychocysts, and spirocysts.

Cnidae of Cnidaria. They come in all shapes and sizes! Source: Snail's Odyssey.

Launch of "The Young Marine Biologist" badge with Science Centre Singapore

The "I Am A Young Marine Biologist" badge has just been launched on 12 November 2019 at the Science Centre Singapore! Check out the lovely pin logo that features a clownfish with a sea anemone.

The Young Scientist Badge Scheme has been around for a long time, with the objectives of stimulating interest in science activities among the young primary school students. This enables the students to carry out self-directed activities in various disciplines of science, and hope that students develop initiatives and creativity.

What a beautiful badge! Photo by Jani Tanzil.

As part of the Singapore Blue Plan 2018's roadmap of initiatives, the blue community at large, led by several marine scientists were the brains behind this new endeavour! We are so lucky to have Dr Toh Tai Chong, a coral reef biologist to share the development of the card activities and badge design.

IYOR Intern's Take on Singapore's Marine Life - How sea anemones evade predators?

Now that you got to know a bit more about the sea anemones, so how sea anemones evade predators? Let's find out in this post!

The Game of Survival 

Stealthy, quiet, and well-camouflaged, the sea anemones are likened to ninjas of the sea. Photo credits: Grae Hunter. 

A typical sea anemone (aka sea ninja) has to evade its predators, battle other anemones, and find its next meal in an ocean of scarcity and competition. Toxins are a sea anemone’s most vital weapon because they play a part in capturing prey, repelling predators, digestion, and interspecies competition.

IYOR Intern's Take on Singapore's Marine Life - Sea Anemones aka 'Sea Ninjas'

Celebrating Singapore Shores 2019 at Berlayer Creek! It couldn't have been possible without the hard work of our IYOR Interns!

Our IYOR Interns are such a talented bunch! From making videos to creating art works, they have done so much to raise awareness about Singapore's shores over the past year. In this mini series, we will be featuring one intern's passion for sea anemones as she shares about them through writing about them in a fun and creative way! She hopes that you will fall in love with the sea anemones, just like she did! 😁😁😁

The Sea Ninjas - Sea Anemones

Sea anemones are like the middle children of marine life. They don’t get as much attention as their more popular siblings i.e. your corals and jellyfish. Like corals and jellyfish, sea anemones fall in the phylum known as Cnidaria. Cnidaria is an ancient venomous phylum, which is distinguished by a unique feature known as cnidae. Cnidae play a variety of role in predation, adhesion and defence. Cnidarians are incredibly diverse in terms of diet, behaviour and habitat. 

Hope for Sisters' Islands Marine Park being named a Mission Blue Hope Spot!

Singapore aims for its first marine Hope Spot with Sisters' Islands Marine Park. Photo: Straits Times Lim Yaohui.

The Sisters' Islands Marine Park might become the Republic's first "Hope Spot" under the international initiative, Mission Blue, which draws public attention to marine areas which may need more protection!

Launch of Private Lives Exposé of Singapore's Coral Reefs!

The final book of the Private Lives Series has been launched! 

An Exposé of Singapore's Coral Reefs was first conceptualised 6 six ago, with Professor Chou Loke Ming at helm. Together with his team of young marine biologists (Dr. Huang Danwei, Dr. Zeehan Jaafar, Dr. Toh Tai Chong, Dr. Karenne Tun), and contributions from >40 other scientists, this book tells the past, present and future of coral reefs here.

IYOR 2018 End of Year Report - Singapore's collective efforts

The International Coral Reef Initiative just released the IYOR 2018 End of Year Report on the various activities held across the world! You can download the report here: https://www.iyor2018.org/news/iyor-end-year-report/

Taking this opportunity to thank all of our partners, supporters, friends, and volunteers for supporting Celebrating Singapore Shores! In the past year, our FaceBook page has reached out to almost 1500 likes and 1500 follows! Thank you so much for your support, and we hope to continue using this platform to Connect, Respect, and Protect our marine environments. You can also follow our blog page for events: https://celebratingsingaporeshores.blogspot.com/

Let's take a quick recap on Singapore's efforts!

"A Blueprint For Blue Waters"

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018 was featured in "A Blueprint For Blue Waters" in the Asian Scientist Magazine 18 Dec 2018.

In an interview, lead editor Dr. Zeehan Jaafar of the National University of Singapore shared insights into how the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 was developed, how conservation will be carried out for the recommended areas. As well as a comparison with earlier Blue Plans and what the 2018 Singapore Blue Plan is expected to achieve in 10 years' time.

Read more in "A Blueprint For Blue Waters" in the Asian Scientist Magazine 18 Dec 2018.

FOLLOW US! - Instagram St John's Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML)

In this series of 'FOLLOW US!' we want to highlight interesting Instagram pages about Singapore's marine biodiversity and seashores that are worthy of following!

2 Dec (Sun): Let’s Act on the Singapore Blue Plan 2018!

Join this FREE workshop to put the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 into action! Share your ideas. Be part of the change that you want to see!

The marine community at the Launch of
the Singapore Blue Plan 2018. Photo by Dr Tan Heok Hui

This workshop will focus one of the six recommendations in the Blue Plan: Environmental Education and Science Communication.

Our Crazy Rich Shores: St John's Island

Just 15 minutes from Singapore's main business district by water taxi, are crazy rich shores of St John's Island.

The cluster of Kusu, Lazarus and St. John's Islands has been recommended by the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 for elevated protection status.

Our Crazy Rich Shores: Pulau Jong

Pulau Jong is among our last untouched islands; it has not been reclaimed or developed. This is what our Southern Islands used to look like.

As part of the cluster around Pulau Semakau, Pulau Jong has been recommended by the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 for Immediate Conservation Priority.

Our Crazy Rich Shores: Pulau Satumu and Pulau Biola

Pulau Satumu, the location of Raffles Lighthouse, has the richest coral reefs in Singapore waters! Nearby Pulau Biola is also a haven for rare plants and animals.

Pulau Satumu and Pulau Biola have been recommended by the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 for Immediate Conservation Priority and to be designated Marine Reserve.

Our Crazy Rich Shores: Pulau Hantu

Despite being located close to petrochemical plants on Pulau Bukom, there are amazing rich reefs on Pulau Hantu! As well as seagrass meadows and mangroves too!

As part of the cluster around Pulau Semakau, Pulau Hantu has been recommended by the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 for Immediate Conservation Priority.

Our Crazy Rich Shores: Pulau Semakau

Next to Singapore's only landfill, Pulau Semakau and nearby patch reefs are teeming with life!

Corals on Terumbu Semakau overlooking
the Semakau Landfill and Pulau Jong.

These shores have been recommended by the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 for Immediate Conservation Priority.

Our Crazy Rich Shores: Kusu Island

Just 15 minutes from Singapore's main business district, are crazy rich reefs of Kusu Island.

At super low spring tides (which tend to happen before dawn), we get a brief glimpse of the amazing marine life found here. Kusu Island is also rich in history.

Our Crazy Rich Shores: Pulau Sekudu

Part of the Chek Jawa Wetlands that is managed by NParks, Pulau Sekudu, is a precious jewel.

This tiny island hosts important habitats and teems with colourful marine life.

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018 is launched!

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU!

The Singapore Blue Plan 2018 has just been launched! You can DOWNLOAD the Plan and SUPPORT the Plan at the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 site!

A ground-up initiative that presents the vision of the Singapore marine community, the Singapore Blue Plan 2018 is led by marine biologists with the broad inclusion of marine scientists, stakeholders and members of the public. Altogether, there are more than 100 contributors to this document.

We are very grateful for Minister Desmond Lee's support and time at the launch! Here shows the multi-generations of local marine conservationists: (L-R) Mr Francis Lee, Professor Leo Tan, Dr Zeehan Jaafar, Dr Ow Yan Xiang, Professor Chou Loke Ming, Mr Desmond Lee, Dr Huang Danwei, Dr Jani Tanzil, Professor Peter Ng.

The supporters and brains behind this 3rd Singapore Blue Plan 2018. Credits: Mr Desmond Lee's FaceBook page.

Check out the various media outlets sharing about the Singapore Blue Plan 2018!

• TODAY Online - Conservation of S'pore's marine ecosystems 'starts at home', say experts
• The Straits Times - New Blue Plan to preserve more of Singapore's marine landscape
• Channel News Asia - Three coastal areas proposed for conservation in the Singapore Blue Plan
• Channel News Asia - Three coastal areas proposed for conservation in the Singapore Blue Plan | Video
• The Straits Times - Conservationists set out Blue Plan to preserve marine landscape
• The Straits Times - Semakau - not just a landfill, but full of life
• Channel 8 News - 《新加坡蓝色计划2018》建议扩大保护区 修复我国海洋生态
• Berita Harian - Memastikan Singapura kekal biru & hijau