RMBR and HSBC launch 2 new publications under Project Semakau

Together with HSBC, RMBR launched two new publications on 16 April 2011: Project Semakau ‘Living Shores’ Secondary School Workbook and Public Education Booklet.

The worksbook is titled “Living Shores of Singapore”, while the booklet is titled “Living Shores of Pulau Semakau”
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Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources kindly graced the occasion. Mr Alex Hungate, CEO of HSBC gave a welcome speech and Professor Leo Tan gave a summary of some of the important findings of the project.

The publications are launched by (L to R): Prof Leo Tan, Director (Special Projects), NUS Faculty of Science; Mr Alex Hungate, CEO, HSBC Singapore; Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources; and Mr Andrew Tan, CEO, National Environment Agency
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Prof Leo Tan updated the audience on the findings of Project Semakau
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The Green Volunteers of HSBC led a group of 80 guests through the intertidal areas of Semakau. RMBR Education Unit assisted to find animals and laid them out on the public trail at specific stations, thus minimising the impact of the shore. Prof Leo Tan and Prof Peter Ng shared many interesting stories of intertidal animals with the guests.

Prof Peter Ng shared with the participants interesting stories about the spider conch
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HSBC guides leading the participants to explore the intertidal areas of Pulau Semakau
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It was a very interesting walk, with many rare species sighted, including an unknown frogfish! Most of the participants had never been to an intertidal area before, and were amazed that such a wide variety of marine life could be found on Pulau Semakau.

The huge knobbly sea stars are among the highlights of the trip
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The sawedged spooner may look fearsome, but it actually feeds on algae
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The flatworm is so flat that it can squeeze into tiny crevices to seek small prey
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This unknown frogfish was spotted by Prof Peter Ng during the intertidal walk
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The booklet “Living Shores of Semakau” is available for sale at the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research or online at http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/merchandise/index.html

All proceeds from the sale of this booklet will go towards funding the research and outreach objectives of Project Semakau.

The workbook “Living Shores of Singapore” is targeted at secondary school students and is available to all walk participants of the Semakau intertidal walk sponsored by HSBC.

For enquiries on both publication, please email Ms Wang Luan Keng at dbswlk@nus.edu.sg