Cyrene reef

01Aug08

Cyrene reef, a short boat ride away from the mainland, lies right smack in the middle of Singapore’s busy shipping lanes. That numerous seagrass species, as well as a host of other rare marine life, flourish so close to such bustling – and often damaging – human activity is heartening. Not so encouraging however is the fact that its choice location has placed it in a precarious position, pollution among the woes that Cyrene has had, and must continue to, contend with.

 

 

As time and tide do indeed wait for no reef-bound man, we arrived at dawn, having earlier assembled onshore at the unearthly time of 615 a.m. As there is no jetty, stepping off the boat is an exercise in caution, as one has to beware of well-camouflaged stonefish…

 

 

Particularly striking is the sheer variety of echinoderms that can be found at Cyrene, from plump rounded cushion stars to the cactus-like sea urchins. Then of course there are the distinctive knobbly seastars (Protoreaster nodosus)…

 

 

The highlight of the trip for me was probably the Salmacis sea urchin – this individual (above) was found clinging on to a piece of seagrass. Salmacis are often found carrying bits of debris on them with their tube feet, possibly for camouflage. According to Ria, another theory is that this behaviour serves to protect them from the damaging UV rays of the sun to which they are vulnerable, just as people carry umbrellas for shade!

 

 

Sea urchin species come in various shapes and sizes; pictured above is likely the Black Longspine Urchin (Diadema setosum).

 

 

A flatworm in shallow water. Care must be taken by those who chance upon them and wish to have a closer look, as these creatures are so delicate that they often disintegrate when touched.

 

 

Nudibranch, probably Dendrodoris tuberculosa (thanks budak for ID).

 

 

While in the midst of trying to minimise my clumsy splashing, I noticed a small yellow cuttlefish dart away. Alarmed by my subsequent attempts at stalking it, the cuttlefish soon found a clump of yellow seaweed to hide under. It quickly positioned itself under a frond, turning up its tentacles (to better its camouflage?).

 

 

As we were admiring the seastars, Ria pointed out a huge ship passing by, bearing imported cars for the appetites of Singaporean motorists, insiatiable even as oil prices continue to rise. Just a short distance away, seastars trundled along on their own feet; it is to be hoped that they will outlast the autos that come and go so quickly with the relentlessly changing tides of fashion.

 

 

References:
Introduction to Cyrene Reef (Wildsingapore)
Star Trackers
A new star for Singapore: discovery of sea star

Many thanks to Ria and Vilma for the opportunity to visit Cyrene reef.

Filed under: All, Coastal, Offshore and Islands, Singapore   |  1 Comment