Singapore tackles underwater noise with new NParks advisory
In an ambitious move to protect its elusive marine mammals, Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks) is drafting an advisory aimed at reducing underwater noise from coastal development. The plan comes as developers undertake marine works in Singapore waters, including dredging, pile driving, and other construction activities that can reverberate through the sea. By providing clear guidelines, NParks hopes to minimize disturbance to dolphins, whales, porpoises, and other marine life that rely on sound for navigation, communication, and foraging.
Why underwater noise matters for marine mammals
Marine mammals depend on acoustic cues to survive. Sudden loud sounds, prolonged noise, and continuous vibration can cause behavioral changes, masking of important communications, and even temporary or permanent hearing damage. In densely used coastal zones, the cumulative impact of development noise can disrupt feeding patterns and migratory routes. Singapore’s coastal waters host species that are sensitive to sound, and mitigating noise is increasingly seen as a crucial aspect of responsible development.
What the advisory could cover
The forthcoming NParks advisory is expected to outline practical steps for developers, engineers, and project managers. Core elements under consideration include:
- Noise assessment and baseline: establishing the ambient soundscape before works begin, to better gauge project-induced changes.
- Soft-start and ramp-up procedures: gradually increasing activity intensity to allow marine life to move away or acclimate, reducing abrupt disturbances.
- Low-noise technologies and equipment: encouraging the use of modern, quiet methods for piling, dredging, and propulsion where feasible.
- Bubble curtains and acoustic shielding: employing preventive barriers to limit sound propagation in water around work sites.
- Operational scheduling: restricting noisy activities to times when sensitive species are least active or observed in the area.
- Vibration and impact monitoring: real-time tracking of seabed and water column vibrations to keep activities within acceptable thresholds.
- Wildlife observers and shutdown thresholds: deploying trained observers and predefined response plans if marine mammals are detected nearby.
Balancing development and conservation
Singapore’s coastal infrastructure program seeks to support growth while maintaining ecological resilience. The advisory would help align industry practices with conservation goals, ensuring that maritime development does not compromise the survival of local marine mammals or the overall health of adjacent ecosystems. The plan may also provide a framework for collaboration among government agencies, environmental groups, and the maritime industry.
What happens next
As NParks develops the advisory, public consultation and stakeholder engagement are likely steps. The agency may publish guidelines for different project scales—from small dredging operations to large reclamation works—so that contractors can apply consistent, science-based measures across the sector. Once finalized, the advisory could become part of regulatory expectations, encouraging proactive noise management across Singapore’s waters.
Implications for developers and researchers
For developers, the advisory represents a roadmap to minimize delays and potential penalties by adhering to best practices in noise management. For researchers and conservationists, it provides a clearer baseline for monitoring the effectiveness of noise-reduction measures and identifying areas for further refinement. The initiative also signals Singapore’s broader commitment to sustainable coastal development that respects wildlife and sensory habitats.
Conclusion
By drafting an advisory focused on shielding marine mammals from coastal development noise, NParks is taking a proactive step toward harmonious coexistence of industry and biodiversity. The success of this approach will depend on thoughtful implementation, ongoing monitoring, and collaboration across sectors to protect one of Singapore’s most intriguing and vulnerable natural assets—the marine mammals that roam its waters.
