Have you heard of whip coral gobies and nudibranchs? If the answer is no, you are not alone. They are just some of the overlooked marine species that can be found in Singapore’s waters.
Spotlighting these and other under-represented marine life is the fifth edition of Ocean Fest by S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).
Taking place from May 20 to Jul 19 with the theme “Righting the Future”, Ocean Fest aims to foster a deeper understanding of underwater ecosystems and celebrate the beauty of local marine biodiversity.
View an underwater photography gallery that reveals the hidden treasures of Singapore’s aquatic realm by global award-winning photographer Toh Xing Jie. Toh, who previously won the top prize in the Human and Nature category at 2023 Nature Photographer of the Year awards for a picture of a nautilus clinging onto a plastic bag, made multiple dives in Singapore’s murky waters to capture rare closeups of elusive marine species.
“Through the photo exhibition in this year’s Ocean Fest, I hope to inspire more to appreciate and protect precious local ecosystems,” says Toh.
Stop by a video wall that showcases curated narratives of people living in Singapore. They reflect their experiences with the ocean, from an unforgettable encounter with sea turtles to fostering camaraderie in beach clean-ups.
For some interactive fun, complete the Marine Conservation Quest. This cardboard “arcade game’ built by Paper Carpenter, a local team of cardboard artists who specialise in the medium, is a pinball-inspired installation where players get the chance to direct marine animals away from an ocean of trash. With gears and obstacles made of trash, and pinballs representing marine animals, players must successfully manoeuvre the marine animals past the trash to safety.
Learn from industry experts
Discover fascinating facts about unique animals from industry experts at the Ocean Dome and online. Pencil in May 25 to hear Dr Conni Sidabalok, researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong, Indonesia to learn more about the diversity and taxonomy of marine isopods which can be found in lush forests and in the depths of the ocean.
On Jun 21, Lester Tan, leader of the Horseshoe Crab Research and Rescue programme, under the Marine Conservation Group, Nature Society Singapore, will speak on horseshoe crabs. These creatures are often referred to as “living fossils” due to their long presence of approximately 450 million years.
Staying on the topic of horseshoe crabs, RWS will also be hosting the 5th International Workshop on the Science and Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs, organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, in conjunction with International Horseshoe Crab Day on Jun 20. As an extension to Ocean Fest, visitors can learn about horseshoe crabs – a species that is ubiquitous in Singapore waters, and its importance to humankind and the biodiversity that depends on them.
Ocean Fest 2024: Righting the Future is included with regular admission to S.E.A. Aquarium. Tickets start from $41 (adult) and $31 (child). More information can be found here.
S.E.A. Aquarium ticket holders may join the expert talks in-person and learn about marine biodiversity at no additional cost if they successfully register their interest via this form here. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
