THE recent plankton bloom which devastated fish farms in Changi, together with a similar episode last year ("Fishing in troubled waters"; March 16, "Plankton bloom causing fish deaths 'likely to recur'"; March 9, and "Mass deaths continue at coastal fish farms"; Feb 12, 2014), has spurred considerable apprehension about local farms' ability to produce food at a sustainable and profitable rate.
However, Singaporeans must be made aware that local fish farms are integral to the country's food security, and deserve adequate support.
Singapore imports around 90 per cent of its total food consumption.
Without local produce, we will be completely dependent on exports. This condemns us to a position where we will be extremely vulnerable to fluctuations in external food prices, and imported inflation.
Even though local fish make up only a small portion of the amount of fish we consume, it is still a valuable ballast against outside inflationary pressures and price instability.
In today's world, where overfishing has depleted seas in many parts of the world, tightening the global fish supply, it is even more crucial to maintain our own fish farms.
The plankton debacle attests to our local farms' lack of professional knowledge and training in fish rearing in Singapore waters.
It is, therefore, important to ensure that our fish farmers are well trained, equipped and funded to maintain or expand their operations in the future. This can come in the form of an interest-free loan or conditional government grants.
It is gratifying to know that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority has been actively assisting the affected fish farmers. It is only right that we give them our support as well.
Kennard Chan Yanting
However, Singaporeans must be made aware that local fish farms are integral to the country's food security, and deserve adequate support.
Singapore imports around 90 per cent of its total food consumption.
Without local produce, we will be completely dependent on exports. This condemns us to a position where we will be extremely vulnerable to fluctuations in external food prices, and imported inflation.
Even though local fish make up only a small portion of the amount of fish we consume, it is still a valuable ballast against outside inflationary pressures and price instability.
In today's world, where overfishing has depleted seas in many parts of the world, tightening the global fish supply, it is even more crucial to maintain our own fish farms.
The plankton debacle attests to our local farms' lack of professional knowledge and training in fish rearing in Singapore waters.
It is, therefore, important to ensure that our fish farmers are well trained, equipped and funded to maintain or expand their operations in the future. This can come in the form of an interest-free loan or conditional government grants.
It is gratifying to know that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority has been actively assisting the affected fish farmers. It is only right that we give them our support as well.
Kennard Chan Yanting
