Awareness into Action
During Earth Month, Waterways Watch Society saw slight improvements in illegal fishing and litter conditions but continued to face issues such as littering, unsafe fishing practices, smoking, illegal tenting, and speeding PMDs in park areas. The organisation remained active through environmental programmes with schools, corporates, senior citizens, and community groups, while also hosting SPS Ms Goh Hanyan and PUB members for a waterways cleanup initiative. These efforts reinforced the importance of environmental education, community involvement, and stronger enforcement to protect Singapore’s waterways and public spaces.
25
Member
Patrols
39
Corporate + School
Programmes
Patrols
Guardians on the Waters
Over 358 members were active across Marina, Lakeside, and Punggol, with kayak patrols at Marina drawing strong participation. Patrols engaged smokers, illegal fishers, and speeding PMDs/PABs in parks, while inaccessible littered areas were flagged for authority intervention. Reports of dead fish near Marina Promontory raised concerns, highlighting the need for further investigation. Despite weather disruptions, members remained committed, even when patrols had to be cancelled.
18
New Members
Completed Orientation
Litter Collected
269
Marina
60
Punggol
107
Pang Sua
162
Lakeside
451
Total KG
Total Pieces of Litter Collected (Patrols)
4975
4101
Plastic
839
Metal
35
Glass
Containers, Forks, Spoons, Knives, Snack Wrappers, Styrofoams; Pail, Peg, CD Holder, Name Tag Holder, Spectacle, Slipper, Coin Pacifier, Coin Purse, Shoe Sole, Chopstick
Anchor Belt
–
Programmes
Educating and Inspiring Communities
WWS conducted assembly talks at multiple schools, with preschool and primary engagements increasing. Corporate programmes remain strong, with sustainable partnerships and sponsorships such as the Golden Years Green Planet BNP initiative for senior citizens. One week alone saw seven programmes spanning preschools, primary schools, uniformed organisations, and corporates. Participants consistently left inspired, reinforcing the society’s mission to educate and instill responsibility for the environment.
Corporate
25
CSR Physical
–
Corporate Talk
654
Participants
Schools
16
VIA Physical
8
Assembly Talk
6982
Participants
Total Pieces of Litter Collected (Programmes)
2849
1588
Plastic
1200
Metal
61
Glass
Containers, Forks, Spoons, Knives, Snack Wrappers, Bottle Caps, Plastic Crate, Plastic Sheets, Plastic Stools, Plastic Flower Pot, Tupperware, Cooler Bag, Bubble Wrap, PVC Pipe, Plastic Ball, Recycled Shopping Bags
Trolleys, Rods, Bicycles, Bicycle Pedal, Electric Coil, Multi Socket, Cycle Cable, Coins, Spectacles, Incense Burner
Broken Glass
INTERESTING SIGHTINGS
Challenges and Discoveries
Fishing zones at Marina and Kampong Bugis were found heavily littered, with fishing lines and leftover items posing hazards. Tourists were engaged in smoking, illegal tenting, and pigeon feeding, while rain brought significant litter into reservoirs and shorelines. A fishing line hazard at Marina Fishing Zone 2 was particularly concerning, and while illegal fishing sightings decreased slightly in April, the issue remains persistent.
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENTS
Partnerships for Change
WWS collaborated with PUB, hosting SPS Ms Goh Hanyan and senior PUB members for a kayak and pedal boat cleanup. The society urged PUB and MOE to encourage more schools to adopt initiatives like Dunman High School’s rationing day, and appealed to NParks and LTA for enforcement against PMDs/PABs in parks. NEA authority card renewals remain pending, but expired cards were collected. Overall, WWS continues to push for stronger partnerships with schools, corporations, and government bodies to sustain momentum in caring for Singapore’s waterways.