The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has launched two sea space parcels for farming of fin fish and crustaceans off Pulau Bukom in the Southern Waters for sale by public tender January 18 2024. This is the first time that SFA is launching a tender for sea space farming. Closed Containment Aquaculture System (CCAS) must be used for this tender.
The two sea parcels are approximately 5 ha each and each parcel allows for a maximum allowable production of 1,732.5 tonnes per year (90% of the parcel’s carrying capacity as recommended by environmental studies. Tenderers may bid for one, or both parcels.
Every proposal will be assessed on its production capability, track record, relevant farming experience and qualifications as well as innovation and business sustainability, which includes the implementation of best farming
practices.
“Our aquaculture sector contributes significantly to our “30 by 30†vision., which is to build the agri-food industry’s capability and capacity to sustainably produce 30% of Singapore’s nutritional needs by 2030. Given our limited sea space for farming, farms will need to leverage on technology, innovation to increase productivity, and adopt sustainable practices to protect themselves against adverse environmental conditions brought about by climate change. We have been conducting studies and surveys and working closely with the industry, nature groups and the marine biodiversity academics to unlock more new sea spaces for sustainable aquaculture. SFA has carefully considered the feedback received and will continue to work with farms, including successful tenderers in the sea space tender exercises, to transform our agri-food industry and bolster Singapore’s food securityâ€, said Wong Sheau Fong, SFA’s Senior Director, Food Infrastructure Development & Management Division.
Environmental studies were conducted from September 2020 to October 2021 to assess the suitability of potential sea space sites for aquaculture production, such as its water quality, carrying capacity and presence of ecological receptors, to balance production requirements and environmental sustainability. The process includes robust engagement with agencies, nature groups and relevant stakeholders, to review the proposed mitigating and monitoring measures.
Details of the sea space plot size and parcellation plans were given in the press release. The tender for the sea space parcels will close at 12 noon on 11 Apr 2024. The tender packet is available for download on SFA website at
www.sfa.gov.sg/landsales
