Join us for a marine debris sampling event at beach next to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal! Data on both macro-debris (>5 mm) and microplastics (1 – 5 mm) would be collected from 20 quadrats (2.5 m by 2.5 m) in a systematic manner and supplies such as trash bags, sieves and gloves would be provided. Your participation would contribute valuable data to the NUS-NParks Marine Debris Monitoring Programme and would be used to establish the baseline data of marine trash in Singapore. Interested to find out more? Please refer to the webpage here: https://coastalcleanup.wordpress.com/nus‒nparks-marine-debris-monitoring-programme/

The sampling would be done at the beach next to theTanah Merah Ferry Terminal on 20 May 2018, Sunday, 9:00am - 12:00pm. Participants could catch SBS bus 35M from Bedok MRT / Tanah Merah MRT station to get to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. More details about the bus 35M can be found here.

About the site: Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal Beach is a state-land located at the southeast of Singapore. Incoming trash from Singapore Strait is regularly deposited on this shore among the marine life found here. As it is a non-recreational beach and not regularly cleaned, much marine debris accumulate on this beach.

Due to the nature of this study site, this sampling event is imited to participants age 15 and above.

Itinerary:

• 9:00am (30 min) – Safety and procedure briefing. Apply insect repellent, and distribution of gloves and trash bags.

• 9:30am (60 - 90 min) – Set up quadrats and begin macro-debris and microplastic collection.

• 11:00am (30 min) – Categorisation, counting and data recording of macro-debris.

• 11:30am (15 min) – End of data recording; Transport of trash bags to Trash Disposal Point; Debrief

• 11:45am – End of event

Things to note:

1. We may encounter a male long-tailed macaque at the beach thus please pack light and avoid packing any food in your bag if possible.
2. Cleanup supplies such as gloves, trash bags, and weighing scales will be provided.
3. You must wear hard-soled covered shoes or booties to protect your feet from hazards, else you won’t be able to participate in the sampling. Slippers and sandals are not allowed.
4. A change of clothes is recommended after a sweaty workout.
5. Long pants are recommended to protect your legs from insect bites.
6. We will continue the sampling in rain (bring rain gear) but cease if there is threat of lightning.

Things to bring:

1. Water bottle (with at least one litre of water)
2. Hat, sun block and/or insect repellent
3. Reusable raincoat/poncho (we will work in light rain)
4. Change of clothes for public transport

Be prepared:

1. Sleep early the night before
2. Have a decent breakfast – It’s hard work!
3. Be punctual as the tide waits for no one!
4. Please read our advice to participants to prepare yourself for the sampling exercise!

Thank you for your interest and see you on the beach!