Kayak Expedition to the KELONGS!
Kelongs—‘Malay for an offshore platform built predominantly with wood and propped up by tree trunks or wooden poles of about 20m in length. Wooden poles are also used to construct a funnel-like structure to guide the fish into the net in the centre of the kelong. The net is lifted daily and the fish collected for sale. Young fish, or fry, are usually bred till they become large enough to sell. (The Straits Times, 28 September, 2009[1])’
Where art thou, kelongs? Decades ago, kelongs were a common sight in Singapore. Sadly, these fishing platforms have now been reduced to a mere 14—sparsely located in the offshore waters of our sunny island.
A recent article by The Straits Times (28 September, 2009) cited exponentially increasing prices of the wooden poles necessary for kelong construction and a massive reduction in the number of kelong licenses available for distribution as two of the main causes of this great decline in kelongs. Escalating maintenance costs of kelongs was another reason forcing many owners to abandon the kelongs which they have dearly called home for generations and others to take on double jobs to supplement their incomes. Increasing environmental pollution, rising costs due to globalization and rapid urban development have left the kelong with virtually no place in a fast-moving city that is Singapore.
Perhaps the quote at the end of the article summarizes the sad plight of kelongs in Singapore best—‘…Singapore cannot continue in the old way in a changing world’—and it will not be long before their extinction.
What to do there:
The journey begins from Pasir Ris Park, where students will embark on a kayak expedition jointly organized by AdvenTour Singapore to the offshore kelongs of Singapore while marveling the natural landscapes of the East coasts. Students will also be given a sneak peak and introduction to the fish farming methods of the kelong owners. Before heading back to shore, students will be required to conduct a short question and answer with the kelong owner and jot down notes on the changes kelongs have undergone over the years and the various environmental impacts on the farming activity of the kelongs.
(image source: www.fishingnewsroom.com)
[1] http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2009/09/kelongs-vanishing-fast-in-singapore.html
