AQUACULTURE RESEARCH IN TROPICAL MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE OF NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

TMSI was set up in 1996 as an initiative to gather researchers in National University of Singapore (NUS) who are keen to study marine science and engineering in the tropical region. The initial focus was on coral, marine mammals and other organisms, physical oceanography and acoustic research. In 1998, an offshore marine station was built on St. John's Island, to provide fresh sea water to marine organisms under experimentation. Currently our research scientists commune to the marine station daily through ferry services. The station is equipped with a diesel generator to power electricity. Portable water is obtained through the island service provider at a premium cost. In partnership with Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), we are now embarking on the laying of an electric power cable and water pipelines to supply electricity and water to the marine laboratory and the other two government facilities on the island. On 1 June 2016, the marine laboratory is upgraded to become a national marine laboratory that is accessible to all marine science researchers in Singapore and from other countries. This is made possible by a generous government grant from the National Research Foundation (NRF) under the Prime Minister's Office.

Strategically TMSI continues to partner various government agencies and international research institutes to conduct targeted research contracts and innovative joint research projects. Looking into the future, TMSI will focus on developing aquaculture research to contribute to food security and sustainability and deep sea research which ventures into the unexplored bottom of the sea.