FISHING IN RESERVOIRS

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for Trade and Industry whether the Public Utilities Board will consider allowing people to fish in some specific sites at the reservoirs.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry: Mr Speaker, Sir, PUB's primary mission is to provide a secure, safe and adequate supply of water for the Singapore population. PUB's emphasis must therefore be to keep our reservoirs free from contamination and pollution. Nevertheless, PUB appreciates that its reservoirs and catchments are prime recreational sites for Singaporeans. As far as possible, the PUB will try to accommodate recreational activities in these areas which do not pollute the water, such as fishing and paddle boating.

Over the years, PUB has developed reservoir parks to provide the public with scenic walks, jogging tracks, children's playgrounds and exercise stations. The PUB will progressively allow more activities at its reservoirs, especially the reservoirs in the unprotected catchment areas, as facilities like jetties and public toilets are constructed.

The Kranji Reservoir has been open to the public for fishing since 1985. Pandan Reservoir is already heavily used for canoeing. From mid-1990, the PUB will open Sungei Seletar Reservoir to the public for fishing.

Dr S. Vasoo (Tiong Bahru GRC): Sir, is the Senior Parliamentary Secretary aware that some of the amenities in these reservoirs are not in real good shape for use by the public. I wish to know whether PUB will take steps to improve public amenities in some of these reservoirs?

Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not aware of it but I will ask PUB to look into it.