“The oil and grease content in the water is reduced due to the absence of tourist boats. Prof Tan said checks showed that the jellyfish population – triggered by excess nutrients that jellyfish larvae depend on – had also dropped. “The common ribbon jellyfish population is significantly lower due to reduced phytoplankton at sea, which leads to reduced zooplankton, which is food for jellyfish. She said it would be difficult to compare the improvements in the water quality from last year’s initial MCO as there was a complete halt in public movement then. “We are facing new challenges, including the uncontrolled disposal of face masks and gloves in our environment as well,” Prof Tan said.
