Bandar Seri Begawan - Fisheries have been one ofthe mainstay occupations in Brunei and over the years there have been further developments with new fishing technologies that increase production. The aquaculture too has been steadily developing with the opening of new areas in various parts of the country, using various new technologies and culture methods.
Seafood processing, on the other hand, has also recorded a positive trend with new processing plants being built to cater to the industry's growing needs.
"With this backdrop, Brunei places the fisheries industry as one of the important sectors that could contribute towards the diversification of the economy."
This was stated by Hj Suriyah Hj Omar, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, during the opening ceremony of the 18th Meeting of the Asean Sectoral Working Group on Fisheries (ASWGFi) held yesterday at the Centrepoint Gadong. The three-day event will end on June 25. "Brunei Darussalam is a small regional player in fisheries and aquaculture productions.
Our marine's fisheries resources are limited and there is a decreasing trend in the volume of production, just like other countries in the region.
This is mainly due to biological over-fishing, especially in the small-scale fisheries sector. This is where the Asean member states could work together, especially among coastal states that share the same waters. I hope this aspect can be looked into as part of deliberations in the next few days," she said.
"Regionally, the rapid development poses both opportunities and challenges to the fisheries sector - with a fast-growing demand for animal protein that arises because of population growth. The fisheries sector could play an important role in meeting the need.
On the other hand, the sector is also experiencing important challenges in achieving sustainable developments of fisheries, particularly so due to the degradation of fisheries resources, more stringent market requirements and fish product trades, as well as the impacts of climate change.
"In connection to this, I recognise the important role of ASWGFi, taking onboard pertinent issues facing the sector as well as identifying innovative ways and strategies to ensure sustainable development and its contributions to the overall realisation process of an Asean community by 2015.
"I was informed that AFCF has developed a work plan for strengthening developments and management of fisheries in the region, particularly in the areas of combating unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, promoting responsible fisheries practices, addressing impacts of climate change and fisheries co-management.
"At this juncture, I would like to congratulate the group for having completed such a task and coming up with important initiatives that will be the basis to support the ASWGFi's agenda. I wish to recall the endorsement and support of the SOMAMAF for the Asean-SEAFDEC conference on sustainable fisheries development toward Food Security 2020 to be held in June 2011.
"In this context, ASWGFi's deliberation on planning and conducting the conference, particularly the drafting of the new Decade Resolution and Plan of Action on Sustainable Fisheries Development towards Food Security will be a crucial process.
I urge ASWGFi to work on our comparative strengths and collective wisdom built upon past experiences and achievements so that the fisheries sector will be developed in a sustainable manner for the benefits of Asean people," she further added.
Prior to this, Mr Nguyen Viet Manh, Outgoing Chairman ofthe 17th ASWGFi, said in his opening remarks: "Asean is committed in deepening and broadening its internal economic integration and linkages, with the participation of the private sector, to realise an `Asean Economic Community 2015'.
"This is the end-goal of the Asean economic integration. As known, the Asean leaders identified fishery as one of the 12 priority sectors that would accelerate the region's economic integration by 2015."
He added, "Referring to the 30th AMAF approval, the Asean Fisheries Consultative Forum (ACFC) had been kicked off during the first meeting last year in Quang Nam, Vietnam, before the 17th Meeting of ASWGFi.
This opens a new channel of cooperation for sustainable fisheries in the region. In this meeting, we identify the key cluster areas of cooperation for developing AFCF work plan and timeframe.
The final draft of Asean Shrimp GAP and Strategic Plan on Developing and Implementing Asean Shrimp GAP has been discussed in the Asean Shrimp Alliance's second meeting.
"It is hoped that the final draft of Asean Shrimp GAP and Website of Asean Shrimp Alliance could be circulated and launched during ASWGFi's 18th meeting."
AS WGFi is expected to review and discuss on measures tasked to the fisheries sector in the realisation ofan Asean Community by 2015.
These include the harmonisation of quality and safety standard (including quarantine and inspection procedures of fish and products), development and initiatives in combating illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, as well as commercially exploited aquatic species discussed under CITES, fisheries subsidies, and aquaculture certifications.
The meeting to discuss plans for an Asean-SEAFDEC Conference on Sustainable Fisheries for Food Security towards 2020 (Fish for the People 2020 Conference) will be organised June 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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