Fishing industry in Brunei

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Fishing refers to all humans activities related to the pursuit of marine animals in the seas and the inland water such as ponds and lakes. In Brunei Darussalam, fishing industry is one of the largest contributors of the country’s revenue.

(CAN ALSO BE APPLIED TO OTHER COUNTRIES)

1. Fishing is an important source of protein in the diet of Brunei people. In addition, the location of Brunei along the coastal boundary makes it possible and profitable for fishing to be carried out.

2. The by-products are also of great importance. Fishes caught can be converted into other products other than for consumption. For example, sea cucumber is often converted to ointment for medicinal purposes.

3. Fishing industry stimulates the growth and spread of other industries. For examples, shipping and repairing industry (in Brunei it is often located nearby the coast e.g. Serasa & Muara), fishing equipment making, alongside ice, salt and preservatives selling.

4. Important source of employment (direct and indirect). Fishing industry requires huge amount of workforce to generate income.

5. Fishing industry contributes towards the country’s earning. Although fishing in Brunei can be considered as minor industry compared to oil & gas, it has successfully decrease the Brunei’s money outflow from importing all types of fish.

• LOCATION

Most of the fishing grounds in Brunei are in proximity to the mangrove swamps where there are abundant of nutrients for fish to reproduce. Thus, people usually fish in these areas to be sold to the market. Also, since the fishing grounds in Brunei are not as destructive compared to other countries, fishermen could obtain some rare marine species like the recent blackish green Toman caught by local fish enthuasiast by using modern fishing technology.

• SUSTAINABILITY

Brunei has strict reinforcements from authorities to hinder vile practices that could damage the fishing grounds in Brunei like the use of cyanide to kill the fishes with less effort like the one in other neighbouring countries. Thus, the sustainability in fishing in Brunei is maintained and people can fish with no fear of catching poisoned fishes.

• PROXIMITY

From the earlier history of Brunei, fishing has become a part of Bruneians’ activity and since most Bruneians live in Kampong Ayer (water village), they have easy access to the open water and this encourages them to become active in fishing activity. Places where people tend to fish are Danau, Seri Kenangan Beach, Kuala Tutong, Jerudong Beach and many more. Moreover, some people might not favour offshore fishing, so they tend to fish in sheltered spots like in Mangrove Paradise Resort as their alternative.

• ECONOMIC

Since the number of fishes in Brunei is so vast that people tend to use this opportunity to catch the fish and to sell them for economic gain. Large scale commercial fishing usually involves exporting fresh fish caught to neighbouring countries like China and Taiwan like the recent breeding of the highly-demanded fish species like mouse groupers and the coral trouts in which the market price is B$160 per kilogramme if sold to China and Taiwan. Small scale commercial fishing usually involves the selling of fish caught in Wet Market.

• The net (rantau) hangs from buoys (patau) which float on the surface of the water.
• The bottom edge of the net is held down with wieghts (timah). This method of fishing is used to catch fish like rumahan and tamban which swim in shoals near the surface.
• A special type of drift net called andang is used to catch prawns.
• Drfit net usually takes place at night and in the early morning.
• It is an inshore fishing.

• The net is dragged along the sea bed using the fishing boats called trawlers. These boats can go further out to the deep sea and also spend more time at sea.
• More fish is caughtby using this method.
• It is an inshore and offshore fishing.

• Fishing with a hook and line is called angling.
• Fish are caught by encouraging a fish to bite on the hook using fishing lure/bait.
• Can be an inshore and offshore fishing (depends on the fishing area).

• A box-shaped or conical-shaped trap.
• It is used to catch large fish like red snapper and grouper.
• It is weighed down with heavy stones so that the trap can sink to the sea bed.
• It is an inshore fishing.

• It is used to catch crabs.
• It is an inshore fishing.

• Line of bamboo standing in the sea.
• The stakes act as a fence to direct fish into a trap at the end of the fence.
• It is an inshore fishing.

• Bebatik
• Kerapu (Grouper)
• Duai Hitam
• Duai Putih
• Ikan Merah (Red Snapper)
• Belanak
• Keli (Catfish)
• Temanong
• Tengiri Gelama
• Ayam Laut
• Kitang
• Tilapia
• Pusu/Bilis (Anchovy)
• Rumahan Laki

• Rumahan Bini
• Tamban
• Yu (Shark)
• Pari (Stingray)
• Sumpit-sumpit (Archerfish)
• Lobster
• Prawn
• Crab
• Mussel
• Squid

The problems of fishing industry in Brunei are: 1.The annual catch fluctuates. This is because due to the limited fishing ground in Brunei Darussalam. Fisherman often faced this difficulty, which is the inconsistence number of fishes caught. This problem will reflect the income of the fisherman. They might experience less profit during the unpleasant weather condition that restricted them to go fishing offshore.

2. High demand from the local market made the country to import fish from neighboring countries for example Malaysia. Fishes are mainly imported from Sabah and Sarawak. Importing fishes from outside the country lead to the declining of the local contribution to the economy. Local fisherman could not support the demand for fishes from the people, thus the government need to import fishes from the neighboring countries. There is only fewer number of local fishermen and also the fluctuation of catches limits the sufficient supply of fish as the people need consistence supply of fish everyday.

3. Coral reefs which are the main breeding grounds for fish are threathened due to over-fishing. There are only limited fishing ground available in Brunei, competition between fishermen has led to the destruction of the breeding ground.

4. Most of the fishermen in Brunei are part-time. Due to the fluctuating annual catch, most of the fishermen prefer fishing as a part-time job . This is because the fisherman cannot depend much on the unpredictable profit. As the annual catch seems to fluctuate depending on the weather condition. Fishermen could not support their family and their needs if they are highly depending only on fishing industry

1. Research and Analysis.Through research and analysis, BSP has identified fish and prawn farming as potential areas to implement their initiative. With the cooperation from the Fishery Department, a feasibility study revealed an encouraging result.

The next phase was to create a cooperative body for locals to be involved in the project. Brunei Shell Petroleum also donated $350, 000 to help set up the company. BSP said the aquaculture project is part of its continuity in lending support to the government's effort in sustainable community development. Using advance aquaculture technologies from Thailand and Malaysia, the cooperative members will acquires trainings and tools to run the farm themselves. The aquaculture farm will be managed by a cooperative body consisted of 327 locals called Koperasi Bersatu Ternakan Udang dan Ikan Tropika Bhd. The news organisation says that the cooperative body was set up by LiveWIRE Brunei to encourage locals to participate in Temburong's first cooperative to run a commercial fish and prawn farms. The farm is expected to produce a minimum of 4.5 tonnes of freshwater fish and prawns.

2. In an effort to overcome the problem of insufficient and inconsistent supply of fish fingerling, the Fisheries Department has started projects to produce local fish fingerlings such as the recent partnership with Semaun Marine Resources Sdn Bhd in Kuala Tutong. This project, which commenced in February 2008, has the capacity to generate 30,000 to 40,000 'selungsong' fish fingerlings every month.

3. Assuring adequate manpower in the industry. More incentives should be offered to both full time and part time fisherman. The fishery department could give loans especially to those who are very interested in this industry and to those who has no source of income. Help should be adequate enought for these full time farmers to remain in this industry.