(Bandar Seri Begawan, 11th) In conjunction with World Ocean Day 2025, Brunei’s Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Dato Manap, pointed out that Brunei will continue to strengthen marine ecological protection and promote sustainable fisheries development, launching a number of nationwide initiatives to tackle increasingly severe threats to the ocean.
Speaking yesterday at the deployment ceremony of 100 artificial reef balls on Pelong-Pelongan Island, he said Brunei has currently designated over 20% of its fisheries management zones, covering more than 1,200 square kilometers as “no-catch zones”, in order to curb overfishing and protect marine biodiversity.
Manap revealed that since 2001, the government has suspended the issuance of new bottom trawl fishing licenses, and since 2015 has fully banned shark fishing and trade in shark products, to save endangered species and maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
The Minister emphasized that to strengthen ocean governance, the government is also actively implementing a national-level fisheries resource assessment program; establishing a fisheries resource database; utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) for coral reef health monitoring; cracking down on illegal and unregulated fishing activities; and restoring seagrass ecosystems and habitats.
“In May, we successfully planted over 100 seagrass beds on Bedukan Island, which is a concrete step in our efforts to protect a key link in the marine ecological chain.”
He added that from 2020 to 2023, Brunei had already deployed more than 1,400 artificial reef balls, with the goal of deploying at least 1,000 more by 2029 to continuously enhance marine biodiversity and reproductive capacity.
“We are honored to be able to deploy 100 artificial reef balls at Pelong Rock, continuing this process and contributing to our ongoing marine ecosystem restoration efforts.”
“Brunei will continue to invest time and effort in marine scientific research for the benefit of our younger generation, who will become the key guardians of marine governance in the future. At the same time, we urge stakeholders in all sectors nationwide to adopt environmentally friendly practices in order to achieve sustainable economic development.”
The Minister also did not shy away from expressing deep concern about threats facing the global marine ecosystem. He pointed out that marine ecosystems, including those in this region, are rapidly degrading due to human activities. Major issues include marine pollution caused by plastic and industrial waste; ghost fishing nets (abandoned fishing gear) trapping marine life; destruction of mangrove and coastal ecosystems; prevalence of overfishing and destructive fishing methods; and coral bleaching caused by rising ocean temperatures and acidification.
He stressed that these factors not only endanger the entire ecological chain, but also directly affect communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood, threatening their food sources, economic income, and cultural roots.
“We must face these challenges head-on and accelerate research and deployment of solutions. Only through joint effort by society as a whole can we protect Brunei’s ‘blue lifeline’.”
Manap called on all industries, non-governmental organizations, and the public to actively participate in environmental protection actions and build a healthier and more resilient marine future for the next generation.
Speaking yesterday at the deployment ceremony of 100 artificial reef balls on Pelong-Pelongan Island, he said Brunei has currently designated over 20% of its fisheries management zones, covering more than 1,200 square kilometers as “no-catch zones”, in order to curb overfishing and protect marine biodiversity.
Manap revealed that since 2001, the government has suspended the issuance of new bottom trawl fishing licenses, and since 2015 has fully banned shark fishing and trade in shark products, to save endangered species and maintain the balance of the ecosystem.
The Minister emphasized that to strengthen ocean governance, the government is also actively implementing a national-level fisheries resource assessment program; establishing a fisheries resource database; utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) for coral reef health monitoring; cracking down on illegal and unregulated fishing activities; and restoring seagrass ecosystems and habitats.
“In May, we successfully planted over 100 seagrass beds on Bedukan Island, which is a concrete step in our efforts to protect a key link in the marine ecological chain.”
He added that from 2020 to 2023, Brunei had already deployed more than 1,400 artificial reef balls, with the goal of deploying at least 1,000 more by 2029 to continuously enhance marine biodiversity and reproductive capacity.
“We are honored to be able to deploy 100 artificial reef balls at Pelong Rock, continuing this process and contributing to our ongoing marine ecosystem restoration efforts.”
“Brunei will continue to invest time and effort in marine scientific research for the benefit of our younger generation, who will become the key guardians of marine governance in the future. At the same time, we urge stakeholders in all sectors nationwide to adopt environmentally friendly practices in order to achieve sustainable economic development.”
The Minister also did not shy away from expressing deep concern about threats facing the global marine ecosystem. He pointed out that marine ecosystems, including those in this region, are rapidly degrading due to human activities. Major issues include marine pollution caused by plastic and industrial waste; ghost fishing nets (abandoned fishing gear) trapping marine life; destruction of mangrove and coastal ecosystems; prevalence of overfishing and destructive fishing methods; and coral bleaching caused by rising ocean temperatures and acidification.
He stressed that these factors not only endanger the entire ecological chain, but also directly affect communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood, threatening their food sources, economic income, and cultural roots.
“We must face these challenges head-on and accelerate research and deployment of solutions. Only through joint effort by society as a whole can we protect Brunei’s ‘blue lifeline’.”
Manap called on all industries, non-governmental organizations, and the public to actively participate in environmental protection actions and build a healthier and more resilient marine future for the next generation.