It is informed that Brunei’s Department of Fisheries is making strict surveillance to curb illegal fishing practices in Brunei. The department is tightening its grip by enforcing laws and regulations of the Fisheries Act strictly. The department has taken this step to prevent overexploitation and depletion of fish stocks.
Official sources say that three cases involving illegal fishing practices have been reported this year. According to Senior Fisheries Officer Hj Ajamain Hj Sawal in this context, various operations are being conducted at Brunei’s exclusive economic zones to prevent fishermen from conducting illegal fishing practices. He added that fishermen were reported to have used their andang (surface gill net) and pukat tunda (bottom trawl) that is dragged in the waters to catch various kinds of fish, which is in violation of the fishing practices.
Meanwhile, local fishermen are also seeking help from relevant authorities to further investigate the plausibility of commercial fishing boats such as trawlers, purse seiners and long liners, in violation of trespassing into other zones. Local fisherman, Hj Wasli Hj Mat Daud who has also been experiencing a depletion in his catches, was informed by the authorities that these large fishing boats are not allowed to enter zones that would be in the vicinity of small-scale fishing boats.
Hj Ajamain told that relevant authorities will be investigating the matter to protect the marine resources and to promote equal sharing of marine resources between the small-scale and commercial fisheries sectors.
