Fish Within Your Rights Or A $100,000 Fine Waits

Bandar Seri Begawan - The law enforcement agencies in the sultanate continues their operations against illegal fishing. They are focusing against fishing activities in the restricted areas of offshore oilfield installations.

The operation code named, 'Operasi Kebara Lima' along the docks of Pantai Jerudong began at 5.30am yesterday. The Royal Brunei Police Force, Immigration Department, Labour Department, the Internal Security and the Marine Department joined in.

The operation is to ensure that fishermen follow the rules and regulations with regard to offshore oilfield installations.

The operation is also to ensure licensing regulations for fishing issued by the Fisheries Department are adhered to and the fishing companies follow the rules and regulations of the Labour and Immigration Departments.

In addition the operation aimed to deter the use of explosives and poisons in fishing.

Under the Fishing Act, anyone found conducting fishing activities some 500 metres of offshore oil installations are liable for persecution and could be fine up to $100,000.

The Fisheries Department advises fishermen to go to the artificial coral reef set up in 1996 as an alternative fishing ground.

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