Fisheries Carnival Reels In Visitors
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources is holding a four-day Fisheries Carnival, from January 31 to February 3, at the Muara Fish Landing Complex.

This is the sixth time the Fisheries Carnival is being held since its inception in 2001. The success of the carnival is mainly due to the efforts of local entrepreneurs who are involved in the fisheries industry, in fields such as aquaculture.

Products relating to fish and other types of sea creatures, ranging from fresh fish to processed seafood, are currently available at the carnival. In addition, there is also an exhibition on the various sections under the Fisheries Department. Live sea turtles are on display as well to promote the conservation of the delicate sea creature.

The Director of the Fisheries Department, Hajah Hasnah binti Ibrahim, in her welcoming, address, said that the objectives of the Fisheries Carnival 2008 are to promote the fisheries' products and to encourage people to buy and use local products. It is also hoped that the carnival will position the fisheries industry as one of the country's profitable sectors and raise awareness on the programmes undertaken by the Fisheries Department.

Hajah Hasnah also said that this year's Fisheries Carnival would focus on three main issues: to promote the ornamental fish trade as one of the potential businesses to be developed, to promote eco-tourism in conjunction with the "Kenali Negara Kitani" (Know Our Country) campaign and to promote the eating of fish as part of a healthy diet.

The Director of Fisheries also revealed that 68 companies and government agencies are participating in the carnival. She expressed her hope that the carnival would be a venue for entrepreneurs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to build networks within the industry.

Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Jumat, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, officiated the event as the guest of honour yesterday.

Also present at the launch were Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah bin Haji Abd Wahab, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, and Pengiran Hajah Mariana bte Pengiran Dipa Negara Laila Di Raja Pengiran Haji Abdul Momin, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry And Primary Resources.

At the event, the Minister of Industry and Primary Resources also launched a book entitled "Fishing Gears and Methods in Southeast Asia: Brunei Darussalam".

The book contains a synopsis on fishing gears used by individual fishermen and commercial fishing companies within the country.

"Fishing Gears and Methods in Southeast Asia: Brunei Darussalam" was the result of a cooperative endeavour between the Fisheries Department of Brunei Darussalam and the SEAFDEC based in Bangkok, Thailand.

It is hoped that the book will serve as a guide for students who are interested in the fishing activities of the country.

After the ceremony, the minister also toured the various booths and released turtles onto a replica of the seashore.

Among the visitors on the first day of the Fisheries Carnival was YAM Pengiran Anak Raheemah Sanaul Bolkiah, the granddaughter of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, who was part of a group of students from Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah School. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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