Azlan Othman
Brunei Darussalam recognises the role of blue economy in promoting socio-economic development through better stewardship of the sea and related resources.
The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) through the Department of Fisheries implemented interventions to achieve sustainable fisheries management and marine environmental conservation.
This was said by Permanent Secretary at the MPRT Hajah Tutiaty binti Haji Abdul Wahab in her opening remarks during Sustaining Marine Biodiversity through Blue Economy Symposium in conjunction with Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2023 (Brunei MYCE 2023) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam yesterday.
Hajah Tutiaty said interventions include overfishing mitigation through moratorium; introducing and enforcing ‘mesh size’ regulations; fishing grounds zoning; establishment of marine protected areas (MPA) to enhance biodiversity; and construction and deployment of artificial reefs.
Despite interventions, the Sultanate faces several issues, including declining marine species richness.

“This worldwide challenge and the transition to sustainable ocean economies require global cooperation,” she said.
The permanent secretary said global interest in blue economy is growing and its core value is to strike a balance between maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem and ensuring sustainable economic benefits from coastal and marine resources.
She added that governments, organisations and decision makers need to join forces to ensure policies won’t undermine one another.
Meanwhile, the symposium includes diving activities to explore coral reefs in Brunei waters – Rig Reefs and Pelong Rocks – as well as a visit to Bandar Seri Begawan.
Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin was the guest of honour at the symposium.