Opinion - Save the
Fish & Fishermen
(published on
saturday, 24 march 2007)
The Fisheries Department
deserves to be congratulated for their latest decision to safeguard the
marine resources of Brunei.
The temporary 'no-fishing'
order on the so- called Zone 1 to be effective from January next year is
panned to prevent over-fishing in the waters close to the shore.
As reported in the Borneo
Bulletin the area demarcated is from zero to three nautical miles from
the shore.
The very intent of the
proposed temporary ban is good. But how practical is it in the
implementation?
You also reported on the
immediate reactions from some small-scale fishermen who have voiced
certain valid concerns. Hopefully these will be addressed by the
officials who plan to organise several road shows for the fishing
community as well.
Among the issues that come
to one's mind is enforcement. Do we have a mechanism that could
effectively monitor any violations of this moratorium? Do we also have
adequate personnel to keep watch at sea all the time?
We have heard of fishermen
who have been caught in the no-go areas like the oil platforms down the
years. Of course the authorities have nabbed some of them. But the
dragnet needs to be wider with such a vast area coming under the new
rule.
I am sure the authorities
must have addressed such trivial issues too. But it's just a thought
that occurred to me when reading the news.
As a consumer I was hardly
concerned if the price of fish would rise if the fish supply in the
market is reduced. As a civic-minded person, I am also worried about
some fishermen losing their earning capacity as a result of the new
rule.
Arguably traditional
fishermen could venture into the deep-sea areas and catch some bigger
fish. But they will need bigger vessels and better gear. Perhaps the
Fisheries authority could consider some remedial measures like supplying
them with vessels on easy terms or financing on lower terms of repayment
to get bigger boats and gear to go out to the deep sea.
Surrounded by water, as it
is fishing has always been a traditional pastime. This could also be one
reason that the resources have been over-harvested. It is time that
something like this is implemented . But let us also look at ways and
means of helping the traditional fishermen too.
Goldfish Jerudong
- Courtesy of
Borneo Bulletin Weekend -
