Brunei, Japan to Study Fisheries Resources in Brunei Waters
MUARA, 02 June 2007,
Saturday - A Japanese research ship from the National Fisheries
University, Japan, has arrived in Brunei Darussalam to work together
with the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Industry and Primary
Resources, to conduct a joint research and training project. The
research is aimed at assessing the distribution and abundance of
fisheries resources in Brunei's waters commencing from June 4 to 12,
2007.
Co-organised by the
National Fisheries University and Southeast Asian Fisheries Department
Centre and Brunei's Department of Fisheries, the ship named "Tenyo Maru"
will be carrying out the project with Brunei's research vessel name "TENGGIRI".
Test fishing and
oceanographic samples will be taken to support the hydro acoustic
surveys. The main objectives in conducting the research and fishing
trails are to strengthen the information for effective management of the
fisheries resources as well as to train the staff of Department of
Fisheries in the use of mid water trawl - one of the identified fishing
gears suitable for deep sea fishing and squid gigging.
The information obtained
from the survey including the technology used, would be transferred to
the interested fishing operators in the near future.
"Tenyo Maru" has the
overall length of 62.6 metre and can accommodate 76 people, including 30
crews, 4 scientists and 42 trainees. The vessel is equipped with
sophisticated equipment such as the scientific echo sounder and mapping
sonar, fisheries research and environmental survey equipment such as CTD
system, thermosalingraph and several fishing gears such as bottom and
pelagic trawl gears, bottom and pelagic longline gears and squid
gigging.
To commemorate the arrival
of Tenyo Maru in promoting close ties in technical cooperation in
fisheries between Brunei Darussalam and Japan, a reception was held on
the vessel with the guest of honour, Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan
Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Hj Ahmad bin Hj Jumat, the Minister of Industry
and Primary Resources (MIPR), yesterday afternoon.
On hand to greet the
minister was Hashimoto Itsuo, Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam.
Also present were Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Hamid bin Haji Mohd Jaafar,
Permanent Secretary at the MIPR and other senior officials from the
ministry.
Mr Sotaro Mizutani, the
ship captain, briefed the minister about the ship's role and gave him a
tour on board the ship.
- Courtesy of
Borneo Bulletin -
