Brunei Fisheries Sector Gets Shot on the Arm
MUARA, 31 January 2008,
Thursday - The fisheries sector is expected to gain more than $60
million annually from the production output of two allocated sites in
the Tutong district to facilitate aquaculture activities and entice both
local and foreign businesses to invest in the opportunities presented.
Once both sites are
completely occupied, Brunei should expect a huge boost to its fisheries
revenue.
The two sites, which are
both already partially developed; are located in the Tutong district.
Some 459 hectares (ha) have
been allocated for shrimp farming in the Penyatang River, while 40ha
have been designated for fish farming in the same Telisai area.
"We're hoping that the fish
farm area will be ready next year," Hj Sabri Hj Mohd Taha, a
representative from the strategic development division of the fisheries
department told The Brunei Times.
Estimated production output
from the Telisai fish farming site is said to be at 5,600 metric tonnes
per annum. The target markets for the high-value fish species bred at
the farm include China and Europe.
Already, a Taiwanese firm
has shown keen interest to start farming grouper fish once the fish
farming site is operational.
"We have awarded a
Taiwan-based company to do grouper farming," Hj Sabri said, adding that
the firm is a joint venture with a local business.
For the shrimp farming
site, the fisheries department representative said that the ministry has
already awarded a 100-ha area to a local company for farming black tiger
prawns.
"We're inviting
entrepreneurs and businesses to apply for the tender to move in (to the
Penyatang River site) and develop the shrimp industry."
The authorities are keen in
encouraging businesses farm the black tiger prawns as they see a huge
potential for these species in the export market.
"Possible export markets
for the monodon prawns (black tiger) are the US and Japan," he
explained.
The closing date for
interested parties to submit tender application is February 26.
According to statistics
gathered by the fisheries department, the overall output for last year
has dropped compared to 2006. However, much of this was due to "unfavourable
weather conditions during the first quarter of last year".
Brunei exports its Mexican
White prawns - more commonly known as the blue shrimp - to developed
nations like America, Japan and Korea.
Currently only the Mexican
White is competitive enough to be exported in huge volumes.
However, the sultanate also
exports black tiger prawns.
- Courtesy of the
Brunei Times -
