Fisheries Carnival Reels in Visitors
MUARA, 31 January 2008,
Thursday - 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 -
