MIPR Minister Visits Offshore Cages
MUARA, 15 May 2010,
Saturday - THE Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang
Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj
Bakar made a working visit to an offshore aquaculture near the Pulau
Pilongan-Pilongan in Muara yesterday, to look closely at its
development.
The aquaculture is the product of a joint venture between a local and
Chinese company to form Biomarine Sdn Bhd.
The company was established after the Department of Fisheries signed a
memorandum of understanding with the Guandong and Fisheries
Administration in China in September 2008.
Biomarine culture fish in high-density polyethylene (HDPE), anti-wave
cages at the site.
There are currently 12 units of square cages and 20 units of round
cages, measuring 43-metres in circumference and six metres in depth, at
the 40.5 hectare site. It has also bought an additional 28 units of the
cages.
A previous article by The Brunei Times reported that the company aimed
to have 80 cages by the end of next year.
A total of $1.45 million has been invested in the aquaculture project,
with the company aiming to break-even in five years.
An additional $6 million is expected to be injected into the project
later for supporting projects, such as a halal fish-processing facility.
In 2008, fish cage production in Brunei was about 42 tonnes, according
to Department of Fisheries. It was last reported that 60 tonnes had been
produced in 2009, far below the potential 220 tonnes the country should
have been able to produce.
A press release from the Department of Fisheries said that Biomarine is
expected to produce about 400 tonnes of fish annually for the export
market.
"To achieve the goal and the target, the company will invest and bring
in two vessels to transport high value life fish from Brunei to China,
Hong Kong and Taiwan," it stated.
The press release added that the establishment of this export market
network will pave the way for more Bruneians to be involved in offshore
aquaculture for the niche export market.
Fish such as Humpback Sea Bass (Kerapu Sumboi-Sumboi), Malabar Rock Cod
(Kerapu Laki or Kerapu Hijau), Tiger Grouper (Kerapu Harimau), Snubnose
pompano (Pahat-pahat Duai or Pompano) and Black Kingfish (Banglus or
Gabus Laut) are cultured at the sight.
During the working visit yesterday, Pehin Dato Hj Yahya released fish
fingerlings into the offshore cages.
- Courtesy of
the Brunei Times -
