Brunei Commemorates 2nd World Oceans Day
MUARA, 09 June 2010,
Wednesday - BRUNEI yesterday observed the second World Oceans Day, since
the United Nations last year declared June 8 as the day to recognise the
critical role that oceans played in supporting life, regulating global
climate and contributing to human society.
Minister of Industry and Primary Resources Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama
Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar was present
to officiate the celebrations at the Fish Landing Complex in Muara.
The minister related that this year's theme, "Our Oceans: Opportunities
and Challenges" played on the importance of oceans in human lives and
the ocean's susceptibility to the actions of man, who has benefited from
the mass bodies of water through the development of fisheries, tourism
and shipping industries.
"With (the presence of) such activities, there arises several challenges
that we are facing as of late such as climate change and the
implications brought on by man's actions that are not controlled and
contribute to the destruction of marine life," the minister said. "The
oceans play a role in regulating global climate while marine life, on
the other hand, is influenced by climate change," he added.
The minister highlighted that a lot of the marine ecosystems, namely
coral reefs and fisheries resources, were being destroyed as a result of
overfishing and the use of illegal fishing methods.
He called on fishermen in the country to abide by the laws to ensure the
continuity of Brunei's marine resources.
Following his speech, a special lecture entitled "Ocean Days:
Opportunities and Challenges" by a Senior Counsel of the Species
Survival Commission under the International Union for Conservation of
Nature, Roger McManus was delivered.
The minister, leading a delegation comprising officials from the
ministry and its department as well as other stakeholders, then boarded
vessels that were headed five nautical miles off shore to Two Fathom
Rocks, "evidently one of the most beautiful coral reefs affluent with
its marine biodiversity and has the potential to be one of the tourist
attractions for marine eco-tourism", according to the Fisheries
Department.
There, they witnessed a team of scuba-divers inspecting the reefs, while
watching a life television feed of the underwater surroundings sent by a
remote operated vehicle that was operated by a fisheries
personnel.Hopping on to smaller speedboats, the delegation then headed
to Zone 2 of Brunei's waters, where they conducted a routine inspection
of a trawler. On board the trawler, Pehin Dato Hj Yahya had a first-hand
experience of ensuring that no illegal fishing activities were being
practiced.
The minister and senior ministry officials also tried their hand at
fishing in the Brunei Bay, before returning to shore where students from
three government schools in Muara were taking part in a colouring
competition held to mark the World Oceans Day. The minister also
presented prizes to the winners of the contest.
During the inaugural observance of World Oceans Day last year, the
Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources released sea turtles from
Meragang Beach with the help of some 80 students from the area.
- Courtesy of
the Brunei Times -
