Newsletter No. 637
News-Analysis
June 6, 2007

 

The following article appeared several days ago in the Borneo Bulletin.

BRUNEI AND JAPAN JOINTLY STUDY FISHERIES RESOURCES
By James Kon

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 Development Centre and Brunei's Department of Fisheries, the ship named Tenyo-maru will be carrying out the project with Brunei's research vessel named 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 an overall length of 62.6 meters and can accommodate 76 people, including 30 crewmembers, 4 scientists, and 42 trainees. The vessel is equipped with sophisticated equipment such as a scientific echo sounder and mapping sonar, fisheries research and environmental survey equipment such as CTD system, a 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 honor, 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 [June 2nd].

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 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.