Brunei to further develop aquaculture sector

Brunei plans to boost aquaculture income up to BND200 million (US$139 million) by 2025, and the target can be achieved through joint ventures between local entrepreneurs and foreign partners.

To attract local small and medium entrepreneurs and foreign investment, the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) has prepared infrastructure for developing aquaculture in Tutong district so it can be a major producer of cultured shrimps and high value finfish.

The facilities include a BND8 million (US$5.5 million) water pumping station, which was completed in 2008.

The construction of the Eco Aquaculture Park at Sungai Paku in Mukim Telisai is scheduled to be completed by October 2010. The government is currently also building roads, providing electrical, freshwater supply, sea water system and telephone lines there.

The Shrimp Culture Industrial Site in Telisai Phase II at Kg Penyatang, Telisai, already has some of the infrastructure completed. About 200 hectares will be developed for the rearing of black tiger shrimps using a closed system and a raceway technology.

The system and technology will produce quality shrimps where the threat of diseases are minimised or eliminated, and the water is recirculated after treatment. The site is expected to produce 1,450 tonnes of black tiger shrimps per year, and will be exported to the US, Japan and the EU.

The site will be ready by March 2011.