Brunei Darussalam has lost about 70 million dollars in fish value due to the illegal fishing activities of hundreds of foreign vessels in Brunei Waters since 1992. According to the Fisheries Department about five hundred and sixty foreign fishing vessels were caught intruding in and around Brunei Waters since that year.

Relentless efforts have been undertaken by relevant authorities in order combat such activities.

The Department of Fisheries continues to conduct routine air surveillance with the cooperation of the Royal Brunei Air Force by using their CN235 maritime patrol aircraft. In one of the operation Friday, there was no foreign fishing vessel in sight. The surveillance was done some 64 kilometers off the Brunei’s coastlines.

The estimated potential value of the fisheries industry at the moment is 200 million dollars annually on sustainable basis and is expected to rise to 400 million dollars by the year 2023. The 200 percent increase is based on the upsurge of production in the aquaculture sector,

seafood processing and also from opportunities that can be derived from the fisheries eco-tourism industry. The continuous involvement of the fisheries operators and all the supporting agencies are considered as a critical factor in reaching the target. With their continuous involvement will certainly increase contributions towards the Gross Domestic Product.