The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) through the Department of Fisheries in collaboration with the South East Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and the University Brunei Darussalam (UBD) organized a symposium titled “Sustaining Marine Biodiversity Through Blue Economy Symposium 2023”.

The three-day symposium starting today held at the UBD Pro Chancellor Arts Centre is one of the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2023 (Brunei MYCE 2023).

Present as the Guest of Honour and to inaugurate the symposium was Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism.

Panel members and participants from within and outside the country including related agencies also participated in the symposium which brought the theme “Blue Economy: Rainforest of the Sea”.

The Blue Economy is identified as the main strategy to maintain marine biodiversity and the core value of the blue economy lies in the balance between maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem.

In addition, it is to ensure that economic benefits can be achieved from coastal and marine resources to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The symposium program also includes diving activities to explore tropical coral reefs in Brunei waters.

The symposium was divided into three sessions - Blue Economy: Balancing Economic Growth with Marine Conservation; Marine Biodiversity: Importance, Threats and Conservation; and Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture: Enhancing Marine Biodiversity and Economic Development.