Reef balls being deployed underwater. - PONI DIVERS
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Poni Divers, in partnership with the Department of Fisheries at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, will host Ocean Week Brunei, a national celebration of ocean events, learning and discovery during the week of World Oceans Day on June 8.
The event aims to bring together businesses, government stakeholders, organisations and academic institutions to discuss marine conservation challenges and solutions locally and around the world.
It also aims to inspire the next generation of ocean guardians and to equip them with the skills to build a sustainable future for the blue economy.
Ocean Week Brunei will host a series of events such as coral planting and reef building workshops, youth advocacy programmes, conferences on ocean sustainability with marine conservation experts along with Brunei’s largest coral planting day and beach clean-ups from May 31 to June 9.
The international marine conservation week will amplify the voices of local scientists and activists, and local youth leaders advocating for ocean conservation and climate resilience.
The event also aims to inspire over 245 youth and over 500 adults directly to protect the oceans through the week of marine conservation events. It also aims to reach out to over 1,000 individuals over digital media and live streaming.
World Ocean Week is a global initiative dedicated to catalysing action for the ocean and climate, where countries announce and introduce new laws and regulations aimed at protecting marine environment.
During World Oceans Day in June 2013, Brunei became the first Asean country to ban the sale of shark fin products.
The World Oceans Day themed ‘Catalysing Action for Our Ocean and Climate’ underscores the urgent need to address the critical intersection of ocean health and climate change.
Poni Divers and Poni Foundation have deployed over 60 reef balls and planted over 500 corals since July 2023 and will be deploying their 100th reef ball as part of the launch of Ocean Week Brunei 2024.
They have also taught over 50 students, from three schools and corporate sponsors’ staff on how to fabricate reef balls and plant corals after deploying them to sea.
Poni’s marine conservation team has also presented to over 100 schoolchildren across school talks, as part of the SC Tubular Solutions (B) Sdn Bhd Reef Ball School Programme.
Since launching in 2009, Poni Divers hosted marine conservation programmes for over 5,000 local youth. The Brunei Reef Ball Programme was launched by Poni Divers and Poni Foundation with support from the Department of Fisheries in July 2023. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
