BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism has confirmed that the country’s offshore and coastal waters are now free from the red tide phenomenon.
In a statement issued Wednesday (Mar 4), the department said continuous monitoring had been carried out following its earlier advisory on February 28 regarding reddish water conditions detected in Brunei waters.
The monitoring involved aerial surveillance and laboratory analysis of water samples, conducted in collaboration with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Joint Force and the Royal Brunei Police Force Marine Police.
Based on the findings, the authorities confirmed that the waters have returned to normal conditions.
As a result, fish and shellfish species previously affected by the phenomenon – including small fish such as aur-aur, tamban, basong-basong, pusu, kuasi and bubuk, as well as shellfish – are now safe for consumption.
The department also announced that the temporary ban on the catching, sale and consumption of these species has been lifted.
The Fisheries Department expressed appreciation to the public, fishermen, seafood traders and relevant stakeholders for their cooperation throughout the period of the red tide incident.
The department added that regular monitoring of the country’s waters will continue to ensure seafood safety and protect the sustainability of the marine ecosystem. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
