BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Demonstrating strong support for marine conservation and practical ocean action in Brunei, Pengiran Anak Isteri Sarah Salleh Ab Rahaman on Wednesday (June 10) participated in a diving and coral planting activity under Big Blue Hope, one of the key marine conservation action programmes under Ocean Week Brunei 2026.
Her Royal Highness’ participation has further brought wider public attention to the importance of protecting Brunei’s reefs for future generations. The event was organised by Poni Group through its sustainability, conservation and innovation ecosystem, including Ocean Week Brunei, Poni Divers and Poni Foundation.
The initiative took place at the Fisheries Jetty, Department of Fisheries, Serasa where a total of 333 corals were successfully planted in the waters of Pelong Rocks. The event brought together divers, snorkellers, government agencies, companies, researchers, youth, volunteers and members of the wider ocean community for a hands-on reef restoration effort focused on coral planting, reef rehabilitation and marine awareness.
The coral planting activity was carried out under favourable sea and weather conditions, allowing the dive and marine teams to conduct the reef restoration work safely and effectively at Pelong Rocks.
Hibiscus EP (Brunei) BV Board of Director Datuk Dr Zaha Rina Zahari also joined the programme as a snorkeller, reflecting the growing support from corporate leaders and industry representatives in conservation-linked action.
Representatives from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam, Royal Brunei Police Force, Hibiscus EP (Brunei) BV, Takaful Brunei, Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad, the Prime Minister’s Office, Pejabat Wawasan Brunei under the Prime Minister’s Office, Brunei Economic Development Board and the Department of Fisheries also took part in the event.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of Poni Foundation and Chief Executive Officer of Poni Group Mohd Tahsin Wong Abdullah said Ocean Week Brunei 2026 carries an important message that Brunei’s ocean is not only something to protect, but also a source of jobs, community opportunities and future economic growth. He highlighted that conservation must go beyond awareness by creating systems, skills, data, long-term value and practical opportunities for communities.
He also shared that Ocean Week Brunei 2026 is brought together by the Poni Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, with the support of sponsors, partners, agencies and communities.
He mentioned that Ocean Week Brunei’s Official Launch has included international delegations from leading marine institutes in China and Timor-Leste, a blue economy conference with speakers from around the world, and the screening of The Invisible Catch, a documentary on illegal fishing.
Big Blue Hope was held as part of the wider Ocean Week Brunei programme, in conjunction with the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE) and World Ocean Day.
While MYCE serves as a national platform for knowledge-sharing, networking, investment, innovation and economic growth, Ocean Week Brunei brings this momentum directly to the ocean through conservation activities, public engagement, education and practical field action.
This year’s Big Blue Hope was positioned as the biggest coral planting event within Ocean Week Brunei 2026. It builds on the 2025 edition, where 310 corals were planted at Pelong Rocks, surpassing the previous record of 210 corals from an earlier edition.
The 2025 programme also gained strong national visibility through the participation of Her Royal Highness and Pengiran Anak Muneerah Madhul Bolkiah binti Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota Pengiran Muda Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, who both took part in underwater coral planting activities.
The reef restoration work used artificial reef structures like reef balls and coral planting methods designed to support coral growth, fisheries rehabilitation and biodiversity recovery over time.
Coral fragments were prepared and secured onto reef structures to encourage ecological recovery, create habitats for marine life and contribute to healthier reef systems.
Chairman of Poni Foundation and CEO of Poni Group Mohd Tahsin Wong Abdullah also explained that coral planting work this year has started to include the use of artificial intelligence and video through StreamOcean, eDNA testing, new coral clips and Reef Cloud to better measure biodiversity and reef recovery.
Proper measurement will be important for future nature-based credits, international funding opportunities and scaling up restoration efforts.
He added that encouraging results are already being seen at existing reef ball sites, with fish returning and coral growing. Current plans include 50 more reef balls at Pelong Rocks, 50 at Jerudong and 50 at Kuala Belait for Fishermen Day.
The Jerudong and Kuala Belait reef balls are especially important as they are intended not only for conservation, but also to support new fishing grounds for fishermen.
The event also connected with the wider blue economy pilot direction being launched through Ocean Week Brunei 2026.
These include the Carbon AKAR Project, which supports companies to measure carbon emissions, plant mangroves and create community jobs; the Warisan Oyster Project, which uses oysters to help clean waterways, support Water Village communities and explore blue carbon opportunities; and TRACKS Brunei, which focuses on turtle conservation, technology, hatcheries and future monitoring programmes for marine wildlife such as dugongs and whale sharks.
Ocean Week Brunei 2026 continues with the Mangrove Restoration Pilot Launch, Brunei Ocean Exhibition at OneCity, the launch of Brunei’s first dive book by Ram Yoro with a foreword by Her Royal Highness, a beach clean-up, turtle hatchery breaking ground, Fishermen Day, Youth Forum and Ocean Week Brunei Gala Night. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
