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Under the provisions of the Fisheries Act (Cap. 391 section 4), the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture has the legal authority for management and development of fisheries in Barbados and for the administration of the Fisheries Act. The Fisheries Division is also responsible for: performing research and data collection for assessing the state of the various fisheries and suggesting conservation and development methods; the registration of fishermen and vessels; inspecting fishing vessels in accordance with local and international standards; and providing haul up and launch services for local fishing vessels. For the latter a fee is charged. According to the authorities, the fee structure for all services is under review.

The Fisheries Act provides the legal authority for the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) in terms of “schemes for the management and development of fisheries in the waters of Barbados. The FMP forms the basis for fisheries policy, management (both conservation and development), administration and the formulation or implementation of fisheries-related legislation. The Fisheries (Management) Regulations (1998) contain technical requirements and regulate the fisheries of certain species.

Local fisheries are currently open-access to nationals with Barbadian citizens having access to the resources. The authorities consider it imperative that effective management measures be put in place to prevent overexploitation of fisheries resources, to allow rebuilding those species that are depleted and to ensure resource sustainability for present and future generations of Barbadians. To this end, the authorities put in place an FMP (Fisheries Management Plan), which was in operation between 2004 and 2006. The FMP contained information on the status of the local fishing industry and the planning processes used to develop the plan. It outlined strategies for the development and management of the fishing industry to ensure its sustainable contribution to the nutritional, economic and social well-being of Barbadians. The authorities are currently implementing fishery management plans for three fisheries: large pelagics, eastern Caribbean flying fish and sea urchins.

The authorities are cognizant of the challenges facing the fisheries sector. These include: overfishing, pollution, degradation of habitat and impact of climate change. (…)

The maritime sector in Barbados is governed by the Shipping Act, Cap. 296 (as amended); the Shipping Regulations, 1994; the Shipping (oil pollution) Act, Cap. 296A; the Shipping Corporations Act; and the Shipping Corporations Regulations, 1997.

Under the Vision 2035, Brunei Darussalam has identified 8 strategies with reference to different dimensions of development, conceptualised as follows:
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• Security strategy is to safeguard political stability and sovereignty as a nation and link our defence and diplomatic capabilities and our capacity to respond to threats from disease and natural catastrophe.
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• Environment strategy is to ensure the proper conservation of our natural environment and cultural habitat. It will provide health and safety in line with the highest international practices.

At the sub-regional level, Brunei Darussalam, as a member of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), continues to engage in BIMP-EAGA cooperation which are now streamlined into four pillars; (i) enhancing connectivity within BIMP-EAGA as well as with other regions outside of BIMP-EAGA; (ii) establishing BIMP-EAGA as the food basket for ASEAN and the rest of Asia; (iii) promoting BIMP-EAGA as a premier regional tourism destination; and (iv) ensuring the sustainable management of the environment.

As the signatories to the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement, Brunei is involved in the negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, together with Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the United States of America and Viet Nam. The TPP is aimed at achieving a plurilateral ‘21st century’ free trade agreement that will further liberalise and integrate the economies of the Asia-Pacific. The TPP involves disciplines on areas such as the Environment, Government Procurement and Labour, amongst others. (…)

The Energy Department, Prime Minister’s Office (EDPMO) was formed in 2011 upon the merger of the Energy Division at the Prime Minister’s Office and the Petroleum Unit. This move was part of the efforts by the Government in further enhancing policy and decision-making in the Energy sector. Reporting directly to the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, the EDPMO is responsible for developing national energy policies in several key areas of the energy sector including oil and gas, development of downstream industries, local business development and local content, energy efficiency and conversation, renewable energy and electricity.

Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (TDD) is responsible for developing tourism industry and position the country as distinct tourism destination in the region – while upholding the nation’s philosophy of Malay, Islamic, Monarchy and supporting the national inclusiveness, sustainability and green growth agenda . (…)