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Table 3.6 Prohibited imports, 2014
Product: 2. Java sparrows; Reason for prohibition: CITES
Product: 10. Shark products; Reason for prohibition: Food security and environment

Table 3.7 Restricted imports, 2014
Product: Rhinoceros horn and all other parts of or products derived from the carcass of a rhinoceros
Reason for restriction: CITES
Authorizing agency: DOAA

Product: Turtle eggs
Reason for restriction: CITES
Authorizing agency: DOAA

(…) Imports of a number of plants and materials from specific regions or countries may be prohibited to prevent entry of dangerous pests and diseases. All plant imports are subject to inspection by the DOAA on arrival in Brunei. Imports of soil (including attached to plant roots), are prohibited. Phytosanitary certificates for exports of agricultural materials may be obtained from the DOAA.

No genetically-modified labelling requirements are currently in force in Brunei.

Table 3.9 Restricted exports, 2014
Goods: Derris species (tuba)
Reason: Wildlife
Authorizing agency: Department of Agriculture and Agrifood (DOAA)

During the review period, Brunei created three grant schemes to support start-ups and innovation: (…) (ii) Local Enterprise Application and Product (LEAP) grant covers up to B$150,000 per project of local SMEs and students and staff from institutes of higher learning (IHLs) for the development of innovative products and applications with commercial and export potential in a broad range of clusters (e.g. ICT, robotics, engineering, nano technology, bio-tech, agriculture and aquaculture, and green technology) (…)

The Department of Fisheries (DoF), under the MIPR (Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources), is responsible for managing and administering fishery resources and fishing activities in Brunei's exclusive economic zone. Fisheries are governed by the Fisheries Order 2009 (S 25/09) , which came into force in 2009 and repealed the Fisheries Act (Chapter 61). Subsidiary legislation enacted under the Fisheries Act has remained in force, including the Fisheries Regulations.

Misuse of fishing licences and small scale fishermen without licences are reported to be among the most common problems in Brunei's waters. To address these issues, DoF has strengthened the surveillance programme and enhanced awareness of the importance of fishing licences among fishermen. Moreover, Brunei's "Action Plan To Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing" was launched in 2011. Its main objectives are in line with those of the Regional Action Plan to Combat IUU Fishing: (i) to enhance and strengthen the overall level of fisheries management in Brunei’s waters; (ii) to sustain fisheries resources and the marine environment; and (iii) to optimise the benefit of adopting responsible fishing practices. IUU fishing is estimated to cost Brunei over B$19 million annually.

During the review period, registration for fishing boats was introduced. The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Fishing Vessels and Pleasure Craft) Regulations 2011 (S 52/11) came into force in April 2012 and repealed the Merchant Shipping (Harbour and Pleasure Craft) Regulations 1986. The registration process was introduced to manage fishing boats as part of Brunei's efforts towards safety of vessels and security in Brunei's waters, including combating IUU fishing. The 2011 Regulations made fishing boat registration with the Marine Department mandatory prior to applying for a fishing licence. In addition, fishing gears must be licensed by DoF before registration of fishing boats is processed. Full implementation of the registration process may take time as capacity of the fishing community increases.

Fisheries' limits are divided into four zones indicated by a demarcation line based on depth and distance parallel from the shoreline: from 0 to 3 nautical miles (nm) seaward for Zone 1; 3.1-20 nm for Zone 2; 20.1-45 nm for Zone 3; and 45.1 nm to 200 nm for Zone 4. A moratorium on small-scale fishing in Zones 1 was implemented in January 2008 to ease the fishing pressure due to overfishing, and to protect the nursery and breeding grounds of fishes as well as the coral reef areas. Commercial fishing, such as trawling, purse seining and long lining are banned within Zone 1.