Ratu Inoke Highlights Maritime Needs And Vulnerabilities
The security of a nation’s maritime domain relies heavily on the availability of accurate maritime geospatial information.
The Minister for Defence and National Security, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola made this statement yesterday while addressing the 15th South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission at the Tokatoka Resort in Nadi.
The two-day conference was attended by respective national hydrographic officials from within the associate member states of the commission, which includes New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and Papua New Guinea. Natural phenomenon, he added, including climate change and natural disasters, have a continuing profound impact on maritime nations like Fiji and other small island states.
“The responblity of ensuring safe economical routes, sea lanes of communication and the management of its economic exclusive zone lies solely in the hands of the coastal states,” Ratu Inoke said.
Fiji, he said, as a small island developing state was highly reliant on its maritime related industries, especially on its blue economic activities, which contributed to twothirds of its annual revenue.
“The country is also the destination to many pleasure craft including cruise liners and super yachts due to reliable port facilities and services,” Ratu Inoke said. With the country’s geographical location as the hub of the Pacific, he added that there was a need to have well surveyed harbours, which was also paramount to ensure the safe navigation of vessels in waters within our jurisdiction. Ratu Inoke also acknowledged the efforts and work done by the South West Pacific Hydrographic Commission over the last 25 years. He said there had been significant achievements with regard to the development and implementation of international chart schemes and electronic navigational chart coverage.
The conference ends today.