FOCUS ON ILLEGAL FISHING, ILLICIT DRUGS
Illegal fishing and illicit drugs will be the target of a patrolling operation in Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) involving the Royal New Zealand Navy patrol vessel HMNZS Taupo.
The HMNZS Taupo, with a complement of 24 personnel, arrived in Suva waters yesterday ready to undertake the three-month patrol under an agreement between the Fijian Government and New Zealand government.
This is the second consecutive year that the New Zealand Defence Force is providing maritime patrol support to Fiji after the Hawea vessel returned to New Zealand on December, late last year after a seven month deployment.
The New Zealand Navy will conduct combined maritime patrols with the Fiji Navy over the next three months. HMNZS Taupo commanding officer Lieutenant Benjamin Flight said this initiative was to strengthen the ties between Fiji and New Zealand and their military forces. “The combined maritime surveillance operations with Fiji would contribute to the multinational effort to ensure sustainable management of fishery resources in the South West Pacific,” Lieutenant Flight said.
“We hope to learn from each other and further strengthen the ties between our two militaries.
“We also expect the patrols to deepen collaboration between New Zealand and Fiji government agencies and strengthen defence co-operation between the two countries. “The primary vision of the deployment is to ensure the security and prosperity of Fijians by undertaking maritime security patrols, surveillance, boarding operations and operations to search and rescue call-outs.
“We will be ensuring there is no illegal fishing as we have two fishery officers from New Zealand who are part of the trip and also two from the Fijian Ministry of Fisheries will be with us during the three month deployment. “Personnel from Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority and the Fijian Navy will plan and lead the patrol. “We will also be checking superyachts and other vessels to ensure that no illicit drugs are brought into the country. As this is one way that illicit drugs are brought into Fiji,” he said. A World Bank report states that the Western and Central Pacific Ocean, regions that include the Pacific Island countries, supply about 60 per cent of the world’s tuna.
Pacific Island countries supply 34 per cent of the world’s tuna catch each year, with an estimated value of US$3.4 billion (FJ$7.06bn) in recent years Commander Joint Forces Major General Tim Gall said the combined maritime surveillance patrols with Fiji would also contribute to region-wide efforts to promote sustainable fishing.
“Together with Fiji authorities, we want to reinforce the message that we are committed to protecting valuable Pacific fishery resources,” Major General Gall said. “New Zealand and Fiji, as well as other countries in the region, have a shared interest in ensuring these resources are managed effectively,” he said.
The combined maritime patrols with Fiji last year achieved strong results, with about 550 vessels boarded and 110 alleged infringements detected. About 50 Fiji Navy sailors, 27 Customs Officers and 19 Fishery Officers also trained on Hawea.
Fiji Minister for Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau acknowledged the New Zealand Defence Force for their continued support towards Fiji’s maritime patrol.
“The Government of Fiji has demonstrated a strong commitment to strengthening the management of our fishery resources for the benefit of the people of Fiji,” Mr Koroilavesau said.
“The support of New Zealand, through the NZDF, and the collaboration with our partner-agencies such as the Fiji Navy contribute greatly to the Government achieving this goal,” he said.