Forty five infringements have been picked up by the Royal New Zealand Navy Inshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS Hawea, which has boarded about 250 vessels since arriving in Fiji in late April to help Fiji with maritime surveillance.
Lieutenant Dave Luhrs, the Commanding Officer of Hawea, said the infringements included vessels fishing without licences, illegal use of underwater breathing apparatus for fishing, dumping of rubbish at sea and safety infringements such as not holding master’s licences, not having life jackets and overloading of vessels.
Hawea is conducting its sixth patrol with staff from the Republic of Fiji Navy, Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries and Forests and Revenue and Customs Authority.
The HMNZS Hawea is in Fiji for six months to help patrol its territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.
