[Photo: FILE]

Fiji Ports Corporation Limited has acknowledged that illegal activities do occur within Fiji’s maritime space.

While presenting the Fiji Ports Corporation Limited Annual Report 2020–2023, Harbour Master Laisiasa Gonewai said incidents have been recorded involving people boarding and staying on abandoned vessels.

He said authorities have worked with the Fiji Police to investigate and address such cases, ensuring any illegal activities on these vessels are dealt with.

Gonewai clarified that drug-related activities have occurred outside port boundaries, but strict monitoring and control measures are in place within port areas.

“What has happened is that we have brought in police to be part of the investigation and to mitigate anything illegal that is happening on those abandoned vessels. Apart from that, drug-related incidents have happened outside the port boundaries. But we have strict measures to monitor and control activities in place.”

Standing Committee member Joseph Nand also questioned whether abandoned vessels were being used to harbour illegal immigrants.

“Through your observation, these abandoned vessels in the harbour—are they actually harbouring illegal immigrants? Is that the case?”

In response, Gonewai clarified that this was not the case, explaining that those found on board were mostly foreign seafarers, particularly from fishing vessels, who had been left behind by vessel owners.

He said Fiji Ports has been working with relevant agencies and foreign embassies to assist in repatriating these individuals.

Gonewai further highlighted improvements in port monitoring, including the introduction of a Vessel Traffic Management System.

This system uses multiple technologies, such as automatic identification systems, radar capable of detecting steel vessels, and PTZ cameras that allow operators to track and record vessel movements within the harbour for security and investigation purposes.