The Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau says they have been very professional in the control of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone when it comes to tuna fishing.

Koroilavesau says this has been possible with the assistance of the Forum Fisheries Agency, the government of New Zealand, Australia, the US and France.

He says that one of the biggest impact they have had was the help for HMNZS Hawea.

“I said it was a bit embarrassing for fisheries to see the number of reports that have been coming from Hawea in the coastal fisheries and the license that the vessels that were inspected during the patrols.”

The Minister also adds that Hawea has created a more public awareness on the coastal fisheries and it also initiated them to ask government for the establishment for coastal fisheries division within the ministry.