The Royal New Zealand Navy Inshore Patrol Vessel – HMNZS HAWEA has inspected around 480 vessels and detected 78 infringements since Monday.
The HMNZS Hawea has been in Fiji since April to help patrol the South West Pacific country’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone.
The ship has completed 10 combined fisheries and customs patrols.
Each patrol lasts about a week.
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Brock West told FBC News most of the infringements had to do with safety issues and vessel documents.
“Some of the infringements range from people not having their life saving equipment’s, life jackets, some of their buoys are incorrectly marked right up to dumping rubbish at sea or not having fishing permits or licenses.”
Personnel from Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries and Forest, Fiji Revenue & Customs services, Fiji Navy and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries are taking part in the patrols.
Combined training is being achieved between the RNZN and the RFN as crew members of HAWEA learn about our waters, reef navigation and the local culture.
