The Fiji Navy is deeply concerned about the continuation of crimes committed at sea which include illegal fishing in our Exclusive Economic Zone so they’re stepping up enforcement.
Fleet Operations Officer Commander Natuva also revealed that while they will provide safety at sea, their offshore maritime patrols will be led by fisheries officers to counter illegal fishing while customs officers will be on the lookout for customs breaches.
He says further plans are in place to have more regulatory authorities on board.
“There are also plans in place to have the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji to be part of the group so if there are any breaches over the ship safety then MSAF will take the lead role. So we’ve gone from having only the fisheries officer there so we’ve included customs and MSAF and possibly the Police as well.”
Commander Natuva says they’re also working beyond catching the culprits involved in illegal and unregulated fishing to policing other crimes at sea as well.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Navy says enforcing the Port State measures Arrangement will refuse port entry or access to port services, including landing and transhipment of fish, to foreign-flagged vessels known to have engaged in Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
