The Royal New Zealand Navy says it will continue to work closely with their Fijian counterparts to conduct maritime patrols in the Fiji waters.

A Royal New Zealand Navy patrol vessel HMNZS Taupo is in the country for a three month operation to conduct combined maritime patrols with the Fiji Navy.

Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Tim Gall says the combined maritime surveillance patrols with Fiji will also contribute to region-wide efforts to promote sustainable fishing.

“That’s a big priority for New Zealand and off course we have our own issues in NZ as well with our own Exclusive Economic Zone, it’s very large as it is in Fiji and very hard to Police but very important to Police as it’s a very important resource for both countries.”

Major General Gall adds Fiji and New Zealand are committed to protecting valuable Pacific fishery resources.

This is the second consecutive year the New Zealand Defense Force is assisting Fiji patrol its Exclusive Economic Zone of over 1.1million square kilometers.

Meanwhile, the HMNZS Taupo will also carry out training for Fiji Navy sailors and officers from the Fisheries Ministry and FRCS.