New Zealand and Fiji authorities have inspected 160 vessels in Fiji waters during combined maritime patrols since June.
About 160 vessels in Fijian waters were inspected during combined maritime surveillance patrols by New Zealand and Fiji agencies since June. Photo: NZDF
It is the second consecutive year the New Zealand Defence Force has deployed navy vessels to help Fiji patrol its 1.2 million square kilometres of ocean.
The first phase of this year's patrols were conducted by the inshore patrol vessel HMNZS Taupo, with the offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Otago taking over in September.
Six fishery officers and two shore-based fisheries analysts from New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries also supported the boarding and inspection of vessels at sea.
The combined operation involved personnel from the New Zealand Defence Force, New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, Republic of Fiji Navy, and Fiji’s Ministry of Fisheries and Revenue and Customs Service. Photo: NZDF
Fiji's Director of Fisheries Aisake Batibasaga said the New Zealand agencies provided excellent support to Fiji in enforcing its fisheries rules and regulations.
About 1,160 hours were spent on patrol during the combined operation which covered 23,000 kilometres and also involved personnel from the Republic of Fiji Navy, Fiji's Ministry of Fisheries, Revenue and Customs Service.