US Coast Guard Ship Here To Help Enhance Our Maritime Border Surveillance
United States Embassy Charge d’Affaires Tony Grubel said this was part of the bilateral shiprider agreements between the two countries.
Wednesday 09 February 2022 | 09:20
Crew of the US Coast Guard ship 752, which berthed at the Kings wharf in Suva on February 8, 2022. Photo: Ronald Kumar
A United States Coast Guard Ship is in Fiji to enhance the country’s maritime border surveillance to help protect Fiji’s fisheries resources.
Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defence Manasa Lesuma said the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton berthed at the Kings Wharf in Suva was the first naval vessel to visit the country since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
In this visit, three Fijian officials will join the 150 crew members of the ship to conduct patrols in the Fijian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in an aim to deter and stop illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
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Agreement
United States Embassy Charge d’Affaires Tony Grubel said this was part of the bilateral shiprider agreements between the two countries.
“Stratton will embark three ship riders from customs, fisheries and Fijian Navy to ride along and conduct patrols in support of the sovereignty of Fiji and her bountiful marine resources,” Mr Grubel said.
The mission enables both countries to learn, train and serve together against a variety of threats including illegal fishing.
Stratton’s commanding officer Captain Stephen Adler said they were pleased to work with their Fijian partners to maintain maritime sovereignty and security throughout the region.
“Our relationships with our partner nations are more important than ever in combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,” Captain Adler said.
“Bilateral shiprider agreements are a force multiplier for both Fiji and the Coast Guard because they allow Fijian law enforcement personnel to observe, protect, board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Fijian waters with the support of Coast Guard personnel and vessels.”
Deputy Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Captain Humphrey Tawake said: “It’s all about working together, it enhances the capacity that we have when we are out there at sea, on board a US naval ship where we will be able to board vessels of interest in our EEZ and also provide training capacity as well to our officers.”
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