Monitoring of EEZ a vast responsibility - Natuva

Fiji’s resources are extremely stretched as the monitoring of the Economic Exclusive Zone is a vast responsibility.

Minister for Defense, National Security and Immigration Timoci Natuva made this clear while speaking on Fiji’s surveillance capability in terms of the monitoring of the Economic Exclusive Zone, and Search and Rescue.

Natuva says the Navy will submit their capability and capacity plans to enhance their competencies and resources to mitigate the vast responsibilities that they have.

He adds that under the Marine Safety Authority Regulations, all vessels that enter Fiji are monitored under the Automatic Identification System.

Natuva says the Search and Rescue budget has been increased to $200,000.

He says that Fiji currently utilizes local aircraft companies for Search and Rescue operations.

Government MP Mataiasi Niumataiwalu than raised the issue if the current system of surveillance and monitoring of the EEZ and search and rescue was achieving the desired objective of the government.

Natuva says their capabilities are limited at the moment.