5 Fijian officials join the US Coast Guard Cutter Munro on patrol

5 Fijian officials join the US Coast Guard Cutter Munro on patrol

By Semi Turaga
Thursday 21/04/2022
US Coast Guard Cutter Munro, Captain Blake Novak

Five Fijian officials from the Ministry of Fisheries, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Immigration Department and Fiji Navy have been onboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Munro in the last few days to observe, board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Fijian waters.

The Commanding Officer of the US Coast Guard Cutter Munro, Captain Blake Novak says they departed their home port in Alameda in California in late March to participate in operation Blue Pacific which is focused on supporting their Pacific Island partner nations and territories to bolster maritime safety and security in the region.

He says one of the ways they do this is through integrated efforts to counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing which takes away jobs and negatively impacts the economy of island nations.

Captain Novak adds over the past few days, they enacted the bilateral ship-rider agreement between the United States and Fiji.

He says this agreement allows them to embark Fijian enforcement representatives to observe, protect, board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Fijian waters.

Captain Novak says in addition, the ship-rider program provides them the opportunity to share best practices on how to conduct enforcement activities safely when operating in high risk environments.

He adds the Munro supported officials from the Ministry of Fisheries, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Immigration Department and Fiji Navy in conducting multiple boardings to enforce Fijian laws and regulations in Fijian waters.

The US Coast Guard Cutter Munro was commissioned in 2017 and is the sixth Legend-class cutter of the United States Coast Guard.

Munro is named after Douglas A. Munro who is the only Coast Guardsman to be awarded the Medal of Honour.


FEATURE NEWS
Health Ministry controls HIV medication due to limited stock
The Health Ministry is now controlling the distribution of crucial HIV medication as they only have supplies sufficient for a one-month dose per patie...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Woman to appear in Nabouwalu Magistrates Court for allegedly scamming victim of $165
A 40-year-old woman, who is facing charges of obtaining financial advantage, will appear in the Nabouwalu Magistrates Court today. Police say on ...
1 hour ago

LTA CEO urges caution after King's Road crash that sends 18 passengers to hospital
Failure to follow road safety measures led to a serious accident yesterday afternoon on King’s Road, Vitogo, Lautoka where a bus collided with a ...
3 hours ago

Bala asks who are these sources that covered 91% of costs while DPM Prasad says Bala should do some research
Deputy Leader of the Opposition Parveen Bala says the recent statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, ...
12 hours ago

GCC members hope for a review of the 2013 Constitution
The Great Council of Chiefs hopes that the 2013 Constitution will be reviewed after the Solicitor General updated the members in today’s meeting ...
12 hours ago

Residents from Lami to Nausori likely to face water cuts due to water turbidity
Thousands of residents living in areas between Lami to Nausori are likely to face water cuts due to a steady increase in raw water turbidity levels ...
16 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
6 days ago

Continuous Radiology and Pharmacy services are now expected at Government Hospitals
Serious concerns are being raised by the public as the Ministry of Health has decided that radiology services and pharmacies at Government hospitals ...
6 days ago

Ratu Wiliame Katonivere declines Presidential nomination after an internal audit and investigation report
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka confirms that President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere decided to decline Rabuka's nomination of him to serve a second term ...
7 days ago

TOP