The Government is hoping to work more closely with the US Coast Guard and the Navy in improving surveillance and information sharing between Pacific states.

 

This is after Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama acknowledged the United States of America for its broad partnership with Fiji and the Pacific region in maritime cooperation.

 

The Prime Minister met the Commandant of the U.S Coast Guard Admiral Linda L. Fagan at the U.S Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington DC to discuss maritime cooperation between Fiji and the USA.

 

The Prime Minister thanked Admiral Fagan for her leadership in expanding the US Coast Guard and Fiji partnership through our ship-rider agreement, the frequent visits to our region, and the increased interaction between our men and women.

 

Bainimarama said this is already bearing significant results for the 1.3 million square miles of Blue Pacific as well as the broader Pacific region.

 

He informed the Commandant that non-traditional threats are growing. This includes tuna and other shipping-related industries being used by drug cartels, and illegal and under-reported fishing.

 

He said small Island states with limited naval and other surveillance capabilities face considerable challenges in managing their waters as well as monitoring activities on the high seas.

 

In his capacity as chair of the PIF, Bainimarama also thanked the United States for its solidarity and commented that there was considerable scope for browsing partnerships between our two countries and the region.

 

Commandant Fagan welcomed Bainimarama to the Coast Guard Headquarters and said that she looked forward to visiting Fiji in the near future.

 

After the meeting, Bainimarama travelled on board a US Coast Guard boat for a tour of the Potomac River where he was further briefed on the work of the US Coast Guard.

 

By Romeka Romena