In the first of several collaborations with Small Island Developing States in 2019, Canadian fishery officers boarded US Coast Guard vessel Mellon in Honolulu, Hawaii and a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora patrol aircraft in Nadi, Fiji, in January for a two-week long patrol in the Pacific Ocean.
Working with the Department of National Defence and the United States Coast Guard, they patrolled around Fiji and the island nations of Kiribati, Tokelau, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu. IUU fishing is of particular concern in this area as several Small Island Developing States have some of the most vulnerable waters for IUU fishing, and need support from other nations.
“Partnerships like this one with Canada’s Department of National Defence and the United States Coast Guard , are the key to tackling IUU fishing that threatens many vulnerable coastal communities. We will continue to work with other countries and assist small island developing states in combating IUU fishing to increase security and protect the health of fish stocks around the world,” commented Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Over the course of the patrol, Canadian fishery officers were part of seven reconnaissance flights by the Aurora, to provide a visible surveillance presence and to help enforce the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission’s (WCPFC) conservation measures. The Aurora detected and documented 101 fishing vessels during the mission, providing critical data to the US Coast Guard patrol and the Forum Fisheries Agency, which coordinates enforcement amongst the island nations. The Canadian aircraft also patrolled the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, a UNESCO world heritage site where fishing is banned. The Aurora was able to ensure the area was clear of fishing activity during its patrol.
Fishery officers aboard the US Coast Guard vessel Mellon patrolled over 2875 square kilometres within the WCPFC convention area. They were also part of the enforcement team that boarded two vessels: one fishing vessel and one bunkering vessel.
These recent patrols were part of Canada’s international commitment to support fisheries on the high seas and tackle IUU fishing, which is a major contributor to declining fish stocks and marine habitat destruction around the world.
"The U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans have a long history of working together to ensure the viability of fish stocks off North America. Working with experts from Canada and regional leaders like Fiji is vital to ensuring food security and the rule of law in Oceania. Working together we are helping to ensure a more secure, free and open Indo-Pacific,” said USCG Capt. Robert Hendrickson, Chief of Response for Coast Guard 14th District.
