The US Coast Guard and Navy have completed a 40-day joint mission in the Central and South Pacific to combat transnational crimes, enforce fisheries laws and enhance regional security.
Under the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI), a Coast Guard law enforcement detachment embarked USS Spruance (DDG 111) and conducted 20 fisheries enforcement boardings with the assistance of the Navy's Visit, Board, Search and Seizure team and enforcement shipriders from the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau.
Ten of the boardings were conducted on the high seas under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission guidelines, with one potential violation for tampering with a vessel monitoring system found. The other 10 were conducted in the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau exclusive economic zones, with three violations of improper logging of catch and one violation for lack of a bait fishing permit found.
"As captain of this ship, I am absolutely proud of the achievements, the success and the proficiency of this war fighting ship called Spruance," said Cmdr. Manuel Hernandez, commanding officer, Spruance. "Not only from the tangible aspect of conducting 20 boardings, but also in strengthening our strategic partnerships in the area."
Boarding teams inspected documentation and fish holds for illegal activity and compliance with conservation and management measures. Coast Guard teams and Pacific Island Nation shipriders routinely conduct joint boardings within the host country's exclusive economic zones to protect the ocean and the living marine resources within.
"Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing undermines efforts to conserve and manage global fish stocks," said Coast Guard Cmdr. Richard Howes, chief of enforcement, Coast Guard 14th District response division. "The OMSI mission along with our partnerships with Australia, New Zealand, France, and Pacific Island Nations helps deter illegal fishing and promote economic and environmental stability in the region."
