SUVA, 28 APRIL 2017 (FBC NEWS) — The Fisheries Ministry has recently introduced a vessel monitoring system to help in the surveillance of Fiji Exclusive Economic Zone.
This was highlighted by Fisheries Minister Semi Koroilavesau in parliament this week.
“Each vessel that is fishing within the Exclusive Economic Zone has beacons that are monitored by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in Honiara. So vessel movements within its territory either it be Fiji or any other Pacific Islands is basically monitored and these reports are also given by the fishing vessels that are legally fishing to report any legal activity within their area of responsibilities.”
Screen shot from video footage recording fishing activities onboard fishing vessel Photo Credit: Satlink.
Koroilavesau says they also have observers in all licensed fishing vessels that carry out inspections while the boat is out at sea.
The Ministry also has an electronic system where units are installed on ships which make videos of activities on board.
