Recent maritime surveillance patrols by New Zealand and Fiji agencies have identified six commercial fishing vessels fishing illegally in a traditional fishing ground, or iqoliqoli.
HMNZS Taupo Photo: NZ Defence Force
The Director of Fisheries in Fiji, Aisake Batibasaga, said Fiji fisheries officers, together with New Zealand and Fiji navy personnel boarded and inspected the vessels in Qelelevu Lagoon.
He said the six vessels were identified after information was received by the Fiji Naval Division's Maritime Surveillance Centre.
A substantial quantity of fish was found on the vessels, none of which were licensed to fish in the iqoliqoli area, said Mr Batibasaga.
The entire catch was confiscated and then dumped back into the sea.
For the second consecutive year, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has deployed a Royal New Zealand Navy inshore patrol vessel, HMNZS Taupo, to help Fiji patrol its exclusive economic zone of more than 1.2 million square kilometres.
Two fishery officers from New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are part of the mission..
