AFMA officers attended the Australian Maritime College (AMC) to deliver training in investigations to officers at the Pacific Patrol Boat Officers Surveillance Course in Launceston from 13 to 17 November 2014.
The course was attended by twelve officers from the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Pacific Island countries including Tonga, Federated State of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Palau, Samoa, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Tonga and Tuvalu.
The five day course covered subjects including evidence collection, admissibility of evidence, record of interviews, statement writing and note taking. A one day practical exercise was also conducted on board a fishing vessel focusing on inspection of catch equipment and logbooks. The boarding and investigation activity ensured that officers were able to put into practice the skills and knowledge developed during the course which in turn will enhance surveillance and enforcement efforts in their respective countries.