When most start planning their island holiday, indulging in local seafood is one of the first things that comes to mind. Australia works closely with our regional neighbours, including Vanuatu to help ensure that there is a good supply of local seafood to enjoy, and importantly that it remains that way for many years to come. AFMA conducts extensive capacity building work to help improve fisheries compliance frameworks in the Pacific and ensure sustainable fisheries management.
To that end, two Fisheries Officers from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) travelled to Vanuatu earlier in June to provide training to the Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing and Vanuatu Fisheries. The training was delivered to 14 Vanuatu officers through in-class theory and practical exercises included elements on fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance and boarding and inspections of fishing vessels.
Following the week of training the AFMA officers participated in a patrol onboard the Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing Patrol Vessel, Tukoro, targeting fishing vessels in the Vanuatu Exclusive Economic Zone.
Australia works closely with Pacific Island countries through these initiatives to strengthen surveillance and enforcement networks that support the long term sustainable management of fisheries in the region.