SUVA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Fiji and the United States signed here on Monday an agreement to strengthen their cooperation to combat the illicit transnational maritime activities.
According to a Fijian government statement, the shiprider agreement was inked by Fijian Minister for Defence and National Security Ratu Inoke Kubuabola and U.S. embassy's Charge d' Affairs Michael Goldman.
Kubuabola said that the support by the U.S. government will significantly assist the Fiji Navy to enhance its capabilities in guarding the island nation's borders from illicit maritime threats and transnational activities.
"It will greatly assist our navy officials and border control to monitor the yachts and vessels entering our seas and combat the transnational crimes and trafficking along with the unreported and unregulated fishing," the minister said.
According to a press release from the U.S. embassay in Fiji, Goldman said that the shiprider agreement is designed to protect the Fiji's sovereignty and promote its ability to police its own waters.
"It provides the ability to identity and possibly interdict the ships that maybe involved in illicit activities and illegal fishing, narcotics and smuggling, "he said.
The agreement allows Fijian law enforcement officers to embark on U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy vessels to observe, protect, board, and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within their exclusive economic zones or on the high seas, the U.S. embassy said.
As a nation with more than 300 islands, Fiji has an exclusive economic zone of around 1.3 million square km.
