Inspection teams have been honing their skills in high seas boarding and inspection at the Maritime Division Office in Avatiu, expanding the Cook Islands’ maritime surveillance capabilities when patrolling on board Te Kukupa II.
Officers from the Cook Islands Ministry of Marine Resources (MMR) and Police’s Maritime Division have been upskilling with the help of trainers from New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, and the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).
This training provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework that establishes the boarding and inspection regime established for high seas areas under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.
Officers have trained in planning and preparation for high seas patrols, monitoring and compliance requirements for binding conservation and management measures, conducting health and safety risk assessments, undertaking port-based boarding and inspections, and identifying discrepancies in fishing documentation discrepancies and utilisation of fisheries intelligence. Participants also learned about the tools and risk assessment methods used in the FFA Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre to identify and manage illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
MMR and the Maritime Police Division have a long history of working together to ensure the secure and effective management of the Cook Islands EEZ.
‘New recruits will have an exciting opportunity to broaden their skillsets and knowledge about surveillance activities beyond our EEZ, and how we collaborate in the region to make sure our tuna fisheries are protected. It’s also a great opportunity for senior maritime police and fisheries officers to share their knowledge and experience with their younger counterparts, including some who have been patrolling our waters since 1984,’ said MMR Secretary Pamela Maru.
‘It has been a few years since the Cook Islands participated in high seas boarding and inspections, and we are looking forward to expanding our surveillance capabilities to improve national but also regional fisheries operations.’
This training contributes to the broader efforts in ensuring the sustainability and legality of fishing activities in the Western Central Pacific Ocean. The skills and knowledge acquired through this training not only benefit the officers attending but also contribute to the collective efforts in combating IUU fishing activities and improving maritime domain awareness in the region.
