The Republic of Fiji Navy vessel Kikau recently returned from a maritime surveillance patrol of Fiji’s northern and eastern side of Fiji’s Exclusive Economic Zone and territorial waters.
According to the RFN, the patrol was part of a planned routine tasked to safeguard national maritime sovereignty and protection of maritime resources such as fisheries.
“RFNS Kikau conducted a number of at sea boarding of Tuna longline vessels and inshore fisheries boardings where a vessel of interest was apprehended for illegal fishing,”the navy stated.
“Maritime surveillance patrol of Fiji waters is an integral part of the Navy’s role in maritime security and supporting Fiji’s blue economy.”
RFNS Kikau (202) is a Pacific Forum patrol boat operated by Fiji. She was designed and built by Australia.
Australia agreed to provide twenty-two patrol boats to twelve of its neighbours and fellow members of the Pacific Forum, after the recently concluded United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea extended maritime nations’ exclusive economic zone to 200 kilometres (110 nmi).
Australia had provided two other patrol vessels to Fiji, Kula and Kiro.
The navy also reported that members of the RFN were recently onboard the Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Canterbury for a HADR exercise.
“Fiji Navy sailors are onboard as seariders to learn and gain knowledge in basic seamanship and general ship operations while the ship is underway,” the RFN said.
“The 12 RFN seariders also included seven females who are on their first at sea trip since joining the Navy late last year.”
The navy stated that its sailors were provided an introduction in helicopter and landing craft operations.
