Royal New Zealand Navy’s frigate HMNZS Wellington has arrived in Honiara after helping New Zealand’s South West Pacific neighbours patrol for illegal and unlicensed fishing activity in their waters.
The vessel sailed from New Caledonia last Friday carrying two Senior Agents from the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), and two Senior Agents from the Vanuatu Police Force (Maritime) to conduct a combined patrol of the Vanuatu and Solomon Islands’ Exclusive Economic Zones.
During the patrol three vessels targeting tuna species were hailed inside Vanuatu waters and two more were hailed in the Solomon Islands region.
The Navy assisted a combined team of Vanuatu Police Force and RSIPF to successfully board two of the five boats. The team checked the vessels’ information and confirmed there were no infringements.
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Image: RNZN