HONOLULU – The Coast Guard welcomed Pacific Island bilateral partners for the annual week-long Shiprider Symposium to strengthen regional partnerships in Honolulu, Hawaii, September 16-20, 2024.
The Symposium served as an opportunity for Pacific Island countries signatory to bilateral maritime law enforcement agreements with the United States to gather and share best practices, exchange information among subject matter experts, and foster collaboration and understanding among participating nations.
These agreements with Pacific Island countries are used to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and other potential illicit activities while working to improve maritime domain awareness in partner nations’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs). They are particularly important within Oceania due to the large EEZs, transboundary highly migratory fish stocks, and limited maritime enforcement resources. Through collaboration with partners, these agreements serve as an extension of the Pacific Islands’ capacity to patrol maritime zones and enforce sovereign rights. Furthermore, the agreements allow partner law enforcement officials to deploy on board authorized vessels to patrol and perform maritime law enforcement activities.
“We were honored to host our Pacific Island partners to discuss best practices, learn, and strengthen our relationships as we work together to combat illicit maritime activity,” said Capt. Thomas D’Arcy, chief of response at Coast Guard District 14. “The Shiprider Symposium is a testament to the commitment we share with the Pacific Islands and the importance of cooperation and collaboration in addressing global maritime challenges throughout the region.”
Pacific partners from Republic of Palau, Cook Islands, Republic of Marshall Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Samoa, along with the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Secretariat, Pacific Quadrilateral Defense Coordinating Group (P-QUAD) representatives, Maritime Surveillance (MSA) officers, and U.S. Coast Guard partners gathered to maintain and strengthen valuable partnerships across the region.
Throughout the week, attendees saw presentations from Coast Guard and partner agencies and organizations, including NOAA, FFA, and UNODC), discussing Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission information, partnerships, and other interagency cooperation. The group also conducted high seas boarding training, mock vessel boardings, cutter tours at Coast Guard Base Honolulu, and toured Air Station Barbers Point with a HC-130 Hercules airplane overflight.
The Coast Guard remains committed to working closely with its international partners to ensure a safe, secure, and sustainable maritime environment and Oceania region.
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