The FFA says the surveillance of fisheries is providing protection for Pacific people, Samoa transport companies threatened with fines, Jamaica boosts ties with Pacific and more.
Boat being deployed for vessel boarding inspection Photo: supplied FFA
FFA says surveillance of fisheries protects Pacific people
The Forum Fisheries Agency said ongoing surveillance of the region's fisheries is providing important economic protections for Pacific people.
It says with the region facing declines in growth rates due to the pandemic, the contribution from fisheries becomes even more important.
The latest, multi-national surveillance operation against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities, Rai Balang 2021, ended last week.
The operation provided maritime surveillance across 13.3 million square kilometres of the Pacific, during which 30 vessels were boarded.
It involved 11 surface ships and six surveillance aircraft.
The agency's Director General, Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen, said protecting the estimated $US1 billion that goes into island economies from the oceanic fisheries sector was now more important than ever.
"Protecting the income generated by our oceanic fisheries means protecting the incomes, jobs and livelihoods of many Pacific people, " Tupou-Roosen said.
"So many sectors have been decimated by this pandemic but we are doing all we can to protect this income stream."
Samoa transport companies threatened with fines
Samoa's National Emergency Operations Center has increased the fines against shipping companies and airlines which do not comply with State of Emergency safety orders.
TV1 Samoa reported centre Chairman Agafili Shem Leo saying they've have decided to raise the fines as a deterrent rather than as a revenue raiser.
He said two local companies had already been fined for breaking the safety regulations.
Agafili said the first time a company was fined it would cost them $US6000 and will increase to $US7800 for every other additional offence after that.
Jamaica boosts ties with Pacific
Jamaica is establishing diplomatic relations with a number of Pacific island countries.
The Caribbean nation has signed bilateral partnership agreements with Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu.
Cabinet Minister Fayval Williams said the pursuit of diplomatic relations with Pacific countries would cement Jamaica's strategic plans to establish a greater presence in the Pacfic and intensify relations with small island states.
Williams said there was scope for cooperation in multiple areas, including environment, health, disaster resilience, education, agriculture and fisheries.
Tonga commissions new police training building
A new Tonga Police College Training Block has been commissioned by King Tupou VI.
The multi-million dollar building was named after the late Honourable 'Akua'ola, who was Minister of Police for 27 years.
The building was funded by the Australian and New Zealand governments, with rooms furnished for training and meeting purposes.
Police Commissioner Stephen Caldwell told the official opening ceremony crime had reduced with 872 less offences compared to 2015.
Caldwell outlined the efforts been made to support the Tonga Police including government funding around $US650,000 for the financial year 2021-2022, the commitment for an additional 100 police officers, and approval of a remuneration review for police pay.
