Image: Vanuatu Daily Post Key Agencies with border responsibilities are the VPF (including the Transnational Crime Unit, the Maritime Wing, and the VMF); Immigration Department; Department of Customs and Inland Revenue; Department of Biosecurity; Quarantine and Inspection Service; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade; Ports Vanuatu; and Airports Vanuatu. Close cooperation between these agencies is essential. Emerging issues are commercial espionage, threats to intellectual property rights, and the infiltration of outlaw motorcycle gang members known to have links to organised crime. Terrorists have not established a foothold in the Pacific, but Vanuatu along with other countries needs to be alert to this possibility, particularly if in the future terrorist groups perceive the region to be a “soft” target. Vanuatu’s fishing sector contributes to food security, and social and economic development. As noted in the Vanuatu Monitoring, Control, Surveillance and Inspection Plan, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities contribute to overfishing and depletion of fish stocks. The Pacific is the world’s largest tuna fishery, and vessels from several Asian countries in particular are engaged across the region, including Vanuatu, in legal fishing under license, with a number also involved in IUU activities. Fisheries crimes are highly organised, complex, and mobile transnational crimes. International cooperation as Monitoring and protecting Vanuatu’s 650,000 square kilometre EEZ is essential for economic, environmental and sovereignty reasons. A priority is resolving Vanuatu’s EEZ boundary with New Caledonia - Vanuatu has a long-standing difference with France over a large area of EEZ - and with Fiji, in line with the commitment by Forum Leaders to resolve outstanding maritime boundary claims. 30 Part 2. Building a happy and secure future

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