well as effective national measures are
essential to combat this problem. Vanuatu
has a number of measures in place to
combat IUU fishing, but these need
strengthening.
The transition to the new patrol boat in
2021 will provide a good opportunity
for Vanuatu to review and strengthen
the policing of illegal and unauthorised
activity in Vanuatu waters and the EEZ by
fishing vessels, ships and private yachts.
Vanuatu’s history has illustrated the
importance of robust health and
quarantine controls.
Pandemics have been a rising security
threat world-wide, particularly Ebola,
Zika, influenza and H1N1. Meanwhile air
links, and the prospect of direct flights
from new points of origin, particularly
in Asia, underline the need for effective
Point-of-Entry screening and a strong
commitment to comply with International
Health Regulations. Vanuatu has been
strengthening border controls in recent
times, for example by upgrading the
screening of passenger arrivals, and of the
enforcement of the rules for overstayers
and foreign workers. However significant
vulnerabilities remain and, while
difficult to quantify, there is evidence of
illegal or unauthorised entry by vessels,
people and goods into Vanuatu and its
waters. A comprehensive review of this
sector would be timely. Areas of focus
should include any gaps in legislation
and institutional frameworks such as
management plans, MoUs and operating
procedures; personnel and training;
equipment; whole-of-Government
coordination; and engagement with
regional and international organisations
and development partners.
Close working collaboration and
exchange of information between
border agencies is essential. There are
useful mechanisms already in place,
such as the 2018 MoU between the
VPF and the Immigration Department,
and semi-regular joint meetings of
agencies. However, whole-of-government
The Forum Fisheries Agency, based
in Honiara, is the lead agency
in the region for surveillance of
IUU fishing activities. It is one of
a number of regional agencies,
under the umbrella of the Pacific
Islands Forum, which are vital for
security and border management
cooperation between member
countries. Agencies include the
Pacific Transnational Crime
Coordination Centre (PTCCC); the
Oceania Customs Organisation
(OCO); the Pacific Immigration
Development Community (PIDC);
and the Pacific Islands Chiefs of
Police (PICP) organisation.
31
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