Australia Lends Patrol Boat To Curb IUU Fishing In Tuvaluan Waters

17 October 2024

Australia handed over a patrol boat ‘Te Mataili III’ to Tuvalu yesterday to combat IUU fishing within its tuna-rich EEZ. The ceremony held in Western Australia was attended by Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo and Australian Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh. The boat is a replacement of ‘Te Mataili II’ which was destroyed by cyclones Judy and Kevin in March last year while it was stationed in Vanuatu. The vessel will enhance Tuvalu’s participation in regional operations such as those led by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), which coordinates fisheries patrols and surveillance to protect the region’s vital tuna fisheries, reported local media.

This initiative was carried out under the ‘Falepili Union’ treaty signed last year. “It was inked upon Tuvalu’s request of Australia to help safeguard the future of Tuvalu. The Treaty covers three main areas of collaboration: climate cooperation, mobility with dignity, and shared security,” read a statement from the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office.

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