Fiji’s Navy Commander, Captain Timoci Natuva, emphasized the importance of collaboration among maritime agencies to effectively monitor and combat suspected drug trafficking activities within Fiji’s waters. He revealed that the Navy maintains a close working relationship with the Fiji Police Force through intelligence-sharing arrangements, enhancing their capability to respond to potential threats.
“We’ve been working with the police, sharing some information, so whenever we need to understand some of the vessels, they give us requests for information that we provide them,” Captain Natuva stated. Despite this cooperation, he noted that recent intelligence alerts have been limited, highlighting a potential gap in actionable information.
Efforts are being made to align and synchronize surveillance operations among the various agencies operating in the maritime domain. “We’re trying to synchronize all our efforts within the maritime space,” he remarked, underlining the ongoing attempts to improve efficiency and effectiveness in monitoring Fiji’s extensive waters.
Captain Natuva also pointed out the critical role of regional cooperation and information networks in bolstering Fiji’s maritime security framework. “We have our partners, regional partners that support us as well, so there’s efforts trying to manage maritime security,” he added.
Given Fiji’s vast maritime borders combined with limited resources, community information sharing remains essential in countering transnational drug movements. Engaging local communities in the fight against drug trafficking could ultimately enhance the effectiveness of national and regional efforts in securing Fiji’s maritime space.