Vanuatu illegal fishing

Vanuatu payment made to Cook Islands for Illegal fishing

The payment was made to ensure the black listing of one of the country’s flagged fishing vessels at this week’s Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission(WCPFC) 13th regular meeting in Nadi, Fiji this week did not take place.
 
The Vanuatu Department of Fisheries’ Compliance Manager, William Matariki, who is leading Vanuatu’s two-member delegation at the Commission meeting, confirmed this development to the Daily Post.
 

Vt18 million fine for Vanuatu for Illegal fishing

Director of Fisheries, Kalo Pakoa, has confirmed that the flagged vessel, a Chinese flagged long liner ESSEN 108 entered into Cook Islands’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), in December 2015.
 
The matter was not reported in time and it was mid-2016 when Vanuatu got a report from the Cook Islands, and kick-started negotiations for a settlement.
 
“We have managed to get the ship owner or the operator to commit to a fine to pay the Cook Islands,” Director Pakoa told Vanuatu Nightly News’ Kizzy Kalsakau.