Why middlemen, buyers fight over beche-de-mer

THE Bechedemer-buying season has opened in Solomon Islands prompting an urgent review of prices being offered locally for the lucrative marine delicacy to match prices being paid in Asia.

HIGH –VALUE TROPICAL BECHE-DE-MER ON SALE IN JARS IN HONG KONG

Upper-left: H. lesson, Lower-right: H. fuscogilva, Lower-centre: H. scabra

Information obtained by Solomon Star shows the average price across species in Hong Kong for example ranged from USD15/kg to USD385/kg. This is equivalent to SBD120/kg to SBD3, 055/kg but warned this price range might have changed over the past few years.

“This price range may have increased over the past few years. One Store in Hong Kong had a selling price for Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) and Golden Sandfish (Holothuria lessoni) for US$1,668/kg (i.e. SB$13,238/kg),” according to the information.

“Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) of 8cm length, sells for US$165/kg (i.e. SB$1,310/kg) and

Sandfish (Holothuria scabra) of 12cm length sells for US$840/kg (i.e. SB$6,666/kg).”

It also shows the highest value and of great demand species of beche-de-mer in Hong Kong and other Asian Countries as:

·         Sandfish (Holothuria scabra)

·         White Teatfish (Holothuria fuscogilva)

·         Black Teatfish (Holothuria whitmaei)

·         Golden Sandfish (Holothuria lessoni)

·         Prickly Redfish (Thelenota ananas)

According to the information, bechedemer size and sale price are species-specific and highly varied.

BDM SUPPLY CHAIN FROM THE PACIFIC TO ASIA

“There is a need for better regulations and enforcement of minimum size limits,” it said.

The Bechedemer harvesting season was approved by Cabinet about two weeks ago in what some said was intended as a cover for those who have been illegally harvesting bechedemer, particularly in the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI). - By ALFRED SASAKO, Solomon Star Newspaper (11/09/2021)

Corruption in Bech-de-mer Continue Unattended?

TRANSPARENCY Solomon Islands (TSI) continue to be disturbed by the ongoing injustices perpetrated by certain people of Ongong Java and their Asian business partners on locals engaging in the trading of bechedemer. 

Early July this year TSI ran a story on the case of Dr. Reginald Aipia, a victim of the unfair treatment by officials holding important positions in the government offices responsible to execute the laws pertaining to fisheries. TSI’s media article served as a reminder to public officials abusing their official position for their personal gain and those, they collude with to deny other citizens their equal rights to benefit from bechedemer. It was based on the High Court Decision (HCC: 483/2018) delivered on June this year which ruled that the police and MFMR were guilty of unlawful arrest, malicious prosecution and false imprisonment of Aipia, and unlawful detention of Aipia’s bechedemer. TSI cautioned public officials of the repercussion the law may have on the government per HCC: 483/2018 which backfired on the government to pay $56 million for damage and loss of business. 

Hence,TSI believed that the case was served as a precedence that the Ministry of Public Service and the Public Service Commission (PSC) to be cautious and tight up discipline on government officials whose erroneous decisions may incur huge cost on taxpayers. 

TSI also believed that the case of Dr. Reginald Aipia is just a tip of the iceberg, thus more is needed to be done to stop corruption in the trading of bechedemer that denies the country and citizens the much-needed benefit they deserved from this marine resource. 

Heaps of Sea Cucumber being sun dried before it's packed by local Exporter to China. Photo:  Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources - Solomon Islands

Despite the case clearly shows how police, Attorney General (AG) office and Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) colluded for the unlawful arrest of Aipia in 2017, it seems none of those public officer care. Because on February this year, three police officers again misused police dingy to approach Aipia at Roncador reef for arrest on false report by same people in the Ministry of Fisheries that he illegally harvesting bechedemer. 

But Dr. Aipia in fact went out fishing with his men on a hired vessel. As a result of the police intrusion into their fishing activities, those fishermen were afraid and want to return back to their families in Lord Howe. Aipia again incurred another big lose to his business since he had hired two vessels and his fishing license wasted. 

His recruited fishermen were traumatized then by police interference and feared that anything could happen to them and their families so they demand Aipia to cancel the fishing trip and go back to Ontong Java. Furthermore, it is obvious to TSI that Solomon Islands is always targeted by crooks when it comes to trading raw materials that values in millions of dollars. Particularly the logging sector, mining industry and bechedemer. Unlike forestry, bechedemer has a harvesting period and closing season managed and control by Ministry of Fisheriesis. 

However, there was and is always a practice of unfair treatment by MFMR and police specifically on a local business man who strive as any other citizen to equally benefit from bechedemer. As an indigenous person from Lord Howe, Dr. Aipia have all the rights to harvest marine resources like others but unfortunately, he is always the target of police and fisheries discriminately, from other bechedemer dealers. 

A poster displaying the minimum harvest, purchase and export sizes of Bech-de-mer products for the current open season. Photo: Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources - Solomon Islands

Despite the fact that the magistrate court acquitted him in 2017 for illegally harvesting bechedemer, MFMR instruct police to again arrest him in February this year at Roncordor reef, but upon arrival police learned that he was on a fishing trip and did not harvest bechedemer. Prior to the lifting of the bechedemer ban, Transparency Solomon Islands also received reports that there were small boats often travelling from Lord Howe to Honiara transporting bechedemer to the Chinese buyers were never arrest and monitored by police. 

These boats using horse powered engine travel long distance from Luangiua or Pelau for more than eight hours to reach Honiara. They continue to do this because the ships were always raided by police upon arrival at the Point Cruz wharf. Thus, using small boats powered by engine to secretly transport bechedemer to their buyers in Honiara. 

TSI urged police to tight up monitoring on this practice once the bechedemer harvesting season close. It is a normal practice for bechedemer poachers to continue do whatever means possible to trade sea cucumber by evading police. Moreover, Transparency Solomon Islands is aware of the ongoing scramble for sea cucumber in the largest chained of inhabited fringing reef in the country. 

These competitions to get the most benefit out from this profitable marine product involve village-based resources owners of Ontong Java, Chinese business men, some public servants who work as agents for the Asian buyers and the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI).

 As the case in Lord Howe was reported to our office, TSI is compel to say that there should be no more form of discrimination against other locals who wish to harvest bech-de-mer for commercial purposes or other uses. Everyone must be given the equal opportunity to engage in the business of bechedemer trading as long as they are from MOI. The unfair treatment and injustice perpetrated on Dr. Aipia by ministry of fisheries and some self-claimed chiefs on the atoll alleged to be serving the interest of the MP must be discouraged. 

TSI also aware of some government officials from Lord Howe involving in Bechedemer trading reported to their office, however urging the relevant integrity institution like the Leadership Code Commission (LCC), Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Ombudsman office to ensure compliance. Lastly, Transparency Solomon Islands again would share its view on reports of unfair treatment by Ministry of Fisheries executed by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) on a particular person. 

Bech-de-mer local buying prices for the current year-long open season. Photo: Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources - Solomon Islands

TSI think that the laws of Solomon Islands must be applied to everyone indiscriminately. The past incidence in 2017 which the patrol boat went and arrest Dr. Aipia and brought him to custody, while allowing others including their Chinese buyers to harvest bechedemer was a gross injustice we must not let it repeated. Given this open season for harvesting bechedemer, everyone must be given the equal opportunity to harvest this lucrative marine product and no one should be left out or denied. 

MFMR and RSIPF must ensure there is equal opportunity for all and do not show favoritism towards Chinese buyers and their cronies as alleged to be the case in the past. Prior to lifting of the bechedemer ban, Ministry of Fisheries and the RSIPF must ensure everyone are well inform in advance, with tougher penalties on poaching practices before the ban was lifted and after the harvesting season officially closed. The laws should not be targeting just one man or a group to serve the shellfish interest of someone. The police and Ministry of Fisheries should never compromise their independence and integrity during this harvesting season of bechedemer.

 //end//

HIGH SEAS TUNA TRANSSHIPMENT

What it is and why it should be reformed

September 2021

Frozen Carrier and Longliner preparing to tranship catches in the High Seas outside the control of coastal states  (anonymous source)

Tuna fishing in the region

Tuna is extremely valuable to Pacific Island countries. In recent years, the annual catch of tuna in the western and central Pacific Ocean has been approximately 2.6 million metric tonnes per year, worth almost US$5 billion. This catch represents over 50% of all the tuna landings in the world.  Surprisingly, the amount of tuna captured caught in the Pacific Island region is over ten times the amount of fish from all the other types of fishing in the region combined.

Although tuna is captured by a variety of fishing techniques, the vast majority is taken by industrial-scale operations using either purse seine or longline gear.

Tuna transshipment

Transshipment is a legitimate practice in the tuna fishing industry. In a typical transshipment operation, a refrigerated carrier vessel collects catch from multiple fishing boats and carries it back to port. This practice enables fishing vessels to continue fishing, which reduces fuel costs for fishing vessels and gets the catch to port quicker.

There are two main types of tuna transshipment in this region.  In one type of operation the transshipment occurs in or near a port, normally under the authorization, control, and inspection of the country where the port is located. In most Pacific Island countries the staff of the fisheries department monitor the volumes and species composition of the catch being transferred.

The other form of transshipment in the region (which is far more problematic) is transshipment at sea, particularly in the high seas – which are ocean areas beyond the exclusive economic zone of any country.  In those areas the authorization and controls over the transshipment are the responsibility of the country of registration of the concerned carrier vessel and fishing vessel. This type of transshipment is particularly common for longline vessels.

Problems with tuna transshipment

It is generally known that the volumes and composition of the catch being transferred in high seas transshipment is not as rigorously monitored as that for in-port transshipment.

High seas transshipment at sea is widely recognized as one of the main ways that illegally caught fish finds its way to market. Poorly monitored high seas transshipments offer opportunities to hide both illegal catches and prohibited fishing activities.  The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has stated that in the absence of effective monitoring and control, transshipping poses a serious risk to fisheries by allowing the catching and landing of fish to go unregulated and unreported. Within the western and central Pacific Ocean, it has been estimated by a recent study that US$142 million per year of tuna and tuna-like products are involved in illegal, at-sea transshipment.

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission

Tuna fishing in the central and western Pacific Ocean is regulated by both the countries in the region and the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). The Commission has a total of 42 member countries (including all independent Pacific Island countries), participating territories, and cooperating non-members.  The WCPFC seeks to ensure, through effective management, the long-term conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks (i.e. tunas and billfish) in the western and central Pacific Ocean.

The Commission develops conservation and management measures that are binding on vessels that fish in the region. These are enforced in various ways, including by on-board observers, electronic vessel monitoring systems, at-sea boarding and inspection, and aerial surveillance.

 

The WCPFC has a role in regulating transshipment. Recognizing that transshipment on the high seas could cause problems, the international agreement that established the WCPFC states: “In order to support efforts to ensure accurate reporting of catches, the members of the Commission shall encourage their fishing vessels, to the extent practicable, to conduct transshipment in port.”   Recognizing this point, the Commission made a rule in 2009 stipulating there shall be no transshipment on the high seas except where a member country has determined that it is impractical for a vessel – but the Commission did not define “impractical”, thereby creating a loophole.

The current situation in the central and western Pacific

Contrary to the Commission’s intentions and rules, the number of high seas transshipments in the western and Central Pacific is actually increasing. Reports to the Commission indicate that such transshipments have increased from 544 operations in 2014 to 1,472 in 2019.

 

It appears that high seas transshipments are becoming the norm, rather than the exception. This situation is not conducive to the long-term conservation and sustainable use of tuna resources in the region – a stated aim of the Commission.

The way ahead

Recognizing that poorly monitored high seas transshipments are a major factor in illegal tuna fishing in the region, there is a strong case for reforming such operations. There appear to be two possibilities for this:

• Ban transshipment on the high seas and require any transshipment to take place in a port where it can be easily monitored; or
• Greatly improve the monitoring of high seas transshipment.

 

The first possibility would certainly result in improved accountability and transparency of the tuna catches – but it would place additional costs on fishing vessels, such as extra distances to travel and port charges.  This possibility would likely be opposed by the transshipping vessels and their countries of registration.

The second possibility for reforming high seas transshipment would be to have the observers onboard the carrier vessels produce detailed reports and have those reports sent in a timely manner directly to the Commission for analysis. This possibility is likely to be less of a burden on vessel operators – and hopefully would meet less opposition than simply banning high seas transshipment and forcing a major change in way vessels operate. 

What can the governments of Pacific Island countries do to promote the reform of high seas tuna transshipment?  Through their voice in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, they should point out that poorly monitored high seas transshipment could threaten the benefits they receive from their tuna resources – and insist on closing this loophole that gives opportunities for illegal fishing.

 

 

 

 

 

Solomon Islands hopeful for a better 2021 despite pandemic, climate change cutting tuna revenue

 22 July 2021 | TUNA PACIFIC

HONIARA, Solomon Islands - The Solomon Islands government is confident that the revenue from its tuna industry will progressively improve by the end of the year, despite the challenges that the pandemic and climate change have posed to the economics of the industry.

According to the Ministry of Fisheries’ Deputy Secretary of Corporate Services Mr Patteson Lusi, 2021 is regarded as a challenging year for the Solomon Islands tuna industry. He says the revenue outlook projection is estimated to be SBD$80 million (USD$1 million) less.

In an appearance before the country’s Public Accounts Committee in April 2021 to scrutinise the 2021 budget, it was revealed that the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change on the country’s fisheries industry are causing the drop in revenue.

Mr Lusi, revealing the projected revenue drop for 2021, says the country is expecting roughly $290.3m by the end of the year.

“It is a reduction of $35.8m from $326.1m last year. This estimated drop is partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts that we are experiencing.

“Nevertheless, we are hopeful that good things will turn out this year and [revenue] will be similar to last year’s collected revenue,” says Mr Lusi.

With the risks posed by the pandemic, local fisheries officials are being trained to apply the knowledge and skills on Sea Inspections and importantly the COVID-19 guidelines for their safety at sea. Photo: Yohni Fepule’ai/FFA

With the national government now embarking on a redirection policy, the Ministry says it must also try and ensure that the Ministry achieves its objectives in the redirection policy and also satisfies their corporate goals for this year.

“We are committed that we will try as much as possible with the budget of $27.2m to deliver our programs for this year. We are also looking forward to the support of our donors with $37.6m this year.”

COVID-19 pandemic, climate change has reduced tuna revenue

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Fisheries Dr Christain Ramofafia told the committee that what was revealed was the realistic outlook for the projected revenue for Solomon Islands.

Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), Dr Christain Ramofafia during the World Tuna Day Celebrations in Honiara, Thursday 6th May 2021. Photo: Ronald F. Toito’ona

He also clarified the two factors that have forced the revenue reduction.

“In fact, last year we tried to strengthen this projection, but two important issues have forced the reduction – one is the impact of COVID-19 on the fisheries sector,” says Dr Ramofafia.

“For us in Solomon Islands, the impact of the pandemic on fishing itself is not that severe. But when you go up the chain in terms of exports and operations in other countries – especially in [fishing] companies – the selling of [Vessel Day Scheme] days will also be affected. It will also affect companies that are taking up your [Vessel Day Scheme] days that are paid to fish.

“The other reason is that the fish are now in the Eastern Pacific – there’s a strong seasonal impact on fish [due to climate change].

“In terms of income, the reduction is strong on the domestic licenses – the fees that we collected domestically. For National Fisheries Development, two of its big vessels were no longer operational – however, they are important in the purchase of our days. But we can no longer cope – thus the reason for the reduction,” he says.

Dr Ramofafia also revealed that the other big reduction is at the Forum Fisheries Agency under the US treaty.

“The fees for the US treaty are also reduced. That means selling our days in the US treaty will also be reduced. That will also affect our revenue.

“In the US treaty, 85% is selling days in all Parties to the Nauru Agreement countries or US treaty. Therefore our revenue is projected to decline from the previous allocation of our US treaty.”

For this year, although it is not looking good for the country, Dr Ramofafia says the Ministry is hopeful that it will turn out well in the end.

“The predictions are there, but from experience, at the end of the year fish are always combined in our waters. Because of that, the demand for days can increase at the end of the year and towards the beginning of another year,” he says.

Fish stocks healthy, pooling system looks good

When the committee asked about the fish stocks in the country, Dr Ramofafia says the stock of all four fish species “looks good”.

“I think [our stocks are] the best globally in terms in all sorts of tuna (yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack and albacore) in our waters.

“In a recent study by the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific has the healthiest tuna fishing ground in the world. It’s just that the fish went towards the east that forces us to lose out.

“Predictions are that as the changes of climate change occur, there will be a shift in the movement of fish stocks,” says Dr Ramofafia.

The Tuna Industry has also helped fish vendors to earn an income, especially from leaked tuna being offloaded when doing transhipment in Honiara. Photo: Ronald F. Toito’ona

It is also common that towards the end of the year, the fish will return into the country’s exclusive economic zone. However, the country’s pooling system must also be considered.

The committee asked if the pooling systems in the Pacific would be affected politically. This is due to the tension experienced at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, since the countries which Solomon Islands relies on are from the Micronesian grouping.

But Dr Ramofafia responded that Solomon Islands have been engaged in three pooling systems and its membership for sub-grouping in the PNA, which is the strongest. It is not disturbed by any political situation.

“I think the approach we will take is to increase the commitment under the sub-grouping of the PNA to at least increase our revenue – I think that is our [Ministry’s] strategy at this time. If we increase that, I think it will help our revenue.”

He says the other issue is the overall allocation of days under the PNA days allocation.

“Actually, our number of days is going down because fishing is always happening in the Eastern Pacific. So, at times, we normally trade days. For example, the Federated States of Micronesia usually buy from us. So the days are actually counted against them – that is ‘their days’ now.

“The assessment is over a period of 8–9 years and the average is given to us every year as a reallocation of days. Because of that, it also affects how many days we trade,” Dr Ramofafia says.

The Ministry’s Director of Fisheries Mr Edward Honiwala agreed with Dr Ramofafia – he explained that the budgetary implication of the number of days allocated in the PNA is that Solomon Islands will lose the revenue for around 100 days.

“This is a lot of money in revenue for Solomon Islands,” Mr Honiwala says.

“This is due to the modelling of how fishing days are allocated by PNA member countries.”

New Guardian-class patrol boat a welcome asset to tackle illegal fishing in Solomon Islands

 21 July 2021 | TUNA PACIFIC

HONIARA, Solomon Islands - Tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is often a challenge for countries in the Pacific due to many reasons, and the unavailability of maritime assets is one.

On Monday, 28 June 2021, Solomon Islands officially took ownership of a new Guardian-class patrol boat, RSIPV Taro 06, thanks to the government of Australia. The new asset is the second to be handed to the Melanesian island nation following the delivery of the first RSIPV Gizo 05 in 2019.

This was made possible under an existing Defence Cooperation Arrangement, which saw continuous support by Australia to Solomon Islands for more than 30 years.

According to the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, the new Guardian-class patrol boat is an additional asset to assist the country in its fight against IUU fishing – which is a major threat to the security and long-term sustainability of Solomon Island tuna fisheries.

Prime Minister Sogavare speaking at the commissioning ceremony at the Honiara Port. Photo: Police Media.

He says as a country that depends largely on its marine resources to boost its economy, it is important that its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is protected.

“Protecting our marine jurisdiction, whose threats are multifaceted, is a government responsibility.

“Maritime security is important to Solomon Islands as it links to our economic development and livelihood. Also, much of the trading, either internationally or locally, happens via the marine water. Thus, supporting international order, in making sure of open sea lanes and keeping it from dispute, is crucial,” Mr Sogavare says.

He added that much of the ocean is still waiting to be explored, but human activities such as illegal fishing, oil spills, ocean pollution, deep-sea mining and fossil-fuel burning are already changing it.

Solomon Island’s EEZ is 1.6 million square kilometres and there are huge challenges with monitoring such a huge maritime boundary. Given the limited resources available to monitor the country’s maritime domain, effective control over the country’s maritime boundaries and resources is only achieved through a concerted regional effort.

Mr Sogavare also gave credit to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and its monitoring, control and surveillance as a key program that is supporting the country’s effort in protecting its resources from illegal harvesting.

That said, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister said his country will continue to work collaboratively with international and regional partners, and organisations such as Pacific Islands Forum, FFA and Pacific Maritime Security Program to support the country’s maritime domain.

RSIPV Taro approaches the main wharf at slow speed for the salute at her commissioning ceremony in Honiara. Photo: AHCO, SI.

New boat a boost to RSIPF as leaders in national maritime security

With the inclusion of the new Guardian-class patrol boat, it is anticipated that the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) will step up its maritime security.

Mr Sogavare highlighted that the RSIPF maritime division plays a critical role in the country’s maritime security, as it is responsible for doing territorial surveillance, border patrolling and reconnaissance, monitoring our vast EEZ and protecting against illegal entry into our waters.

The RSIPF also undertakes emergency and relief work required by the National Disaster Management Office during disaster situations such as protecting our borders from illegal immigrants, or avoiding the spread of COVID-19.

Therefore, the donation by Australia of the new Guardian-class patrol boat RSIPV Taro is indeed a boost to the country’s maritime security.

RSIPF Commissioner Mr Mostyn Mangau, in his remarks at the commissioning ceremony, says, “the people of the Solomon Islands will greatly benefit from the new Guardian-class patrol boat (RSIPV Taro 06) gifted by the Australian government.

Commissioner Mostyn Mangau presents his speech during the Commissioning of the Patrol Boat Taro. Photo: RSIPF Media.

“The new Guardian-class Pacific patrol boat has a length of 39.5 metres and a complement of 19 crew members. The vessel can travel 3,000 nautical miles at minimal speed. This new patrol boat is purposely to conduct maritime surveillance and enforcement operations like fighting illegal fishing, search and rescue for distress boats, transitional crimes, very important person (VIP) escorts and other border operations.

“On behalf of the RSIPF, I would like to thank the government and people of Australia for the gift of the new patrol boat. I would also like to thank the Australian Defence program and Australian High Commission in Solomon Islands for making possible arrangements to receive the new Guardian-class patrol boat Taro,” Mangau says.

Australia to rearm patrol boats Gizo and Taro

To ensure the RSIPF is capable of handing the country’s maritime security, the Australian government through its High Commissioner’s office in Honiara has announced that under the Australian Defence Cooperation Program will rearm the two Guardian-class patrol boats, Gizo and Taro, after previous disarmament.

RSIPV Gizo escorting RSIPV Taro for her Commissioning. Photo: RSIPF Media.

Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Dr Lachlan Strahan, during his remarks at the commissioning ceremony, thanked both the Australian and Solomon Islands governments – through the Australian Defence program – for working in partnership and recognising our maritime security needs and the importance of enhancing our maritime security.

Dr Strahan announced this following a request made by the Solomon Islands Govern­ment. From the request, Australia decided to make a contri­bution to strengthen the law enforcement and the national security capabil­ity here in the country.

“In response to a request from the Solomon Islands, Australia has agreed to arm two Guardian-class patrol boats Gizo and Taro. We have also accepted a simi­lar request from the Papua New Guinea Government,” he said.

“The two new Guardian-class patrol boats Gizo and Taro will soon be armed as part of the RSIPF rearmament capabilities to ensure our waters remain safe and secure from security threats,” Dr Lachlan says.

He said Austra­lia and Solomon Islands governments will now con­duct a joint capability assessment to determine which weapon is most ap­propriate for the boats.

Meanwhile, Prime Min­ister Sogavare has thanked the Australian Government for responding to his government’s request regarding rearming the boat.

Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands His Excellency Dr Lachlan Strahan at the commissioning ceremony for RSIPV.

“I am glad to note the Australian Government has agreed to arm our pa­trol boats. It marks another significant milestone in our deep and enduring partnership, founded on our shared values and commit­ment to a sovereign, safe and prosperous Pacific.

“It marks the beginning of a new chapter in our maritime security, ca­pability and capacity that is bigger and more classic for the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force than before.”

Dr Strahan had also revealed that the patrol boats are the fulcrum of Australia’s 30-year $2 billion Pacific Maritime Security Program. This program is a core pillar of Australia’s Pacific Step-up, which aims squarely at enhancing the maritime surveillance and law enforcement capabilities of its Pacific friends and neighbours.