Fishermen and women of Kadavu will pioneer a program designed to monitor and report suspicious activities at sea.

Chiefs and members of the Kadavu Provincial Council have unanimously agreed to the piloting of the ‘Solesolevaki ni Veitaqomaki’ model in the Kadavu Province.

The model, known as CVM-CMS (Community Policing-Vanua-Multi-agencies Crime Prevention and Maritime Security) was launched by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the opening of the Bose ni Yasana ko Kadavu on July 2 this year.

At the event, he emphasized a whole of Fiji approach to preventing criminal and security activities arising on land or at sea and integrated efforts by government departments and other agencies in taking the lead.

The pilot project aims to strategically leverage the role of the Vanua in monitoring and reporting suspicious activities at sea.

The CVM-CMS model involves the effective and efficient collaboration between the coastal villages Crime Prevention Committees, empowerment of the Turaga ni Koro in coordinating and facilitating initial actions and timely referral of agencies’ response based-information to responders and formation of the Fishing and Boat Operators Security Cluster as ‘Eyes and Ears’ at sea.

Chairman of the Bose ni Yasana o Kadavu, Isikeli Vuniwaqa, explained the model’s practical implications.

“Fishermen and women who spend hours at sea now have the opportunity to report suspicious yachts or illegal fishing activities to authorities for intelligence gathering and action,” he said.

Nationally, the Maritime Security Committee (MSC) is made up of reps from the Fisheries and Foreign Affairs ministries, Fiji Police Force, Fiji Navy, MSAF, Biosecurity, and Fiji Revenue and Customs Service who work together for Fiji’s maritime security.

Home Affairs and Immigration permanent secretary Mason Smith, said the security of Fiji’s maritime space was paramount.

“The detailed discussions at the recent MSC meeting demonstrate our unwavering commitment to protecting Fiji’s waters. By finalizing our terms of reference and clearly defining the committee’s objectives, we are poised to confront current and future maritime threats head-on,” he said.

Key discussions also centered around developing a comprehensive maritime security strategy, ensuring all involved agencies are aligned in their efforts. This strategy emphasized the need for strategic coherence and unified actions to safeguard Fiji’s maritime domain.

PM Rabuka’s recent visit to the UK underscored the importance of international partnerships in strengthening maritime security and domain awareness.

UK High Commissioner Dr Brian Jones said the UK “resolutely supports Fiji safeguarding its vital maritime territory.”

“We collaborate closely and align our support with Fiji’s existing initiatives and broader frameworks including UNCLOS and 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent,” he said.

“The UK’s support to Fiji’s Maritime Security Committee will ensure its efforts effectively address the most pressing maritime security threats, to the most vulnerable, including women and girls in our communities.”

All these efforts are being coordinated by the United Nations Development Programme, with funding support from the UK Government.