US Coast Guard, Cook Islands counterparts conclude joint maritime law enforcement operation

The US Coast Guard concluded bilateral maritime law enforcement operations alongside Cook Islands law enforcement partners offshore Rarotonga on Friday, June 13.

The crew of the coast guard medium endurance cutter USCGC Harriet Lane worked alongside the Cook Islands' Ministry of Marine Resources to conduct fisheries law enforcement patrols.

The coast guard said the mutually beneficial patrols focused on detecting and deterring illegal fishing activities while ensuring the sustainable management of marine resources within the Cook Islands’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which borders the EEZ of American Samoa.

During this nine-day operation, Harriet Lane's crew and two Ministry of Marine Resources officers conducted six boardings of fishing vessels operating within the Cook Islands’ EEZ, resulting in one suspected violation.

The coast guard said the boardings focused on verifying compliance with Cook Island fisheries regulations, including proper licensing, gear restrictions and reporting requirements.

The coast guard added that the increased presence of law enforcement activity serves as a deterrent to potential illegal fishing activities, and that the Harriet Lane crew’s presence has deterred, "increasing trends of drug smuggling in the Pacific."

The bilateral operations are conducted under the existing maritime law enforcement agreement between the US and Cook Islands. The coast guard said these agreements allow its personnel to work with partner nations to enforce their sovereign laws and protect shared maritime interests.