Fiji advances maritime security governance with baseline mapping exercise
Fiji’s maritime law enforcement agencies convened a baseline mapping exercise to catalog existing maritime security mandates and enforcement legislation. The session, organized by the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, took place at the Maritime Essential Services Centre in Lami. The Fiji Navy said the foundational assessment was enriched by insights from Professor Satish Chand, who co-authored Fiji’s National Security Defence Review and National Security Strategy.
The Navy noted that this baseline will support targeted follow-up meetings aimed at strengthening maritime security governance, unifying efforts across agencies, and boosting capabilities for deterrence, detention, and disruption of illegal maritime activities. The initiative also drew on guidance from the Office of the Solicitor-General, underscoring a shared commitment to implementing the National Security Strategy by leveraging each agency’s strengths for a collective maritime security objective.
Context and outlook
The move fits within Fiji’s broader drive to reinforce national security arrangements through cross-government collaboration and strategic planning. The NSDR and NSS frameworks, which emphasize a coordinated approach to security and the involvement of multiple sectors of government and civil society, provide the broader backdrop for this mapping exercise. Professor Chand’s involvement ties the new baseline to ongoing policy work that seeks to align law enforcement, governance, and strategic planning.
In recent years, Fiji has hosted a series of related maritime-security initiatives, including high-level conferences and partnerships that emphasize cross-agency coordination, international cooperation, and robust policy development. Concepts such as the Oceanic Alliance for the Security of Island States (OASIS) have featured prominently in these discussions, signaling a sustained push toward formal platforms for regional security collaboration and stronger protections for Fiji’s seaports, borders, and maritime domain.
Summary
Fiji is advancing a practical step toward stronger maritime security governance by mapping current mandates and enforcement tools. With input from a leading security scholar and support from the Solicitor-General’s office, the baseline aims to streamline interagency coordination and enhance the country’s ability to deter and disrupt illegal maritime activities. This effort contributes to a broader national security architecture that seeks to safeguard Fiji’s maritime interests and support regional security initiatives.
Additional notes
– The Baseline mapping can help identify gaps, align legislation with practical enforcement needs, and prioritize follow-up discussions across agencies.
– The initiative highlights Fiji’s emphasis on collaborative security planning, consistent with the NSDR/NSS approach and ongoing regional security conversations, including potential alliances like OASIS.
– A positive implication is strengthening Fiji’s maritime economy and Blue Pacific governance through clearer authorities and more cohesive action against illicit activities at sea.
Overall, the development represents a constructive, governance-focused step with the potential to yield tangible improvements in maritime security across Fiji and its regional partners.
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