Fiji’s border and biosecurity agencies have formalised a new partnership with a Savusavu marina in a move aimed at tightening maritime surveillance and improving on-site operational coordination. The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) and the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nawi Island Marina at a ceremony held at the marina, establishing a framework for information sharing, joint consultations and mutual support during coordinated operations.
Under the agreement, Nawi Island Marina will provide dedicated operational space to host border agency officers conducting duties at the facility. Crucially, the marina will grant authorised officers access to live CCTV feeds to assist surveillance and enforcement activities, and has committed to supporting secure, confidential exchanges of intelligence and operational information. The MOU also outlines plans for joint surveillance patrols and other collaborative activities intended to strengthen monitoring of Savusavu’s entry points and surrounding waters.
Chief Customs Officer Nausad Ali and BAF Acting Chief Executive Officer Surend Pratap were among the senior representatives who signed and witnessed the agreement. Also present were General Manager Jitendra Prasad, Nawi Island’s Chief of Security Clarence Reid, Marina Manager Grace Lee, Operations and HR Manager Annie Simpson, marine biologist Sarah Makutu, and officers from the participating agencies. Mr Ali signed on behalf of FRCS Chief Executive Officer Udit Singh.
Speaking for FRCS, Mr Ali stressed that the agreement reflects the importance of partnerships in reinforcing Fiji’s border protection systems. He said effective collaboration between agencies and private sector stakeholders strengthens enforcement and compliance while enabling legitimate operators to continue their activities, and warned that those involved in unlawful activity would be met with the full force of the law. Mr Pratap highlighted the MOU’s role in preserving biosecurity safeguards, noting that cooperative measures are essential to protecting Fiji’s natural environment and agricultural industries. A legal officer from BAF described the arrangement as meaningful progress in strengthening cooperation in Savusavu.
Officers from the FRCS Savusavu office said they welcomed the agreement, pointing to improved coordination during on-site operations and the benefits of enhanced monitoring within the marina precinct and adjacent marine approaches. The access to live video and an on-site operational base are expected to shorten response times during incidents and assist both agencies in detecting and responding to contraband, biosecurity risks or other irregularities.
The Nawi Island Marina MOU follows a broader push by FRCS and partner agencies to reinforce maritime border security across Fiji. In recent months FRCS has expanded its northern capabilities — including work to establish a canine detection facility in the North — while other private marinas have entered formal arrangements with law enforcement to bolster surveillance and response. Officials say embedding officers and sharing infrastructure at strategic private facilities are practical steps toward improving coverage across Fiji’s dispersed coastline and maritime entry points.
Agencies described the MOU as an operationally focused measure that should enhance inter-agency collaboration and contribute to ongoing efforts to protect Fiji’s borders and biosecurity. Practical implementation — such as scheduling joint patrols, protocols for information exchange and use of CCTV for enforcement — will determine how quickly the partnership translates into strengthened on-the-ground outcomes.
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