US Embassy: Multi-Conference on Illegal , Unregulated & Unreported Fishing
On March 17, 2015, a multi-lateral conference was held on Guam regarding increasing Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing in the Micronesian States of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of Palau (ROP). Participants included the U.S. Department of State, American Embassy Kolonia, American Embassy Koror, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. military, Australian Embassy for Micronesian Region and delegations of FSM and ROP. The Republic of the Marshall Islands delegation was unable to participate. The U.S. delegation was led by U.S. Ambassador Doria Rosen (FSM) and U.S. Ambassador Amy Hyatt (ROP). The Australian delegation was led by Second Secretary and Consul Mr. Nikola Pejic. The FSM delegation was led by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Lorin Robert. The ROP delegation was led by Special Assistant to the President Mr. Keobel Sakuma. Observers included U.S. Pacific Command staff, Federal Bureau of Investigations Guam office, Australia's Office of National Assessment, U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Yap state government. The meeting was facilitated by the U.S. Defense Representative office for FSM and ROP. Upon reviewing case studies of increasing IUU boats from South East Asia and South Asia caught illegally fishing in the FSM and ROP economic exclusion zones, the delegations forged an understanding of IUU emerging issues and a process for collaborative short and long term solutions. The delegations committed to strengthening their partnership and seeking to expand regional partnerships in combating IUU violations in small island nations.