BY NED GAGAHE
The Commanding Officer of HMS Tamar, Commander Tom Lindsey, says Pacific nations continue to face growing maritime security challenges, including Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as narcotics-related activities.
Commander Lindsey made the remarks during a reception hosted aboard HMS Tamar during the vessel’s visit to Solomon Islands last week.
He said the United Kingdom remains committed to working closely with Solomon Islands and other Pacific Island countries to strengthen maritime cooperation and regional security.
“The Pacific Ocean is rich in resources and remarkable in its beauty, but it is increasingly burdened by challenges such as irregular and unregulated fishing and drugs and narcotics, which affect both security and economic stability,” Commander Lindsey said.
He said the UK hopes to share its expertise and support Pacific nations in protecting their vast maritime zones.
Commander Lindsey also highlighted the historical ties between Solomon Islands and the United Kingdom, particularly during the Second World War campaign on Guadalcanal.
“For many people in Britain and around the world, Guadalcanal is remembered for its important place in history as a turning point in the Pacific War,” he said.
The Commander thanked Governor General Sir David Tiva Kapu, Deputy Prime Minister Francis Sade, and Solomon Islanders for the warm welcome extended to the ship’s crew during their visit.
He said many of the sailors had the opportunity to visit historical sites in Guadalcanal and Tulagi, including museums and communities, allowing them to reconnect with the shared cultural and wartime history between the two countries.
Commander Lindsey described HMS Tamar as a symbol of the United Kingdom’s long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific region.
“HMS Tamar is permanently deployed to the Indo-Pacific, not simply as a passing visitor but as a committed partner and a sign of the importance of our relationship with countries in the Pacific,” he said.
He also praised the work of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), following a recent visit to its Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre in Honiara.
Commander Lindsey said cooperation, information sharing, and teamwork among Pacific nations are critical in addressing regional maritime threats.
He added that although the United Kingdom is not a member of the FFA, it remains a keen partner and supporter of the agency’s work in the Pacific region.
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