Temporary suspension of new crew members on foreing tuna vessels
FIJI
Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 05:40 (GMT + 9)
FPCL has met with local and foreign fishing vessel owners and agents on 16 March 2020, informing them that all transfer and change of crew members have been suspended until further notice
The Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL) has directed all fishing vessels, local and foreign, to follow set protocols and discontinue any crew changes on high seas or at any port visited.
FPCL has met with local and foreign fishing vessel owners and agents on 16 March 2020, informing them that all transfer and change of crew members have been suspended until further notice.
The FPCL will monitor the fishing vessels and its crew detail. All fishing vessel operators are required to provide vessel and crew details to the Harbour Master prior to arrival.
Fiji local fifhing vessels (Photo: FijiTV)
The verification of information will be conducted by Harbour Master in conjunction with other stakeholders, that is, Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), Fiji Revenue and Customs Services, Department of Immigration and Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, to name a few.
MHMS will board the vessel, thereafter to give clearance, whilst other stakeholders will proceed for inspections and approval for the vessel to dock.
Foreign longlline tuna fifhing vessels (Photo: FijiTV)
Shipping agents and owners are required to submit to FPCL, the list of fishing vessels, crew details and updated health status. The data will be maintained in a database and will continually be monitored by the Harbour Master’s Office.
FPCL has a duty of care to its staff and stakeholders. Since January 2020, FPCL has been taking proactive measures to combat against the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to ensure the wellbeing of its staff and stakeholders.
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