Strength Through Cooperation: a 21st Century Treaty for Multilateral Maritime Enforcement in the Pacific

Abstract

This article analyses a new treaty providing for cooperation in fisheries surveillance and law enforcement activities between the 17 member countries of the Forum Fisheries Agency. The 2012 Agreement for Strengthening the Implementation of the Niue Treaty on Cooperation in Fisheries Surveillance and Law Enforcement in the Pacific Region creates a strong but flexible mechanism to enable and encourage cooperation between its members and allow them to maximise the reach and effectiveness of their jurisdiction and assets in the conduct of fisheries surveillance and law enforcement activities. The article provides an overview of the key features and intended operation of the Agreement, highlights its focus on innovation and continuous development of new tools to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and discusses the potential for this Agreement to serve as a template for use in other contexts and regions.