Customise Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

U.S. Coast Guard Returns to Bermuda to Combat Illegal Fishing

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Rollin Fritch (WPC-1119) arrived in Bermuda today as part of the second annual fisheries enforcement operation in concert with the Bermuda Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Royal Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Coast Guard Unit, and Bermuda Police Services. The cutter will patrol seaward of the Bermuda Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), in adjacent international waters.

The joint operation expands upon last year’s fisheries enforcement operation, which encountered multiple foreign flagged fishing vessels operating in the region outside of Bermuda’s EEZ. These collective efforts advance the long-standing U.S.-Bermuda partnership, as well as emphasize the continued need to protect the environment and living marine resources against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a global issue also prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic.

“I am proud to welcome the U.S. Coast Guard back to Bermuda for this important operation,” said U.S. Consul General to Bermuda Karen Grissette. “The second year of this fisheries enforcement operation strengthens and expands the United States’ strategic partnership with Bermuda and increases our interoperability. This type of collaboration with our strategic partners is critical to confronting transnational challenges.”

“Once again it is an honor for Bermuda to be receiving the U.S. Coast Guard in our waters,” noted Deputy Premier of Bermuda and Minister of Home Affairs, Walter Roban. “This operation continues cooperation with the U.S. Government in supporting illegal, unreported fishing and other unacceptable activity in our waters. All is as a result of a meeting held with the former National Climate Advisor to U.S. President Biden, Gina McCarthy, at COP26 where we discussed matters important to Bermuda and the United States. The willingness of the United States to support Bermuda in our effort to oversee our EEZ is in step with our centuries’ long relationship as neighbors. My gratitude on behalf of the people of Bermuda extends to the U.S. Government, the U.S. Consul General’s Office and their team in Bermuda for facilitating the support we will continue to get from the United States Coast Guard.”

As the worldwide demand for fish as a protein source continues to grow, IUU fishing will have a profound impact on the security of all countries with a maritime boundary. Left unenforced, IUU fishing will threaten global geo-political security, undermine maritime governance, and impact a nation’s ability to achieve domestic food security.

“The impacts of IUU-F are pervasive and far-reaching as it threatens local, regional and global fish stocks; undermines a nation’s sovereignty as well economic security; and weakens maritime governance designed to protect the sea itself, said Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath, commander of the Coast Guard Fifth District. “We need to eradicate this threat to collective prosperity by spot lighting bad actors and rooting out illicit behavior.”

The Sentinel-class fast response cutter is a key component of the Coast Guard’s offshore fleet that is capable of deploying independently to conduct missions that include port, waterways and coastal security; fishery patrols; search and rescue; and national defense.

Any content which is considered unsuitable, unlawful, or offensive, includes personal details, advertises or promotes products, services or websites, or repeats previous comments will be removed.

User comments posted on this website are solely the views and opinions of the comment writer and are not a representation of or reflection of the opinions of TNN or its staff.

TNN reserves the right to remove, edit or censor any comments.

TNN accepts no liability and will not be held accountable for the comments made by users.