Ministry of Fisheries receives new patrol boats funded by the World Bank

The Ministry of Fisheries received three new patrol boats funded by the World Bank under the Tongafish Pathway to Sustainable Fisheries Project. The handover ceremony took place last Friday at the Ministry’s headquarters in Sopu.

Representing the World Bank, CEO of the Ministry of Finance, Ms. Kilisitina Tuaimei’api, handed over the patrol boats to Lord Fohe, the Acting Minister for Fisheries.

“These vessels will significantly bolster our efforts to ensure compliance with maritime laws and protect our marine environment,” said Lord Fohe during his keynote address.

The patrol boats are equipped with advanced technology to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, support maritime safety, and conduct environmental assessments. The boats will be deployed across Tongatapu, Vava’u, and Ha’apai, enhancing Tonga’s maritime enforcement capabilities and contributing to regional marine conservation.

This collaboration between the World Bank, the Tongafish Pathway Project, and the Ministry of Fisheries marks another step toward sustainable development and the protection of Tonga’s marine resources.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}