Captain Alex Gibbs, head of the Australian Navy vessel “Ararat”, said they will stay in Palau until Tuesday to help the Palau patrol boat in monitoring vessels sail within the Palau waters.
“It is part of joint patrol efforts between Australia and Palau patrol team to monitor illegal fishing,” Gibbs said in an interview.
Gibbs said they will check vessels coming to the island and conducting fishing activities if they are legal o whether they have valid permit,
“Our work is to monitor, observe and report. If we see vessels not on the list (of the Marine Law Enforcement) then we will get photos and report.” Gibbs said.
Gibbs added, that the same effort is being conducted in Australia.
The patrol boat is visiting Palau for the first time, Aside providing assistance, the crewmembers will also take the opportunity to enjoy the island-nation.
Gibbs said that from Australia it took them five hours of sailing to Palau.
The crew is scheduled to leave this morning.
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