A major Japanese foundation is planning for a 10-year program in support of marine surveillance training, equipment and technology upgrades, said officials in Majuro.
Delegations from the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia and Palau are joining officials from the Coast Guards of Japan and the United States, the Australian Defense Department, and the Nippon Foundation and Sasakawa Peace Foundation to confirm the plans for Japan’s stepped up marine surveillance support.
The Japanese initiative comes as Pacific islands are making an unprecedented push to conserve dwindling tuna resources and reduce illegal fishing in the region that has one of the world’s last healthy fisheries.
The Sasakawa Foundation, which has funded cultural and media projects in Micronesia since the 1980s, has for the past two years promoted a plan for Sasakawa to support a coordinated marine and fisheries surveillance effort.
The meetings in Tokyo are expected to flesh out the details of the plan that involves Sasakawa and the Nippon Foundation, both of which have long-term ties to the Micronesia region.
