Part II – U.S. Fisheries Enforcement in the Western Pacific: Embracing the Long Run
The MOC
By
LTJG Logan J. Tobias
December 14, 2023
This publication is part two of a two-part series concerning the U.S. Coast Guard’s approach to countering Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing (“IUUF”) in the Western Pacific region. Click here to read Part I about the short-term assessment of the U.S. Coast Guard’s IUUF operations.
The first part of this series discussed how short run limitations on Western and Central Pacific Fisheries (“commission”) patrols can mislead servicemembers and government decision-makers into undervaluing, and consequently under prioritizing, involvement in Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (“RFMOs”) to counter Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing (“IUUF”). When considering such patrols in the short run (up to three years) and the long run (beyond three years), divestment in counter-IUUF missions would be a mistake. Foreign policy is not orchestrated in a vacuum. Viewing United States’ commission involvement as a one-dimensional war on IUUF undermines its importance as a stream of aspirational politics and medium to build bona fide friendships. Despite the limitations of the commission enforcement arm and those of similar RFMOs in the short run (discussed in Part I), it is critical that the U.S. remains an active member and ardent supporter of such conventions.
Until the (potential) future point when RFMOs enhance their on-the-scene enforcement capabilities, they figure prominently in the sphere of “aspirational politics.” Aspirational politics serve the dual-purpose of articulating goals and “affirming identity and values.” The U.S. must continue to signal its desire to protect the world’s fish stocks as well as its identity as a power-player in international sustainability efforts. The alternative, where the U.S. turns its back on the impressively representative collective of Pacific nations, would communicate American disinterest globally and threaten the steady growth of RFMOs over the past two decades.
RFMOs in the Long Term
During USCGC MIDGETT’s deployment in support of Operation Blue Pacific, a multi-mission Coast Guard (“USCG”) endeavor promoting security, safety, sovereignty, and economic prosperity in Oceania, the cutter exercised a U.S.-Tuvalu maritime law enforcement agreementallows Tuvaluan law enforcement officials to ride aboard USCG vessels to conduct fisheries boardings under Tuvalu’s jurisdiction. While the stated aim of the agreement (like that of the commission) is to conduct fisheries enforcement for the protection of Pacific fish stocks, many other important gains from such operations are realized during underway operations.
Upon embarking MIDGETT, the Tuvuluan shiprider was given a tour of the asset and interacted with the crew. For the duration of the operation, he took all his meals on the mess deck or wardroom and engaged in discussion regarding fisheries enforcement best practices. With minimal activity in Tuvalu’s exclusive economic zone (“EEZ”), MIDGETT opted to vector towards the high seas for commission boardings. On mission, the shiprider who was a clear regional expert provided sound recommendations to the boarding team regarding frequently fished areas and indicators of potential nefarious activity. In transit, and a true testament to shipboard camaraderie, the shiprider quickly integrated into all functions, attending briefs and meetings but also morale events such as trivia night and country line-dancing. When the brief bilateral mission concluded, the shiprider and crew left as friends, bringing fond memories and positive experiences back to their respective homes.
Lessons Learned
Following engagements such as these, participates can, formally and informally, speak firsthand to: 1) the shared strategic goals of their nation and the United States including protecting fish stocks and fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific, 2) similar normative relations in terms of daily interactions and operational procedures, and 3) newfound cultural similarities in music/culinary interests, sports, etc. Moreover, in the absence of a robust history, participants within these initiatives craft a foundation of experiences that will become a shared history.
Successful exercises trailblaze future operations by providing an example of what the U.S. can bring to the table in terms of capacity building, training, and information exchange. Through building rapport and chemistry amongst operational planners larger, more complex, and more significant engagements can follow. With this battle rhythm, the U.S. can solidify itself as a good-faith investor in the region and trusted partner. We cannot change the past, but we can ensure that in ten years, our critical partners look upon the U.S. as a long-standing friend.
USCG fisheries patrols in support of RFMOs, viewed exclusively as a short-term war on IUUF, constitute a complex uphill battle. Finding violators in the world’s vast oceans are low probability events to begin with and, coupled with the sometimes-weak enforcement arm of RFMOs, may yield unimpressive consequences even upon discovery. However, through these patrols, the USCG is stringing together significant wins for the U.S.’ global standing. By demonstrating commitment to the betterment of global sustainability efforts while forging friendships with new partners, no matter the quantitative results of patrols, the U.S. is executing a winning strategy and should stay the course.
LTJG Logan J. Tobias graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy on 18 May 2022. He is currently a deck watch officer, boarding team member, and Combat Information Center officer aboard the USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757) in Honolulu, Hawaii. These views are his and should not be construed as the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The views expressed in this piece are the sole opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Center for Maritime Strategy or other institutions listed.
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Center for Maritime Strategy
By LTJG Logan J. Tobias
This publication is part two of a two-part series concerning the U.S. Coast Guard’s approach to countering Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing (“IUUF”) in the Western Pacific region. Click here to read Part I about the short-term assessment of the U.S. Coast Guard’s IUUF operations.
The first part of this series discussed how short run limitations on Western and Central Pacific Fisheries (“commission”) patrols can mislead servicemembers and government decision-makers into undervaluing, and consequently under prioritizing, involvement in Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (“RFMOs”) to counter Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fishing (“IUUF”). When considering such patrols in the short run (up to three years) and the long run (beyond three years), divestment in counter-IUUF missions would be a mistake. Foreign policy is not orchestrated in a vacuum. Viewing United States’ commission involvement as a one-dimensional war on IUUF undermines its importance as a stream of aspirational politics and medium to build bona fide friendships. Despite the limitations of the commission enforcement arm and those of similar RFMOs in the short run (discussed in Part I), it is critical that the U.S. remains an active member and ardent supporter of such conventions.
Until the (potential) future point when RFMOs enhance their on-the-scene enforcement capabilities, they figure prominently in the sphere of “aspirational politics.” Aspirational politics serve the dual-purpose of articulating goals and “affirming identity and values.” The U.S. must continue to signal its desire to protect the world’s fish stocks as well as its identity as a power-player in international sustainability efforts. The alternative, where the U.S. turns its back on the impressively representative collective of Pacific nations, would communicate American disinterest globally and threaten the steady growth of RFMOs over the past two decades.
RFMOs in the Long Term
During USCGC MIDGETT’s deployment in support of Operation Blue Pacific, a multi-mission Coast Guard (“USCG”) endeavor promoting security, safety, sovereignty, and economic prosperity in Oceania, the cutter exercised a U.S.-Tuvalu maritime law enforcement agreementallows Tuvaluan law enforcement officials to ride aboard USCG vessels to conduct fisheries boardings under Tuvalu’s jurisdiction. While the stated aim of the agreement (like that of the commission) is to conduct fisheries enforcement for the protection of Pacific fish stocks, many other important gains from such operations are realized during underway operations.
Upon embarking MIDGETT, the Tuvuluan shiprider was given a tour of the asset and interacted with the crew. For the duration of the operation, he took all his meals on the mess deck or wardroom and engaged in discussion regarding fisheries enforcement best practices. With minimal activity in Tuvalu’s exclusive economic zone (“EEZ”), MIDGETT opted to vector towards the high seas for commission boardings. On mission, the shiprider who was a clear regional expert provided sound recommendations to the boarding team regarding frequently fished areas and indicators of potential nefarious activity. In transit, and a true testament to shipboard camaraderie, the shiprider quickly integrated into all functions, attending briefs and meetings but also morale events such as trivia night and country line-dancing. When the brief bilateral mission concluded, the shiprider and crew left as friends, bringing fond memories and positive experiences back to their respective homes.
Lessons Learned
Following engagements such as these, participates can, formally and informally, speak firsthand to: 1) the shared strategic goals of their nation and the United States including protecting fish stocks and fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific, 2) similar normative relations in terms of daily interactions and operational procedures, and 3) newfound cultural similarities in music/culinary interests, sports, etc. Moreover, in the absence of a robust history, participants within these initiatives craft a foundation of experiences that will become a shared history.
Successful exercises trailblaze future operations by providing an example of what the U.S. can bring to the table in terms of capacity building, training, and information exchange. Through building rapport and chemistry amongst operational planners larger, more complex, and more significant engagements can follow. With this battle rhythm, the U.S. can solidify itself as a good-faith investor in the region and trusted partner. We cannot change the past, but we can ensure that in ten years, our critical partners look upon the U.S. as a long-standing friend.
USCG fisheries patrols in support of RFMOs, viewed exclusively as a short-term war on IUUF, constitute a complex uphill battle. Finding violators in the world’s vast oceans are low probability events to begin with and, coupled with the sometimes-weak enforcement arm of RFMOs, may yield unimpressive consequences even upon discovery. However, through these patrols, the USCG is stringing together significant wins for the U.S.’ global standing. By demonstrating commitment to the betterment of global sustainability efforts while forging friendships with new partners, no matter the quantitative results of patrols, the U.S. is executing a winning strategy and should stay the course.
LTJG Logan J. Tobias graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy on 18 May 2022. He is currently a deck watch officer, boarding team member, and Combat Information Center officer aboard the USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757) in Honolulu, Hawaii. These views are his and should not be construed as the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.
The views expressed in this piece are the sole opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Center for Maritime Strategy or other institutions listed.