HMS Tamar helping Fiji curb drug trade and illegal fishing in our waters

HMS Tamar, a British Royal Navy vessel permanently based in the Pacific, is currently in the country helping the government curb illicit drug trade in our waters.

The British Royal vessel also plays the role of intercepting drug traffickers and smugglers, providing humanitarian aid during natural disasters and protecting the United Kingdom's territorial waters.

The Deputy British High Commissioner to Fiji, Nicola Noble, says the Tamar has no port, so they can quickly adjust to the port it visits and look after its exclusive economic zone, helping to counter illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

Noble says the UK military is now working more closely than ever with the Fijian military, whether it is patrol at sea, exercises on land or even sports tours.

She jokingly said that based on last week's results at the Marist 7's and for the sake of morale, she is not sure they should encourage any more rugby teams to visit because they never stood a chance.

Noble adds this operation was made possible with the help of other stakeholders from the Ministry of Fisheries, the Republic of Fiji Navy Ship Riders and a New Zealand boarding team, which together were able to board and inspect other vessels.

She stressed that these partnered patrols pave the way for future collaboration with a range of different partners.

She says that large-scale problems such as maritime security in the 21st century are the world's pressing issues that require collective solutions.

She reiterates that collaboration is essential, and the work of HMS Tamar is a fantastic example of that.