Tonga official says division between Fiji/Tonga EEZ unclear

A Tongan government official now said they are not clear where Fiji's exclusive economic zone ends and where Tonga's zone begins.

Fijivillage questioned the Special Adviser to the Tongan Prime Minister, Ahongalu Fusimalohi on why Tonga is saying that its navy picked up Ratu Tevita Uluilakeba Mara from Southern Ono-i-Lau when Fiji's preliminary investigations state that he was illegally extracted from the Fiji waters, one nautical mile Northwest of Cape Washington in Kadavu.

Fusimalohi said they were answering the distress call.

But we asked him again on whether the Tongan navy vessel, Savea entered the Fiji waters to pick up Ratu Tevita.

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However local authorities have told us that under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, maritime zones are clearly demarcated.


Story by: Vijay Narayan