The U.S. Coastguard flagship was used to combat Guyana’s illegal offshore fishing
– conducting “multi-month” patrols
Kaieteur News – The USCGC Stone crew (WMSL 758) from Pascagoula, Mississippi, left last Tuesday, just before Christmas, for a multi-month South Atlantic location counteracting illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, while strengthen relationships for maritime sovereignty and security throughout the region.
The brand new national security cutter of the Legend class, a leading U.S. Coast Guard, will provide presence and support national security objectives throughout the Atlantic.
This patrol is the cutter’s initial shaky cruise, following its delivery in November, a statement from the US Coast Guard said yesterday.
“This is the first service patrol to South America in recent memory, engaging with partners including Guyana, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and Portugal. The cutter also initiated an observer from the Portuguese navy throughout the operation. ”
Operation Southern Cross is run in conjunction with US Southern Command, which is responsible for managing operations in Central and South America by working collaboratively to ensure that the Western Hemisphere is safe, free and prosperous.
“In September 2020, the Coast Guard released the IUU’s Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing Strategic Outlook, which reaffirms our commitment to global maritime security, regional stability, and economic prosperity,” he said the statement.
A few months ago, Guyana and the United States signed agreements to increase security for this area.
Guyana has observed a year in commercial oil production.
“The US Coast Guard is committed to protecting living marine resources. IUU fishing threatens the health of fish stocks and adversely affects those who follow global norms and national laws. This is a global issue, and IUU is too big a problem for any one nation. Only by working together can we protect livelihoods, ensure ports remain economically productive, and support the sustainable fisheries industry. Stone patrol demonstrates our commitment to the established rule-based command in tackling IUU fishing wherever the Coastguard cutter is used. ”
This is according to Vice Admiral Steven Poulin, commander of the US Coast Guard Atlantic Area.
“I am very proud of the professional men and women I serve alongside. Assembling a crew and preparing a cutter to the sea is not easy – but this crew has had to perform this difficult task when observing protective measures associated with the Coronavirus-19 pandemic. The crew and I will look at this historic first voyage, as Stone begins a storytelling career of service to this nation. In balancing training and qualification requirements, Stone’s crew will engage with partner nations in South America in a bid to curb illegal fishing tactics. ”
This was also revealed by Captain Adam Morrison, commanding officer of USCGC Stone (WMSL 758).
Nearly half of the world’s population relies on fish for 20 percent of their animal protein. IUU fishing eliminates access to this valuable protein source, especially to the most vulnerable coastal States.
The first sale value of global fish production in 2018 is $ 401 billion.
“IUU fishing results in tens of billions of dollars of revenue lost to legal anglers each year.”
The U.S. Coast Guard, of the world’s best marine fish stocks, said 93 percent were classified as fully exploited, overused or significantly depleted.
“IUU fishing undermines the sustainable management of these resources, pushing them to their limits.”
The ships are 418 feet (127 meters) long with a 54-foot beam and displace 4,500 tons at full load. They have a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 miles, an endurance of 60 days, and a crew of about 120.