Fire on Chinese Fishing Vessel Raises Marine Safety Concerns in Fiji

A recent fire incident on board the Chinese fishing vessel, Dae Jin, at Suva Harbor in Fiji has raised concerns about marine safety in the country. The 24-year-old Fiji-flagged longliner had just finished unloading its catch when a fire broke out in the engine room. Fortunately, all 12 crew members, including Chinese and Indonesian nationals, were able to escape with minor injuries. The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) is investigating the cause of the fire, and the Fiji Ports Authority has sent a tug to remove the burnt vessel from the port.

This incident comes amid efforts to address the issue of abandoned fishing shipwrecks near Suva Harbor. As operating costs in the Pacific region rise, some companies are leaving vessels in remote islands. In Fiji, there are 25 abandoned vessels near Suva Harbor, mostly owned by Chinese companies. This poses environmental and navigation risks to other vessels passing through the area. MSAF CEO Joeli Cawaki mentioned that some owners have helped in the clean-up process, but others have refused to comply with removal notices.

The abandoned vessels may have been operating illegally without licenses and salvage coverage, leaving local authorities responsible for disposal and clean-up costs. MSAF estimates that it would cost $170,000 to dispose of all abandoned shipwrecks in Fiji. With an extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and an influx of foreign-owned fishing vessels, Fiji may face more cases of abandoned vessels in the future. However, the country has not yet ratified the Nairobi Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, which could provide a legal basis for states to remove dangerous shipwrecks. Ratifying this convention could support Fiji’s efforts in marine debris removal, following the example of other Pacific Island countries like Cook Islands, Marshall Islands, Palau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Nauru.

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