US Coast Guard to help countries struggling with EEZ protectionMANILA, Philippines — Washington is open to assist island nations, particularly in the Pacific, in enforcing their own exclusive economic zones (EEZ). Vice Admiral Linda Fagan, commander of the US Coast Guard Pacific Area, said Washington is focused on bolstering the ability of its partners and allies in protecting their sovereignty. Assistance could be in sending a team to train a country's coast guard in fisheries enforcement boarding to guard against fishing incursions, Fagan said. Stressing that the deployment of Stratton is consistent with a rules-based international system, Fagan said the US Coast Guard is committed to a safe, secure and predictable conduct of vessels navigating on the high seas. In the same briefing, Fagan confirmed that Washington is monitoring Beijing's deployment of militia boats in the disputed South China Sea.

Source: Philippine Star June 12, 2019 04:30 UTC