Competition over food resources is hardly new, but the rising twin threats of IUU fishing and climate change are bringing a new threat to the forefront of global security: international fishery conflict. In order to mitigate these risks, the US Navy and Coast Guard can build a coalition of international partners to increase strategic cooperation and prioritization on the water.
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The U.S. Coast Guard’s new Legend-class national security cutter, USCGC Stone (WMSL 758), has departed from Pascagoula, Mississippi on its first patrol to the South Atlantic to counter illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing.
The multi-month deployment marks the Coast Guard’s first patrol to South America in recent memory and will include partners in Guyana, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, and Portugal. The cutter also embarked an observer from the Portuguese navy for the operation’s duration.
The brand new Legend-class national security cutter, one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s flagships, will provide a presence and support national security objectives throughout the Atlantic. The patrol is the cutter’s initial shakedown cruise following its delivery from Huntington Ingalls in November.