US Agrees to Expand Samoa and Coast Guard Cooperation

The United States and the Independent State of Samoa on Friday signed an addendum to an existing 2012 agreement to continue and expand cooperation to tackle transnational crime at sea, including a provision that essentially deputizes U.S. Coast Guard patrols to enforce Samoan regulations within the island nation's territorial waters.

"In partnership with Samoa, the United States stands committed to safeguarding and ensuring security of Samoa's economic exclusive zone, by preserving its marine resources, environment [and] promoting sustainable development for future generations," U.S. Embassy in Samoa's Charge d'Affaires Noriko Horiuchi said in a statement released by the Coast Guard's Honolulu-­headquartered District 14.

District 14 oversees all U.S. Coast Guard operations across Oceania and the Western Pacific. The U.S. Coast Guard regularly conducts operations in the waters of Pacific Island nations through "shiprider agreements," in which local officials and law enforcement professionals ride along in U.S. vessels, giving local authorities access to U.S. personnel and resources to assist in operations.