Hey there! Have you ever heard of the Pacific Ocean? It’s the biggest ocean on Earth, and it’s home to many beautiful islands and countries, known as the Pacific Island Countries (or PICs for short). Countries like Fiji, Samoa, and Tuvalu are all part of this amazing region!
Recently, the United States has been making special agreements with these island countries called “shiprider agreements.” But what are these, and why does it matter? Let’s find out together!
What Are Shiprider Agreements? 🚢
A “shiprider agreement” is a deal between countries that lets officers from one country ride along on another country’s ships, especially Coast Guard or Navy ships. This way, they can work together to keep the ocean safe from things like illegal fishing, smuggling, or other bad activities.
For example, a law enforcement officer from Fiji might be on a U.S. Coast Guard ship, helping to keep an eye on what’s happening in the waters near Fiji.
Why Is the U.S. Interested? 🤔
The U.S. says these agreements help make the ocean safer and build stronger friendships with the Pacific Islands. But some people wonder if there’s more to the story.
With these agreements, U.S. ships can go into the waters of these island countries more easily. That means they can do things like checking other ships or patrolling the area without always asking for permission.
What Do the Pacific Islands Get? 🌴
The Pacific Island Countries hope to get help protecting their vast ocean areas. They might not have many ships or resources to watch over all their waters. By working with bigger countries like the U.S., they can keep their waters safer.
However, some people think that these agreements might not be entirely fair. Since the island countries are smaller, they might not get as much out of the deal as the U.S. does.
Why Does It Matter? 🌐
The ocean is important to all of us. It’s where we get food, it’s home to amazing creatures, and it affects our climate. It’s important that countries work together to take care of it.
But it’s also important that all countries, big or small, feel their voices are heard and their rights are respected. When making agreements, it’s good to make sure everyone benefits fairly.
Let’s Think! 🧐
What do you think about these agreements? Do you think they’re helpful? How can countries big and small work together to take care of our oceans?
The world is connected, and even though we might live far from the Pacific Islands, what happens there can affect us all. So let’s keep learning and caring about our beautiful planet! 🌍
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
