U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Discusses 'Transnational Crime' at Maritime Security Symposium

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Gabrielle Blake, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, attended the 2015 Maritime Security Symposium Oct. 11 aboard the new Japanese destroyer, JDS Izumo (DDH-183).

He spoke with military leadership from several nations, encouraging collaboration and partnership building.

Aucoin discussed maritime security issues, focusing on 'transnational crime.'

"By 'transnational crime' I am referring to piracy, human trafficking, the smuggling of drugs and arms, the transfer of weapons of mass destruction and illegal, unregulated, or unreported fishing," said Aucoin. "All of these are thus security threats."

Aucoin stressed the importance of confronting these issues in order to promote stability.

"I encourage others in the region to work collectively to advance our common goals," said Aucoin. "We have a solid framework of cooperation, collaboration, and friendship, on which to build multilateral forums to respond to the numerous maritime threats to our collective security."

"Meeting face-to-face in forums like this, in which like-minded maritime forces gather to study and discuss possible solutions, is so important," said Aucoin. "It will take all of us working together to find the answers that will provide our nations' citizens a more prosperous and more peaceful world."

The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet, 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict.