Maritime sovereignty & enforcement: A Pacific fisheries law expert, Dr Transform Aqorau, says “Ship Rider Agreements” are often misunderstood and actually strengthen coastal-state control by keeping enforcement authority with the country that owns the EEZ. Regional context for Niue travelers: The debate matters for Niue’s wider ocean environment—these arrangements are designed to help Pacific states patrol and protect fisheries rights when they lack ships, aircraft, and funding, using partner support while authorised local officers continue to apply Niuean law. Policy pushback: In the Solomon Islands, the agreements have sparked sovereignty concerns from opposition leaders, but Aqorau argues partner vessels only provide transport, communications, accommodation, and operational support—so “the authority never changes hands.”