Fiji disputes Tonga reef claim

ABC News - 

The Fijian government has again asserted ownership over a reef also claimed by neighbouring Tonga.

The Minerva Reefs lie south of Fiji and Tonga, and were claimed by Tonga nearly four decades ago.

But Fiji has again disputed the claim, stating the area is within Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Fiji Village website reports the Fiji government has used the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to show that geographical coordinates back up their claim on the reef.

Late last year Fiji was told Tonga was undertaking construction work on the reef, prompting the Fijian government to make an official protest.

Earlier this week, Tonga accused the Fiji military of deliberately vandalising a navigation beacon on Minerva.

There's been tension between the Pacific neighbours after a Tongan Patrol boat was involved in the escape of Ratu Tevita Mara, a senior Fiji military officer facing sedition charges.

He's currently in Tonga under the protection of the royal family

A Tongan government statement says there is strong evidence to suggest that the Fiji military caused the damage to the safety beacon

The reef is a popular fishing ground and diving spot.

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