Teamwork between Bermuda and the United States Coast Guard is growing beyond cracking down on illegal fishing in the island’s water, according to US Consul General Karen Grissette.

The partnership is to expand in the areas of search and rescue, law enforcement and environmental protection.

The Bermuda office of the US Consulate General hosted a visit to the island recently by Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath, Commander of the US Coast Guard’s Mid-Atlantic region.

Ms Grissette said the trip highlighted “our shared security interests”.

It follows an operation this April against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Atlantic waters, when the US teamed with the Bermuda Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Royal Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Coastguard Unit and Bermuda Police Service.

The latest visit continues the Fifth Coast Guard District’s work with Bermuda against illegal fishing, particularly near the US and Bermudian exclusive economic zones.

Bermuda’s EEZ extends 200 miles from the island.

The Rear Admiral met with Tom Oppenheim, the Acting Governor, and Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier, along with local security officials.

Mr Gilreath, who took command of the Fifth Coast Guard District in May, said of the visit: “We appreciate the partnership established with Bermuda and look forward to future operations together.”

He directs all US Coast Guard missions from the North Carolina and South Carolina border to New Jersey, encompassing nearly 3,000 personnel.

This area spans 1.4 million square miles of water.