I just ignore those objectives for now... loose some renown, but I make that up by sinking alot of capital ships. As I suggested, try reloading a save after having patrolled the area for a while - it worked for me once in the 'Engage merchant shipping' type mission. No idea why, though.
And I have no clue how large an area you are supposed to patrol, I don't think it's grid sensitive, though?
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