THE Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has successfully concluded Operation Island Chief 2024 (OPIC24), a 12-day initiative focused on monitoring and surveillance across the Pacific region to ensure the sustainability of fisheries.
OPIC24 saw the participation of FFA Members, the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (Pacific QUADs), and various partners. Extensive surveillance was conducted to safeguard the marine resources within the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of FFA Members and the Western Central Pacific Ocean.
The operation covered the combined EEZs of 11 participating FFA Members and adjacent high seas pockets, encompassing an area of approximately 18.2 million square kilometres.
FFA Director General Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen said, Operation Island Chief underscores FFA’s unwavering commitment to sustainable fisheries management and maritime security in the Pacific,” Dr Tupou-Roosen said.
“This operation exemplifies the spirit of regional collaboration and determination among Pacific Island nations. Through comprehensive compliance checks of vessels and operators, we are ensuring the effective management and preservation of our marine resources, which are vital for the livelihoods and food security of our people.”
Over 353 vessel contacts were made during OPIC24 using air, surface assets and port States, with a total of 153 boarding inspections conducted both in port and at sea.
Additionally, 206 aircraft sightings and 1,146 satellite detections were recorded.
As a result of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) analysis and inspections, eight vessels of interest (VOIs) were identified and reported to Members for further investigation, with potential infringements related to non-compliance with national and WCPFC conservation management measures.
The success of OPIC24 was made possible through the support of partners such as Starboard Maritime Intelligence, the Canadian Government’s Dark Vessel Detection (DVD) programme, the Joint Analytical Cell (Global Fishing Watch, IMCS Network), the US Military’s Joint Integrated Task Force West (JIATF-W), the Pacific Community (SPC), and the WCPFC Secretariat.
- FFA
Participants in the successful Operation Island Chief 2024
