France is making significant contributions to the management of its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Pacific Ocean, which spans an impressive 6.5 million square kilometers and includes territories such as New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and Futuna. This management is crucial for fostering fisheries sustainability and promoting regional cooperation in the area.
Ambassador Véronique Roger-Lacan, the French Ambassador to the Pacific and Permanent Representative to the Pacific Community, emphasized France’s active role in fisheries conservation, underscoring its membership in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). This membership allows for enhanced oversight, particularly in high seas areas. French Navy vessels registered with the WCPFC bolster control and enforcement efforts, while local territories engage in management discussions that protect fishing access for their fleets, albeit without voting rights.
Furthermore, France collaborates closely with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) by supporting operations from its bases in New Caledonia and French Polynesia. The French military’s assistance plays a vital role in FFA missions, including annual surveillance initiatives like Operation Rai Blang and Operation 365, which together involve approximately 130 days at sea and 50 flight hours each year, covering around two million square kilometers.
Additionally, French territories house regional expertise centers that facilitate operations by embedding analysts in surveillance and enforcement missions. These centers not only enhance the capabilities of FFA Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centres but also improve coordination between French forces and local fisheries authorities.
Beyond fisheries management, the French military’s presence in the Pacific has a crucial role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). Around 2,000 personnel from 19 nations, including various Pacific states, participate in biennial HADR exercises, demonstrating a significant commitment to regional disaster response capabilities and cooperation. Equipment and personnel are routinely deployed from New Caledonia to support other Pacific territories during such operations.
Roger-Lacan noted that French patrols, through both naval and aerial resources, maintain a continuous operational presence in the region. These efforts are integral not only for enforcing fisheries regulations but also for enhancing humanitarian readiness, thereby contributing to broader Pacific security and stability initiatives.
France’s engagement in multilateral frameworks, including the Pacific Quad—which includes Australia, New Zealand, and the USA—reinforces its strategic influence in the region while promoting prosperity and security. The country’s commitment to implementing regional norms and building local capacity illustrates its dedication to long-term partnerships within the Pacific, further solidifying its interests and presence in this vital area.
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