Operation Island Chief 2024 has successfully concluded after a 12-day initiative by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, aimed at monitoring and surveillance to promote sustainable fisheries in the Pacific region.
The operation involved collaboration between FFA Members and the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group, covering an extensive area of 18.2 million square kilometers.
Significant achievements included the identification of over 353 vessel contacts, conducting 153 inspections, observing 206 aircraft, and detecting 1,146 activities via satellite.
Additionally, eight vessels were flagged for potential violations of conservation measures.
Thirteen FFA Members participated in this operation, which employed remote sensing and cooperative surveillance techniques.
Ahead of the operation, training sessions were offered, and various partners, including Starboard Maritime Intelligence and the Canadian Government’s Dark Vessel Detection program, lent their support.