Operation Island Chief 2024 has successfully wrapped up after a 12-day initiative led by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. The operation aimed at monitoring and surveillance to promote sustainable fisheries in the Pacific region.
Participating members included FFA Members and the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group, covering a vast area of 18.2 million square kilometers.
The key results from the operation featured over 353 vessel contacts, 153 inspections, 206 aircraft sightings, and 1,146 satellite detections. Notably, eight vessels were identified as potentially non-compliant with conservation measures.
The operation included the involvement of 13 FFA Members and employed remote sensing in addition to cooperative surveillance strategies. Ahead of the operation, training was conducted, and various partners, such as Starboard Maritime Intelligence and the Canadian Government’s Dark Vessel Detection program, extended their support.