More than 353 vessel contacts were documented during Operation Island Chief 2024 (OPIC24), a collaborative effort aimed at monitoring and overseeing fisheries sustainability in the Pacific region. As the operation concluded earlier this week, eight vessels of interest (VOIs) were flagged for potentially violating sustainable fishing regulations.
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) reported that these VOIs were identified through Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) analysis and inspections, citing potential breaches of both national laws and the Western Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) conservation measures.
During the 12-day operation, extensive surveillance was carried out to protect marine resources within the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of FFA member nations, as well as adjacent high seas areas. A total of 153 boarding inspections were conducted at sea and in ports, complemented by 206 aircraft sightings and 1,146 satellite detections.
The operation involved collaboration among FFA members, the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (Pacific QUADs), and various partners, spanning a combined area of approximately 18.2 million square kilometers across 11 participating countries.
Dr. Manu Tupou-Roosen, the FFA director-general, emphasized the operation’s commitment to sustainable fisheries management and maritime security in the Pacific. He highlighted the importance of enforcing compliance among vessel operators to protect vital marine resources that support the livelihoods and food security of local communities.
Thirteen FFA members, including Australia, Fiji, Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, took part in OPIC24. Support came from technology partners and personnel from Pacific QUADs nations—Australia, France, New Zealand, and the US.
Focus areas for the operation included boarding procedures, cooperative surveillance activities between FFA members and Pacific QUADs countries, and the utilization of remote sensing data from Canada, the US, and New Zealand to enhance intelligence-driven operations.
Prior to OPIC24, the FFA Secretariat and its partners hosted training sessions from July 29 to August 2, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of 25 participants from various organizations, including several military and maritime agencies across the region.
Additional support partners included Starboard Maritime Intelligence, Canada’s Dark Vessel Detection program, the Joint Analytical Cell, the US Military’s Joint Integrated Task Force, the Pacific Community, and the WCPFC Secretariat.