A surveillance operation over 18.4 million square kms of the South Pacific Ocean to detect, deter, report and apprehend potential illegal, unregulated or unreported (IUU) fishing activities last month did not locate any infringements.

Operation Island Chief 2019 was undertaken from 8-23 August, with two days of training prior, led by the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

The operation covered an area greater than Russia.

FFA Director Fisheries Operations, Allan Rahari said this operation is not new.

“It is an on-going operation that FFA has led for several years and we have found that lately there have been no infringements, which is a very good sign.”

The operation involved eight patrol boats and eight aircraft including the FFA managed aircraft, and involved over 250 personnel from the navy, police, air force and national fisheries bodies from the Pacific.

The countries involved included Australia, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste and Vanuatu, and involved the Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (QUADs) – Australia, New Zealand, France and the United States.

There were also 14 seconded from Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Australia and the United States working closely with the team at FFA’s Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre (RFSC). 

Allan Rahari said the operation taught them to experience how the Operations Room works during a multilateral and multi-nation operation.

“The object is for these officers to be able to put into practice what they have learned in the RFSC when they return to their own headquarters during their own surveillance operations.”

Leading Seaman, Viliame Matakibau from Fiji found the operation challenging as Chief of Staff.

“OPIC19 has been a very challenging one for me. Last time I was part of Operation KuruKuru 2017 as a Watchkeeper. My understanding of the role of the Chief of Staff was just administration and logistics.”

“But now the role is more an operational role. Situational awareness was key to getting the task and Operation going as a Chief of Staff.”

With capacity building, Viliame found the OPIC19 really helped him with the “roles and responsibilities in looking after the Watchkeeper” for this operation.

“I also learnt how the RFSC operates during any operation. Overall, it was a good operation and I’m really looking forward to future FFA-led operations.” 

The operation concluded over 90 days at sea with 272 vessels sighted and 126 boardings at sea and in port. The operation also covered 137 hours of air surveillance.

The FFA Director General is Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen, who is from Tonga.

The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency [2] (FFA) assists its 17-member countries including Tonga, to sustainably manage fishery resources that fall within their 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs).