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The Australian Defence Force has teamed up with Pacific neighbours in a push to fight against “illegal, unreported and unregulated” fishing.
Operating under Operation Solania, the Royal Australian Air Force has deployed a C-27J Spartan to the Cook Islands to provide additional aid to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) which is undertaking a specified operation to detect and deter illegal fishing.
Operation Tui Moana is the FFA’s maritime operation that uses Guardian Class patrol boats and trained officials to conduct thorough surveillance efforts in the wider Pacific region.
With support from the ADF and Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group, Australian personnel are responsible for patrolling over 100,000 square kilometres of Pacific water.
“Australia continues to prioritise our region by deploying ADF assets to support Pacific-led arrangements that safeguard regional prosperity and security,” said Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones.
“Working together to deliver Pacific-led, Australian-backed solutions to Pacific security challenges is essential to ensuring our region’s stability and protecting our sovereignty.”
Australia is additionally involved with the Pacific Maritime Security Program, which was responsible for providing additional funding to Operation Tui Moana, allowing for more intricate and coordinated patrols across regional nations including Fiji and Tuvalu.
Flight Lieutenant Sean Joyce, Detachment Commander and C-27J Spartan captain, said Australia’s involvement with these programs and missions represents the wider contribution to ensuring peace and security in neighboring regions.
“Australia worked closely with FFA members, including Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 42 Squadron in Cook Islands, and His Majesty’s Armed Forces in Tonga, identifying 12 vessels of interest suspected of illegal fishing in Tonga and Cook Islands’ exclusive economic zones,” FLTLT Joyce said.
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