The Republic of Fiji Navy (RFN) officers participated in one of the largest fisheries surveillance operations in the world called Operation Kurukuru.
The 12-day international gig was focused on targeting illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing in the Pacific.
Operation Kurukuru included 15 guardian-class and Pacific patrol boats from Pacific nations operating alongside five Australian Navy, French Navy and United States Coast Guard vessels.
Seven aircraft from the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), quadrilateral and regional partners provided air and satellite surveillance and the use of other emerging technologies during the exercise.
The RFN participated in these regional operations supporting the lead agency offshore department of the Ministry of Fisheries and FRSC with the deployment of RFNS Savenaca into Fiji’s EEZ (exclusive economic zone).
The operations also saw joint dockside boardings at various ports.
The resumption of physical boarding onboard the commercial fishing fleet was also successful with multiple VOI flagged and investigated.
The RFN continues to work with other stakeholders in ramping up maritime security operations.
