Last week the Republic of Fiji Navy and Ministry of Fisheries successfully completed the surveillance initiative, Operation Island Chief, with nations from the region.
The Republic of Fiji Navy reported on its social media update that the RFNS Savenanca was deployed to cover the south west and western sector of the Fijian exclusive economic zone in an effort to continuously support and engage in such operations.
“Despite the weather and some defects onboard the RFNS Savenaca managed to interdict seven vessels during the OP,” the navy stated.
“Boarding and inspections were also conducted in harbour led by the Ministry of Fisheries.”
The RFN said the Australian supported FFA aircraft also operated out of Nadi and actively supported the operation.
According to a media release by Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Operation Island Chief covered an expansive 18.2 million square kilometres of FFA member EEZs and high seas, which demonstrated the power of collaboration in protecting the Pacific region from illegal fishing activities and safeguarding against illegal vessels.
FFA director-general, Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen said the 12-day operation emphasised the role of local expertise which included the Pacific waters of 11 member nations.
“Our Pacific personnel possess substantial experience, making these collaborations vital to our ongoing success,” she noted.
FFA reported that the operation engaged nearly 350 personnel from various units which included the navy, maritime police, air force and national fisheries bodies.
Alongside the FFA Aerial Surveillance aircraft, a total of seven ships, six aircraft, and advanced remote sensing detection technology were employed, enhancing the operation’s maritime surveillance capacity along with additional support from FFA partners.
FFA stated that Operation Island Chief aimed to enhance data collation, analysis, and filtering to inform both national and regional surveillance and promoting coordinated monitoring efforts among member countries in the high seas.
In other updates, the Rescue Coordination Center Fiji last week received an SOS distress for a yacht with one pob (Persons on board) that struck a reef in the vicinity of Solo lighthouse, Kadavu and was taking in water.
In a coordinated effort with the Fiji Police Force, a volunteer rescue team from Kokomo Island Resort was tasked for the rescue.
