15/09/2026
The Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, FFA, Australian Defence Force Joint Operations Command, U.S. Coast Guard, and regional partners recently completed Operation Island Chief, a maritime surveillance activity combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing throughout the Pacific.
From Aug. 4-15, participants from Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga, and Vanuatu conducted 100 boardings, including 53 in port and 47 at sea. An additional 100 vessel sightings were recorded and 12 vessels of interest were identified.
The Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft and aircrew conducted aerial surveillance patrols and captured images of suspicious activity for FFA analysis.
Pacific Quadrilateral Defense Coordinating Group (P-QUAD) partners Australia, New Zealand, France, and the U.S. supported coordination of the operation at the FFA’s Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre in Honiara, Solomon Islands. U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District representatives identified potential vessels of interest and assisted in the planning of enforcement and surveillance activities.
This coordinated effort demonstrated the strength of Pacific partnerships in protecting valuable marine resources and ensuring a stable, secure future for the region.
