Enhancing maritime security and promoting sustainable fisheries management across the Pacific is a key outcome of Operation Rai Balang, which has just come to a close.
‘This operation exemplifies the spirit of regional collaboration and determination among Pacific Island nations,’ said Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) Director General, Dr Manu Tupou-Roosen, highlighting the significance of the FFA-led Operation Rai Balang.
‘By tackling IUU fishing head-on, we are not only preserving our marine resources but also securing the livelihoods and food security of our people. Operation Rai Balang reinforces FFA’s commitment to sustainable fisheries management and maritime security in the Pacific.’
The two-week Operation saw Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), Members, Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (Pacific QUADs) and partners safeguarding the invaluable marine resources of Pacific Island nations and the Western Central Pacific Ocean.
Eleven FFA Members participated – Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu) alongside assets and personnel from the Pacific QUADs- Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States.
Operation Rai Balang was conducted in the combined area of the ten participating members’ EEZs and the adjacent high seas pockets in an area of operation covering approximately 13.3 million square kilometres.
Operation Rai Balang, has an emphasis on boarding activities, cooperative surveillance engagements among FFA Members and the Pacific QUADs countries and the use of remote sensing information to drive intelligence led operation.
