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A contingent from the Australian Defence Force, including the RAAF, has supported the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency’s regional surveillance mission, Operation Kurukuru.
The deployment last month was a part of Australia’s Operation Solania, an ongoing contribution to maritime and aerial monitoring across the Pacific, aimed at strengthening regional security and protecting vital fisheries resources.
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Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, emphasised the importance of using Australian Defence Force assets to help protect the resources that economies and communities in the Pacific Islands rely on.
“Operation Solania allows the ADF to use its aerial surveillance capability to support the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) in the deterrence of illegal fishing, which costs Pacific island countries hundreds of millions of dollars in lost income.”
“The ADF takes every opportunity to prioritise its assets in working with Pacific partners to protect regional security and prosperity. As family, we step in to help each other,” Jones added.
A RAAF C-27J Spartan aircraft, along with crew from No. 35 Squadron, conducted an aerial surveillance over the Federated States of Micronesia to observe vessels suspected of transnational criminal activity.
Detachment commander and C-27J Spartan captain Lieutenant Thomas Johnston emphasised that the crew involved successfully provided a strong contribution and presence to the operation.
“35 Squadron documented three vessels suspected of engaging in illegal fishing and suspicious activity,” LT Johnston said.
“We were able to provide this information to the FFA, enabling fisheries officers to effectively investigate fishing vessels at sea.”
The activity was conducted to highlight “the support the ADF provides the FFA ensures fishing benefits go towards fishers who respect laws and sovereign rights”, VADM Jones said.
