International partners join forces to protect Pacific fish stocks
In mid-2024, 24 officials from Australia, France, New Zealand, the United States of America, Fiji, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands and the Forum Fisheries Agency joined forces for Operation Nasse.
The operation is an annual fisheries monitoring, control, and surveillance activity which detects, deters, and disrupts illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing on the high seas of the western and central Pacific Ocean.
Australia hosted the joint coordination centre at the head office of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority in Canberra.
Participating countries contributed aerial and sea assets including Offshore Patrol Vessel Nemesis from the New South Wales Police Force, DASH-8 from the Australian Border Force, P8-A from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, French Ship Vendémiare and GARDIAN aircraft from the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia, a HC130-J C2012 from the United States Coast Guard, and Cook Islands Pacific-class Patrol Boat Te Kukupa II from the Cook Islands Maritime Police.
High seas are those waters outside of the jurisdiction of any one country. Located at least 370 km from land, they are remote, wild, and can be dangerous. Aerial and sea assets were deployed during challenging weather conditions to conduct:
- 20 port inspections,
- 12 surveillance flights which observed more than 80 fishing vessels,
- 6 high seas boarding and inspections, and
- 4 radio interrogations.
Through conducting high seas boarding and inspection, Operation Nasse supports the enforcement of Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission conservation and management measures and is responsible for protecting and managing access to fish species that migrate through multiple exclusive economic zones and the high seas of the western and central Pacific Ocean.
Coinciding with the peak of the Pacific tuna fishing season, the operation plays an important role in preventing over exploitation of tuna species. Tuna is significant to the economy of many Pacific Island nations and provides vital employment and development opportunities in the region.
Several potential breaches were identified, and operation partners will be working with flag State fisheries authorities to ensure they are appropriately investigated and actioned. These include compliance with seabird mitigation measures that are in place to ensure the impact from interactions with commercial fishing vessels is kept to a minimum.
Mr Wez Norris, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, opened the joint command centre with Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, Commander of Australia’s Maritime Border Command.
Mr Norris welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of international partnerships in achieving results through Operation Nasse.
“The strong partnership between Australia, France, New Zealand, the United States of America enables cooperation and collaboration critical to protecting the shared marine resources of the Pacific. The participation of Fiji, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands and the Forum Fisheries Agency this year is testament to the strength of cooperation.”
“This year’s operation has seen the largest ever participation by Pacific Island nations, and I hope to see increased participation by our Pacific partners in the future.
“Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is a global problem. It damages the environment and impacts the livelihoods of commercial fishing operators and robs our region of critical resources.
“Operation Nasse demonstrates that together, we can make a significant impact on illegal fishing”, said Mr Norris.
