Operation Rai Balang enhances Pacific Maritime Security and Fisheries Sustainability
Enhancing maritime security and promoting sustainable fisheries management across the Pacific are key outcomes of Operation Rai Balang.
Operation Rai Balang is a collaborative effort led by the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) aimed at enhancing maritime security and promoting sustainable fisheries management across the Pacific region. It involves coordination among FFA member countries, the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (Pacific QUADs), and partner nations to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. The operation typically involves patrols, surveillance, boarding activities, and intelligence-led operations to protect the marine resources of Pacific Island nations and the Western Central Pacific Ocean.
Dr. Manu Tupou-Roosen, Director-General of the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), emphasized the significance of the FFA-led Operation Rai Balang.
“This operation exemplifies the spirit of regional collaboration and determination among Pacific Island nations. 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,” said Dr Tupou-Roosen.
Over the course of two weeks, Operation Rai Balang saw the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), its members, the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (Pacific QUADs), and partners working together to safeguard 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 covered the combined area of the 10 participating members’ Economic Exclusion Zones (EEZs) and adjacent high seas pockets, covering an area of operation (AO) of approximately 13.3 million square kilometers, which is over two times the landmass of Australia.
Source: FFA
