The conclusion of Operation Rai Balang marks a significant step towards enhancing maritime security and promoting sustainable fisheries management across the Pacific.

Dr. Manu Tupou-Roosen, Director General of the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), said the importance of this collaborative effort in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is vital to the region.

“This operation demonstrates the spirit of regional collaboration and determination among Pacific Island nations. By directly addressing IUU fishing, we not only safeguard our marine resources but also protect the livelihoods and food security of our people. Operation Rai Balang underscores FFA’s dedication to sustainable fisheries management and maritime security in the Pacific,” stated Dr. Tupou-Roosen.

Over the course of two weeks, Operation Rai Balang brought together FFA Members, the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordination Group (Pacific QUADs), and partners to protect the invaluable marine resources of Pacific Island nations and the Western Central Pacific Ocean.

Eleven FFA Members participated, including Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI), Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. They were joined by assets and personnel from the Pacific QUADs countries: Australia, France, New Zealand, and the United States.

“Operation Rai Balang covered the combined Economic Exclusion Zones (EEZs) of the 10 participating Members and adjacent high seas pockets, spanning an operational area of approximately 13.3 million square kilometers—over twice the landmass of Australia.

This operation focused on boarding activities, cooperative surveillance engagements among FFA Members and Pacific QUADs countries, and the utilization of remote sensing information to facilitate intelligence-led operations.