Regional cooperation in the Pacific

Australia has a long history of working together with Pacific Island partners to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in our region. Through regional cooperation, countries can address IUU fishing challenges together, ensuring Pacific fish stocks are managed sustainably and maritime security is maintained.

This cooperation ensures vessels comply with measures adopted by Pacific Island countries and territories to manage their fisheries resources, and those agreed through International Fisheries Management Organisations (IFMOs).

Who do we work with?

In the Pacific, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) works with regional partners to deliver training for Pacific Island fisheries officers. Our delivery partners include the:

• Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA)
• Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office (PNAO)
• Pacific Community (SPC), and 
• University of the South Pacific (USP).
   

Regional operations

AFMA also take part in regional operations and enforcement activities coordinated by the FFA Secretariat, largely using the Niue Treaty Subsidiary Agreement for more effective participation. Our involvement in these operations includes:

• embedding fisheries officers in the FFA Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre in in the Solomon Islands
• having fisheries officers on patrol platforms
• remote monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS), and intelligence support. 

We also engage with other regional surveillance partners including the Pacific Quadrilateral Defence Coordinating Group (Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States) in running coordinated patrols to detect and deter IUU fishing on the high seas, including the annual Operation NASSE.

Sharing resources

Pacific cooperation allows for the sharing of resources and information to enhance the regional MCS framework. By sharing patrol boats, aerial surveillance, fisheries officers, licensing information, locations of vessels, and intelligence on vessels suspected of undertaking illegal activities, FFA members are able to take more effective actions in combating IUU fishing and maintaining the sustainability of Pacific fish stocks.